What is that White Stuff in the Air?

It looks like Winter has finally returned to Southeastern Wisconsin on the second Friday in February.  We have a frontal system moving in from Canada pushing down into our area today that will drop temperatures into a more winter like pattern.  Before those temperatures drop we'll have some bands of snow and if you are near the lakeshore, some enhanced lake effect snow bands, that could drop as much as 3" of snow.  Most areas will see anywhere from 1-3" and a few spots south of Milwaukee and near the lakeshore could see 4".  With the strong pressure gradient in place, we'll see blowing and drifting with any snow that does fall this afternoon.  The snow will let up by rush hour but traveling will still have to done carefully.

Yes, the white stuff is in the air!  The rest of the weekend will bring us strong north-northwesterly winds along with some very cold temperatures.  Wind chill readings will be below zero at times tomorrow before another chance of snow on Monday and a warm up by Tuesday and Wednesday.  

FINALLY! Snow in the Forecast

    Wisconsin, welcome to Winter!  A snowstorm is in the forecast beginning tomorrow into Friday and accompanied with that potential the National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for most of eastern and central Wisconsin.  Most likely this will eventually switch over to a Winter Storm Warning for most of the area and the remaining area that is not under a warning will be under an advisory.

    The potential is there to get as much as a foot of snow through Friday in some areas.  Yesterday, most of the models finally came to agree with one another that a significant snowstorm was imminent.  Northeastern Wisconsin is forecast for 6-10”, southeastern Wisconsin could see anywhere from 8-12”, and parts of central Wisconsin (including portions of the Fox Valley) could see anywhere from 8-14”. (See the link on front page of my blog NAM/GFS snowfall totals for up-to-date snow forecasts)

   Associated with this storm will be a significant drop in temperatures along with some strong winds that could cause blowing and drifting along there areas of snowfall.  Temperatures will dip into the 20s for high temperatures by Friday and into the single digits by Friday night.

    So in other words, enjoy the last nice January day today as temperatures will reach around 50 degrees but weather conditions will begin to deteriorate late tonight. 
 

With January, Will We See Snow Soon?

    We have now entered the month of January and we are still well below average for snow fall here in southeastern Wisconsin.  We have seen just under 2” of snow and for the next few days that will not change.  Although the past few days we have seen more “winter-like” conditions with highs in the 20s, we have yet to see the full force snow storm that hinders many in the dark winter season.

    Over the weekend we did see a storm disturbance drop a few inches of snow to most of Wisconsin and we even felt the winter cold with our coldest temperatures of the season yesterday but when will we see old man winter?  Well, for you snow lovers, it is not looking good as we will see a warm front push across the area later this week helping temperatures up into the middle 40s for southeastern Wisconsin.  

    For you snow lovers, you will have to wait until next week to see any chance of some snow.   Next Thursday and Saturday appears to be our next best chance as two areas of disturbance, back to back, will race across the Great Lakes and give us that chance of some winter weather.   Both could give us accumulating snow.  Things could change from now until then but those systems will be next time we see snow anytime soon.

Ten Christmas Gifts A Meteorologist Couldn’t Refuse

Ever wonder what a meteorologist or a weather enthusiast would want for Christmas?  Well I devised a little list for anyone thinking about purchasing a gift for a weatherman, HINT HINT ;) .  ENJOY!

• Autograph picture of Tom Skilling and Jim Cantore

• A freaking weather radio, DUH!

• Video clip of Reed Timmer getting swept up by a tornado

• A dog that can predict the weather

• Their very own Doppler radar

• The movie, Twister

• Indoor/Outdoor Weather Station

• A Free Year of the Internet! (How can we forecast without it)

• Tornado in a Bottle Kit

• The Weather Channel T-Shirt

Unpredictable Wisconsin or Warm California for X-Mas? I know which I prefer.

    I think it is safe to say most of Wisconsin will not see a white Christmas this coming year.  It’s the first year that I have been part of a non-white Christmas since I was a kid.  But if you are living outside the Midwest, what’s it like to have a grassy, green, and warm Christmas?  If you had to make a choice what would it be, Wisconsin or California for Christmas? 

