| |
 |
|
|
Science Forum Index » Geology - Meteorology Forum » National Weather Summary January 2008
Page 1 of 1
|
| Author |
Message |
| Guest |
 Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 2:13 pm |
|
|
|
|
NATIONAL WEATHER SUMMARY
JANUARY 2008
1st-5th...In the East on Wednesday, snowy and windy conditions prevailed
across much of the Northeast, Appalachians and the Great Lakes region
on the back side of a low pressure system. The heaviest snow fell in
Maine today, where accumulations of 6 to 12 inches occurred. The
highest total so far today has been at Cornville, Maine, which
received 12 inches of snow. Generally three to six inches of snow
accumulated in New Hampshire, Vermont and east-central New York,
although 7.3 inches of snow fell at Whitehall, New York. Across the
Great Lakes region and Appalachians, generally one to four inches of
snow fell so far today. However, locally higher amounts occurred in
Cuyahoga County in northeastern Ohio today. Sustained winds of 15 to
30 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph, accompanied the snowfall,
resulting in significant blowing snow. Breezy winds also occurred as
far south as Florida today. A few snow showers crept into the Ohio and
Tennessee Valleys as unseasonably cold air spilled across these areas
this morning. Snow even fell across northern Georgia. A trace to two
inches of snow accumulated this morning in Towns, Union, White,
Lumpkin, Fannin and Murray Counties in northern Georgia. By early
afternoon most of the snow came to an end, although scattered snow
showers lingered in the Great Lakes Region and Appalachians. Lows
across the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys were generally in the single
digits and teens this morning, which were generally 10 to 20 degrees
below normal.
In the central United States, an upper-level disturbance brought snow
showers and gusty winds to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Wisconsin,
and northern Illinois today. Accumulations were generally an inch or
less in most areas. However, lake-effect snows of 3 to eight inches
fell across parts of northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan. Wind gusts of 25 to 40 miles-per-hour resulted in blowing
snow and reduced visibilities. Meanwhile, a large ridge of high
pressure generated cold and dry conditions throughout the Plains. Low
temperatures in the negative teens and negative single digits were
common across much of the northern Plains this morning. In the West,
rain and mountain snow fell over western Washington and western Oregon
in association with a Pacific storm system. Rainfall totals so far
today have generally ranged between one-quarter and three-quarters of
an inch. However, 0.92 inches of rain fell at Quillayute, Washington
so far today. Snow accumulations of 2 to five inches occurred across
the Cascade Mountains of Washington and Oregon. Meanwhile, the Santa
Ana winds which have been pummeling southern California finally began
to subside this morning. High pressure produced dry weather across the
Rockies and Intermountain West.
The Nation's Weather
Mainly dry conditions were experienced today across the eastern two-
thirds of the Nation on Friday with the main impact being some
blustery conditions from the Southern Plains to the central
Mississippi Valley as well as the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes where
winds were sustained at 15 to 30 mph through the day with gusts as
high as 40 mph. A weak disturbance progressing across southern Canada
did bring some light snow showers to northern Michigan into northern
New York and northern New England but amounts were mainly confined to
one inch or less. In addition, isolated rain showers occurred across
eastern Florida with rather light amounts of 0.10 inch or less. High
pressure led to dry and tranquil conditions elsewhere but rather cool
overnight lows in spots as New Bern, North Carolina dropped to 15
degrees this morning. This tied the previous daily record low, which
was originally set in 2001. A record low of 19 was also set at
Charleston, South Carolina. A record low of 10 degrees was set at
Islip, New York while a record low of 16 degrees was set at North
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In addition, portions of the central
United States warmed to record levels as Dickinson, North Dakota set a
record of 56 degrees for the high while Minot, North Dakota reached 49
degrees, also a record. Williston, North Dakota set a record high of
44 degrees for the day. In the West, a potent Pacific system continued
to pound areas of Washington, Oregon and California with very heavy
rain, mountain snow and strong winds. Already today, 1 to 2 feet of
snow has already fallen in the Cascades as well as the Sierra Nevada's
with isolated amounts to 3 feet in higher elevations of the Sierras.