    California.  Beaches, ocean, mountains, cities, people, people, and did I mention people?  One of the largest states, the most populated, and an economy that could keep up with most countries in the world.  What about its geography, ecology, and weather?  Diverse. But what most people think of when California is mentioned is the warm weather---Los Angeles, San Diego, Newport Beach, etc.  Therefore, could you really tolerate a California Christmas?  Average high temperature in Los Angeles in December is approximately 70 F and San Diego is especially close near 66 F.  No way in winter hell could you get any winter cheer from me in that state.  I would have to flee to the mountains in order to get my Christmas spirit.  Sure, if I grew up in that type of atmosphere it would be second nature to me, but growing up as a Midwestern I need me some cold weather and snow. 

    What isn’t there to like about Wisconsin?  Four seasons, varied wildlife, great sports, and friendly people.  One of the best qualities this state can offer is its weather.  Unpredictability is really something we have become accustom to here in Wisconsin and that is why Wisconsin Christmas’s are the best.  I mentioned before, I do not remember the last time I have not had a white Christmas, and it looks like that is in the future for us.  Christmas in Wisconsin can bring us snow, snowstorms, ice, average temperatures, record temperatures, no snow, etc.  Every year seems to be a little bit different.  Not only does this go for northern Wisconsin but this is good for eastern, western, and southern Wisconsin.  Usually if Milwaukee has a white Christmas, so does Madison and Green Bay.  Some years Green Bay will have snow but Milwaukee and Madison won’t.   Anyways, this year brings us a taste of a California Christmas: above average temperatures, different weather patterns, most of the snowstorms have gone west and south of Wisconsin, etc.  With all of these different types of weather, how can you not enjoy Wisconsin for Christmas?

    Warm tropical temperatures versus unpredictability.  Great traditions versus California.   No matter what the weather is, I know where I prefer to be --- here in Wisconsin for Christmas.  But if you want a touch of both worlds for the holiday, head down to Pasadena for a little Badger love.

Say it Ain’t So, Is That Really Snow on the Ground?

    If you had a chance to look outside on your front porch or lawn this morning you got a pleasant surprise, SNOW!  I also had to pinch myself thinking I was in a dream --- FINALLY some snow.

    A weak disturbance that brought a fair amount of lift to the atmosphere propagated a few snowflakes for southern Wisconsin late last night into this morning.   Most of the accumulation was minimal ---- outside by my house in Shorewood, I’d say we saw close to ½” to ¾” of snow.  But for the most part ½”-1” of snow fell in southeastern Wisconsin.  Higher amounts were associated with a band west and southwest of Madison where they say as much as 3” of snow.

    We could see a few lingering snow showers or flurries this morning in southern Wisconsin.  Eventually, sometime late this morning, that weak system will move off to the east and another weak system will give us another potential round of light snow.   The system will be much weaker and no accumulation is expected.

    Therefore, do not be shocked when you do head outside and see a few small layers of the light and fluffy stuff, that really is snow on the ground! 

Today in Weather History --- Remembering Super Typhoon Paka and Its Path Through Guam

It is a day that everyone in Guam will remember forever.  December 16th, 1997 a catastrophic category 5 “super typhoon”  ripped through the U.S. island territory of Guam bringing along with it sustained winds of 150 mph and had a peak unofficial gust of 237 mph (That 237 mph wind gust was considered the strongest wind ever recorded until a few years ago when it was deemed unreliable) .  The storm dropped nearly 21 inches of rain before the eye of the storm could even reach the coastline making this storm truly unbelievable.

    Paka was a very rare storm formed outside the usual window of tropical storms in the Pacific.  It started out as an area of disturbance southwest of Hawaii, which can be very typical during a strong El Nino year and was eventually formed into the powerful typhoon.  The systems surface pressure sat at a very strong 932 mb and upper level winds were very minimal helping to increase its chances of strengthening.  

    When the storm was all said and done in Guam, the devastation was appalling.  The storm destroyed well over 1,000 homes and buildings and 10,000 were partially damaged.  It left thousands homeless and over $200 million dollars in damage was reported.  Due to the tremendous impact and damage to the region, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center decided to retire the name Paka from the typhoon naming list.  What a day in history!