Other mountainous regions of Washington, Oregon, northern California
and Idaho have picked up 5 to 10 inches of snow with some spots over a
foot. Very heavy rain continued to pound the West Coast and widespread
rainfall of 1 to 2 inches has fallen with portions of northern and
central California picking up as much as 2 to 4 inches of rain.
Isolated areas of central California have received close to 5 inches
of rain from last night and today. Strong winds have also been
accompanying the precipitation as wind gusts of 30 to 50 mph have been
rather widespread in the West, especially from Washington to Oregon
and further south into California. Wind gusts in excess of 70 mph have
been occurring in the higher elevations and a recorded gust of 83 mph
occurred near Lucas Valley, California this morning. Also, winds
gusted up to 46 mph at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco,
California. Ahead of the system, lighter snow fell over the mountains
of northern Idaho and northwestern Montana. Accumulations ranged from
three to six inches so far today. Meanwhile, scattered to isolated
rain and mountain snow showers occurred across the Four Corners
Region, with one to four inches of snow accumulating over the
mountains. Sheridan, Wyoming recorded a temperature of 61 degrees this
morning before falling. That set a record high for the city; the old
daily record was 59, which was set in 1948. Otherwise, widespread
highs in the 30s and 40s were experienced in the West today with areas
along the West Coast into California and the Southwest getting into
the 50s and 60s. The warmest readings were in southern California into
Arizona where highs topped out near 70.
6th-12th...In the East, a long and slow-moving frontal system has been
the culprit for some widespread severe weather stretching from the
Great Lakes to the Southern Plains. So far today, 19 tornados have
been reported with the bulk of these across southwest Missouri into
northern Illinois and extreme southeast Wisconsin. This activity has
led to some damage to homes and businesses as well as a train derailed
in McHenry Country, Illinois. In addition, there has been one injury
from this activity out of Topeka, Illinois, where a roof has been
blown off from a home. Storms also brought wind gusts in excess of 60
mph and some large hail ranging from dime size to the size of golf
balls. Rainfall has already ranged from a half inch to over 1 inch in
spots and flash flooding has been occurring, mainly from Missouri to
northern Illinois. Elsewhere, scattered showers impacted portions of
the central and southern Plains as well as coastal sections of Florida
and portions of northern New England and the Upper Midwest. Most of
this activity has produced rainfall of 0.15 inch or less. Ahead of
this strong storm system, many record highs were set across the
central and eastern United States as many locations rose into the 60s
and 70s, some 20 to 30 degrees above normal for this time of year.
Across the West, strong winds, heavy lower elevation rainfall and
heavy mountain snow continued to impact Southern California and the
Desert Southwest, spreading into the Four Corners as well as the
central and southern Rockies this afternoon. Snowfall totals in
northern Arizona have ranged from 11 to 18 inches, with a report of 32
inches in Hart Prairie, Arizona. Lighter snow amounts of 6 to 12
inches were experienced across higher elevations of southern Utah into
Colorado and northern New Mexico with isolated amounts in the higher
elevations close to 20 inches through today. Rain was also quite heavy
earlier today from Southern California into central Arizona and
southern New Mexico where many areas picked up a half inch to 1 inch.
Scattered high elevation snow showers and low elevation rain showers
also impacted northern California, the Pacific Northwest, the Great
Basin and Intermountain Region as well as the northern Rockies. Snow
accumulations were generally in the 1 to 4 inch range. High
temperatures topped out in the teens and 20s across the Intermountain
West with 30s and 40s along the West Coast southward to California
into the Southwest.
Across the East on Wednesday, a cold front barreling through the
Northeast and New England sparked off widespread rain and a few
embedded thunderstorms. No severe weather reports was associated with
this activity, with rainfall totals generally under three-tenths of an
inch. Behind that front, however, strong winds created widespread
damage in the region. Winds gusts up to 75 mph were reported outside
of thunderstorms, uprooting trees and destroying power poles. Isolated
showers were reported across portions of the Southeast and Gulf Coast,
with generally light rainfall reported over the past few hours. The
remainder of the eastern third of the country was under partly to
mostly cloudy skies and dry conditions, with a much cooler airmass in
place. Across the western two-thirds of the country, snow was falling
across the western Rockies and northern Great Basin regions. Snowfall
totals over the past 12 hours were generally between 3 and 7 inches,
with a few higher elevations receiving near one foot of snow. A few
upper-level snow showers and valley rains occurred across the Pacific
Northwest, with light snow accumulations reported. Portions of
California were under low clouds and patchy fog through the early
afternoon, with similar conditions reported in the upper Mississippi
Valley, albeit much colder. The Plains, middle Mississippi Valley,
Desert Southwest and eastern Rockies all experienced dry conditions
under partly to mostly cloudy skies through the early afternoon hours.
In the East on Friday, low pressure produced a band of rain with
embedded thunderstorms to New England. Air was cold enough across
northern areas for a snow and freezing rain moisture to fall, with
slick road conditions reported from northern New York through northern
Maine. Rainfall amounts across the rest of the northeast have ranged
anywhere from a 0.15 inches to as much as one inch. Farther south
along the cold front, showers and thunderstorms erupted. No widespread
severe outbreak occurred today like previous days, but there were a
few wind damage reports from the storms across southern Georgia.
Rainfall amounts across the southeastern states have generally been
less than 0.50, but a few isolated areas may have received more near
an inch in the heavier storms. Across the Upper Midwest and Great
Lake, scattered snow showers moved through today. Accumulations have
generally been light, with three to six inches of accumulations
reported across the Great Lakes, with an inch or less with the
activity across the Upper Midwest and Northern Plains. Elsewhere, high
pressure allowed for fair to partly cloudy skies and dry conditions
across the Ohio Valley, Tennessee Valley, central and southern Plains,
middle and lower Mississippi Valley, as well as across the western
portions of the Southeast. In the west, weakening system brought
higher elevation snows and lower elevations rains to areas from the
northern Rockies through the central Rockies. Rainfall amounts have
been light. However, have seen snowfall amounts of over a foot across
the higher elevations of western Montana and northern Idaho. Light
snow amounts of 2 to five inches across the rest of the Rockies.
Lingering moisture produced scattered precipitation across western
Washington as well, but amounts have been light. Elsewhere, high
pressure allowed for fair to partly cloudy skies and dry conditions
across the Southern Rockies, central Great Basin, Desert Southwest,
and across California.
13th-19th...In the East on Monday, scattered snow showers continued to
impact the Northeast as a low pressure system moved through the
region. Snowfall was heavy in many portions of the region. Upwards of
9 inches of snow was reported across Connecticut, while up to 7 inches
fell across portions of New York. Much of the snow that fell was also
heavy wet snow causing downed trees and damaging power lines,
especially in eastern New England. Further west, another low pressure
system triggered scattered snow showers across the Great Lakes and the
Ohio Valley. Snowfall was heavy at times, especially north where lake-
effect snow fell. Some locations affected by lake-effect snow had
accumulations in excess of 10 inches. Light rain mixed with snow
impacted portions of southern Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and
Delaware. Farther to the south, light showers impacted central
Florida. Elsewhere, high pressure provided for partly cloudy skies and
dry conditions across the Tennessee Valley, middle Atlantic, and the
Southeast. In the western two-thirds of the Nation, isolated snow
showers pushed across the upper Mississippi Valley. Snowfall rates
were light. Farther west, bitterly cold wind chills of 30 degrees
below zero or less were reported over portions of the northern Plains
and the upper Mississippi Valley, especially in western Minnesota.
Areas of patchy dense fog, as well as freezing fog, continued to
impact the central Plains, northern Rockies, and portions of the Great
Basin. Strong gusty winds blew across the central and northern
Rockies, Pacific Northwest, northern High Plains, and across southern
California where wind gusts in excess of 40 mph have been observed,
especially across higher elevations. Light snow showers/flurries
impacted the central Rockies. Elsewhere, high pressure allowed for
partly to mostly cloudy skies over the Pacific Northwest, California,
Desert Southwest, southern Rockies, southern Plains, as well as the
middle and lower Mississippi Valley.
In the East on Wednesday, a low pressure system brought rain showers
and thunderstorms to the Southeast, the Tennessee Valley, northern
Florida, and parts of the Carolinas. Heavy rainfall of over an inch
was reported in many locations. In fact, Beaumont Port Arthur,
Louisiana, set a new rainfall record of 1.73 inches, which broke the
old record of 1.19 inches set in 1949. Slidell, Louisiana, reported
1.61 inches of rain, and Biloxi, Mississippi, also reported 1.47
inches of rain. Snow did begin to mix in with the rain across far
northern Alabama and northern Georgia. Any snowfall accumulations were
less than an inch. Otherwise, fair skies and dry conditions were
experienced across the Great Lakes region, the Ohio Valley, the Mid-
Atlantic region, and the Northeast. In the West, an upper-level low
pressure system produced scattered light snow showers across the
central High Plains, the central Plains and up into the Upper
Mississippi Valley. Snowfall accumulations thus far have been light,
around 1 to 2 inches. Gusty winds from this system also produced areas
of blowing snow and low visibilities at times, making for hazardous
travel conditions. Elsewhere, scattered rain showers affected
Oklahoma, the Mid Mississippi Valley, and the Lower Mississippi
Valley. Rainfall amounts generally range from a quarter of an inch to
a half of an inch. Farther west, Santa Ana winds ripped through
Southern California. A wind gust of 62 mph was reported at Wiley
Ridge, California; and a gust of 56 mph was reported at Warm Springs,
California. As for the northern Plains, Texas, the northern and
southern High Plains, the Rocky Mountains, the Desert Southwest, the
Great Basin, much of California, and the Pacific Northwest, fair skies
and dry conditions were experienced.
In the East on Friday, a winter storm pushed through the Northeast and
New England. Seven inches of snow fell in North Anson, Maine. Areas of
freezing rain developed in Massachusetts, and a glazing of ice
occurred. Snow showers also occurred in Michigan and east of Lake Erie
due to lake effect snowfall. One to two inches of accumulation
occurred during the morning hours. Additional snow showers developed
in northern New York this afternoon. Accumulations generally ranged
between one and four inches. To the south, a few light rain showers
moved over the Southeast and Deep South, otherwise skies were partly
cloudy and dry over the Mid-Atlantic, Ohio Valley, and along the Gulf
Coast. Highs ranged from the low 20's to mid 30's over the Great Lakes
Region, while the Northeast and Appalachians experienced highs mainly
in the 30's and 40's. In the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, highs were
mainly in the 40's and 50's. However, the Florida Peninsula
experienced highs ranging from the low 60's to low 80's. Across the
central United States, a cold front pushed through the northern and
central Plains and Upper Midwest. This brought light snow showers to
the area. Accumulations ranged from a dusting to an inch. Behind the
front, bitterly cold air moved south and winds increased. Wind chills
colder than -50F were reported in North Dakota and Minnesota this
morning. Further to the south, scattered rain showers and a few
embedded thunderstorms developed over southern Texas. Rainfall amounts
were generally a quarter inch or less. Skies were partly cloudy over
the southern Plains and Middle Mississippi Valley while cloudy skies
were reported over the Lower Mississippi Valley. Highs only ranged
from the negative single digits to positive single digits across the
northern Plains. The Upper Midwest experienced highs ranging from the
single digits to low 20's. Over the central Plains, 20's and 30's were
common. In the southern Plains, highs ranged from the upper 30's to
low 50's.
Over the West, the same system that brought snow and cold temperatures
to the northern Plains moved through the northern Rockies. Light snow
showers developed over Montana and Wyoming. Accumulations were light.
Skies were cloudy in the central Rockies. Morning temperatures in
Gunnison, Colorado, sank to less than 30 degrees below zero. High
pressure allowed for partly cloudy to mostly clear skies over the
Great Basin, Pacific Northwest, California, and Desert Southwest.
Highs ranged from the single digits to the mid 20's over the northern
and central Rockies. Across the Intermountain West and Pacific
Northwest, highs were primarily in the 20's and 30's, with a few 40's
occurring along the Pacific coast. In California and the Desert
Southwest, highs generally ranged from the mid 30's to low 60's.
20-26th...In the East on Monday, heavy lake effect snow showers fell
over northern and western New York. Since midnight, 15 inches of snow
fell in Oswego, New York with seven inches of snow in Mexico, New
York. Other areas that experienced lighter snowfall amounts from lake
effect snow include northern Indiana and Michigan. A few light rain
showers developed over southern Florida otherwise the rest of the
region was dry.
Skies were partly cloudy to mostly clear across the Southeast, Deep
South, Mid-Atlantic, Ohio Valley, and Northeast. In the central
region, snow showers fell over the central Plains and Midwest.
Accumulations as high as 6.7 inches occurred in Butte, Nebraska. Over
four inches of snow was reported in Sioux City, Iowa. Scattered snow
showers fell from Chicago to Rapid City, South Dakota during the
morning hours. To the south, isolated rain showers developed in
eastern Texas. Rainfall was very light. Skies were partly cloudy over
the southern Plains, with clear skies over most of the Mississippi
Valley. Over the West, snow showers developed along a frontal boundary
draped from the central Rockies across the Great Basin to northern
California. Areas of moderate snow developed across the ridges.
Accumulation of 5.5 inches was reported in Salt Lake City, Utah with
higher amounts across the benches and ridges. While the snow fell,
Redding, California reported heavy rainfall. Across the rest of the
region, skies were partly cloudy in the northern and southern Rockies,
Pacific Northwest, southern California, and the Desert Southwest.
In the East on Wednesday, lake-effect snows were reported off the
eastern shores of Lake Michigan, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Snowfall
accumulations of 2 to four inches were generally reported. Inland
portions of Michigan also reported snow, with lighter accumulations
reported away from Lake Michigan. Scattered showers fell across
portions of central Florida, with locally high amounts across portions
of the coast. Dense fog under a strong ridge of cold high pressure was
reported across the Southeast, Tennessee Valley and Deep South, with
visibilities reduced from one mile to under one-eighth of a mile. The
Ohio Valley, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic were under fair and dry
conditions.
In the western two-thirds of the country, light snows were reported
across the Northern Plains, Northern High Plains and portions of the
Upper Mississippi Valley. Snowfall accumulations were generally light,
with one to three inches reported. Farther south, rain showers were
reported across portions of the Mississippi Delta and portions of the
Texas Coast, with rainfall totals up to three-quarters of an inch
locally. Valley rain and mountain snows were reported across portions
of central and southern California, with generally light
accumulations. Rainfall totals, however, were locally heavy, with
nearly two inches of rain near Point Conception on the California
coast. Inland Texas reported patchy fog through the early afternoon,
with one mile visibilities. The Pacific Northwest, Rockies, Great
Basin, Desert Southwest and Central and Southern Plains were under
fair and dry conditions through the early afternoon hours.
In the East on Friday, lake-effect snows tapered off near the eastern
shores of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Snowfall totals were generally
light, with one to four inches reported across western New York and
northwestern Pennsylvania. Windy conditions replaced snow, however,
with gusts to near 40 mph in some areas near the lake, and 30 mph away
from the lakes. A few isolated flurries were also being reported
across northern Michigan, with light accumulations. A weak low
pressure system in the southern Plains produced widespread moderate to
heavy rains across much of Texas, while at the same time producing a
mix of rain, sleet and light snow across Oklahoma and the Ozarks.
Rainfall was generally under three-tenth of an inch in Texas, with
snowfall and sleet accumulations near a dusting. Light snow showers
were being reported across portions of the northern Plains and upper
Mississippi Valley, with light accumulations. A strong ridge of high
pressure allowed for fair and dry conditions across New England, the
Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, Deep
South, central Plains and the central Mississippi Valley. In the West,
a powerful low pressure system off the California coast continued to
bring widespread valley rains and mountains snows to the state.
Moderate to heavy rains were being reported through the afternoon
hours below 2,500 feet, with snows above that level. Some areas have
already seen an inch or more of rainfall today, and reports of flash
flooding, as well as creek and river flooding, have been noted. In
higher elevations, new snowfall of 4 to 8 inches has been reported,
with storm total accumulation reaching well over a foot in some areas.
Farthering the already hazardous weather in the region, portions of
central California will see sustained wind speeds of 20 to 35 mph with
gusts to 65 mph. Higher elevations will see increased wind speeds.
Scattered snows were falling across the central portion of Colorado,
with new snowfall accumulation of 3 to 6 inches. Patchy dense fog was
reported in the Great Basin, Intermountain region and eastern Desert
Southwest, with visibilities under one mile in some areas.
27th-31st...In the East on Monday, a strong low pressure system over the
northern Atlantic produced isolated snow showers across the eastern
portions of New England. Much of the snowfall activity tapered off
this morning with only 1 to 2 inches being reported. Further west,
patchy dense fog developed across portions of the southern Plains and
lower Mississippi Valley through the morning hours, where visibilities
of quarter a mile or less had been reported. Areas of light rain
showers developed due to an advancing front across the southern
Plains, middle Mississippi Valley, southern Great Lakes, and western
Tennessee Valley; while another region of light rain showers moved
across the central and northern Plains in response to a low pressure
system. Rainfall rates have been light. Elsewhere, high pressure
allowed for partly cloudy skies and dry conditions across the Ohio
Valley, middle Atlantic, and the Southeast. In the West, a large upper-
level trough continued to bring mostly cloudy and wet conditions to
the region. Scattered low elevation rain showers and mountain snow
impacted California and the Pacific Northwest. Snowfall rates were
light to moderate, with locations above 3,000 feet reporting 8 to 12
inches. Further east, a strong cold front and upper-level low pressure
system produced scattered snow showers across the Great Basin and the
northern Rockies. Snowfall was quite heavy in some locations.
Accumulations of 1 to 2 feet where observed in the hardest hit
regions. Farther south, another cold front triggered scattered snow
showers over the central Rockies, while low elevation rain showers and
mountain snow affected the southern Rockies and portions of the Desert
Southwest. Rain and snowfall rates were light to moderate.
In the East on Wednesday, a powerful low pressure system and strong
cold front produced very strong gusty winds across the Great Lakes,
Northeast, Ohio Valley, and northern middle Atlantic. Wind gusts in
excess of 60 mph have been observed. Reports of downed power lines,
trees, and damaged property have been common occurrences across this
entire region. Rain began to change over to snow in northern New York,
while drier conditions moved into the southern portions of the
Northeast. Snowfall rates have been light, and much of the rainfall
across the region averaged a quarter-inch or less. Across northern New
England, rain mixed with snow and freezing rain, though most
accumulations have been light. Farther west, isolated snow showers
impacted the Great Lakes and the northern Ohio Valley. Snowfall rates
were generally light. Elsewhere, high pressure brought partly cloudy
skies and dry conditions to the Tennessee Valley and the Southeast. In
the western two-thirds of the nation, a Pacific storm system brought
low- elevation rain showers and mountain snow across the Pacific
Northwest, as well as to northern and central California. Snowfall
rates in the mountains were heavy at times, and upwards of 8 to 12
inches have fallen in the Cascades. A stationary front helped to
produce isolated snow showers across the northern Rockies and the
Great Basin, as well as across portions of western Colorado. Snowfall
rates were moderate to heavy across western Colorado, while snowfall
began to taper off across the northern Rockies and the Great Basin.
Strong gusty winds also impacted portions of the region, especially in
California, where gusts in excess of 60 miles-per-hour were reported
over the Sierras. Farther east, cold high pressure brought bitterly
cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills in excess of 60 degrees
below zero across the northern Plains and the upper Mississippi
Valley. Light flurries were observed across South Dakota and northern
Nebraska. Elsewhere, high pressure allowed for partly cloudy skies and
dry conditions across southern California, the Desert Southwest, the
southern Rockies, the central and southern Plains, as well as across
the middle and lower Mississippi Valley. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| |
|
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT - 5 Hours
The time now is Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:32 pm
|
|
