Ξ January 31st, 2008 | Posted by John Walsh | → 0 Comments | ∇ Weather |
Overnight the clouds will continue to stream into the state tonight as an upper level trough digs into the four corners region. It appears now that trough is going to dig a little farther south so the threat of snow is diminished, at least for the Tri-Cities northward. We will probably see little more than flurries to some isolated light snow with the time frame being after 3 am through the early morning.
Most of the snow will be from northern Kansas into southeastern Nebraska from roughly Superior, south and east. In these areas half inch to inch and a half snows are possible.
Skies will clear in the afternoon. Another cold day tomorrow, but southerly winds Thursday night herald some warmer temperatures for the weekend
Ξ January 30th, 2008 | Posted by John Walsh | → 0 Comments | ∇ Weather |
What a rude awakening this morning. I think it initially was the rattling of the windows that brought me back to consciousness. I knew the frigid ugliness of what was lurking out my front door which made it all the easier to roll over and hit my snooze alarm.
After a nice, albeit short, respite from arctic weather over the weekend, it came back with a vengeance. Winds gusted as high as 51 mph at the Grand Island airport; 52 mph at Ord. All that wind whipping the snow around made it appear worse than it was. We only picked up about an inch and half in Hastings, just over and inch in Grand Island and a half inch Kearney.
This isn’t going to be a prolonged cold snap. It should begin to warm up on Friday and stay in the mid to upper 30s through next week.
Wednesday, another weather system will spin in from the Pacific Northwest. Low pressure will develop in Eastern Colorado and drift southeastward along the Kansas/Oklahoma border. It will track far enough south to where light snow will again clip our area. Only a moderate amount of moisture will be available and even then most of that will be in southern Kansas where an inch or two of snow is probable. Scattered snow is possible mainly middle part of Wednesday evening into the overnight. Not anticipating any big travel concerns.
Ξ January 28th, 2008 | Posted by John Walsh | → 0 Comments | ∇ Weather |
This weekend we had a little taste of spring. Even today, highs shot up into the 60s in some of southern Nebraska. Even 70s were reported in northern Kansas. All that will be a thing of the past because of a cold front pushing throught tonight. The wind is really going to pick up overnight as well. We should see sustained winds between 25 and 35 mph through the morning hours. Some light snow is possible, but accumualtions should be around 1″ at the most. I guess I forgot to mention the fact that temps will be 20 to 40 degrees colder for highs as well. Temps should only top out around 20 during the day on Tuesday. We will see some warmer weather towards the weekend, but don’t expect to break any records. Temps should be in the upper 30s, which is only slightly above average for this time of year.
Ξ January 25th, 2008 | Posted by John Walsh | → 0 Comments | ∇ Weather |
Temperatures were some 10 to 15 degrees above yesterdays, so our much advertised warm-up for this weekend is unfolding. Let’s hope we can make a dent on the snow that’s been on the ground seemingly forever.
Well, it has only seemed like an eternity but it’s been 50 days now where the Tri-Cities have had at least an inch of snow on the ground. From Grand Island and Hastings it has been 50 days with up to 2 inches on the ground. According to National Weather Service statistics that makes the second longest duration of snow on the ground for the Tri-Cities. Its unlikely we will break the record as in 1969 Kearney had snow on the ground for 90 days, and in 1984 Hastings and Grand Island had snow cover for 60 days.
Temperatures some 3 to 5 degrees below the averages for the months of December and January along with some freezing rain mixing with the snow have been the main contributors to our glacial ambiance. This pattern perpetuates itself as the snow reflects sunlight which in turn prevents temperatures from warming to their full potential over these snow covered areas.
Hopefully we’ll at least make a dent in the snow pack this weekend with temperatures pushing well above freezing. There will be more snow chances next week.
Ξ January 25th, 2008 | Posted by John Walsh | → 0 Comments | ∇ Weather |
Forecast models are still painting a little light snow in our vicinity tonight through tomorrow morning. Interesting considering a steady southerly flow of winds.
The Tri-Cities will be on the western periphery of the snow, so we have a slight chance of seeing something but the primary dynamics will be to our south and east. Most locations will be dry, if snow or a little sleet does develop its going to be isolated in nature. One or two isolated band could produce minimal accumulations in a relative short period of time given the moisture and dynamics with a weak upper level disturbance.
Snow showers will push into east central Nebraska through the forenoon and the clouds will decrease. The good news is we will finally climb above the freezing mark, with the weekend warm-up still on schedule.
Ξ January 24th, 2008 | Posted by John Walsh | → 0 Comments | ∇ Weather |
I don’t know of the Center for Disease Control lists cabin fever as a malady but it seems to be epidemic around here. It’s hard to believe that we are only at the halfway point to the winter season, it feels much longer. There may be some relief to the winter doldrums albeit brief. The arctic air that has dug its heels into the Midwest and Great Lakes will slowly begin to recede and we may be seeing 40 degree weather by Sunday.
Let’s put the winter thus far into some sort of context. According to statistics from the National Weather Service the winter thus far in terms of cold ranks 22nd, 9th and 20th respectively for Grand Island, Hastings and Kearney since roughly the turn of the 20th century. After a record breaking warm November, a northwest flow of wind aloft has been the persistent weather pattern providing periodic shots of arctic air to cascade from Canada. The average temperature for the Tri-Cities for the months of December and January combined is in the mid 20s. So far this year our average for those months is about 21 degrees, so about 3 to 4 degrees below normal. Out of 47 days, 29 of them have been below average.
It can be worse. I remember the winter of 1984 when the average temperature hovered around 12 to 13 degrees. If memory serves during the month of December that year it stayed 0 or below for about 13 days. Brutal. In context, this season has been toasty. (That’s hyperbole).
But here’s hoping our little weekend warm-up soothes your winter blues.
Ξ January 16th, 2008 | Posted by John Walsh | → 0 Comments | ∇ Weather |
Tomorrow carries with it the truest connotation of winter defined. Wind, snow, blowing snow, and much colder temperatures.
We may see some light snow early in the morning but it appears later in the day is when snow and blowing snow will intensify from west to east as an upper level trough spins from the Rockies into Iowa by Thursday afternoon.
Best moisture for this system resides in the southeast corner of the state. Most areas are looking at 1-3 inches southeast of roughly a line that extends from Fullerton to Cambridge, with the top end of that amount to the southeast of Hastings. Along and southeast of a Hebron to Stockton, Kansas line upwards of 4 inch snows are possible with 4-6 farther east.
Again, its not some much the amount of snow but the wind blowing it around that will cause travel problems especially in open rural areas. A Blowing Snow Advisory will be in effect from 6 AM Wednesday until Midnight Thursday. Be safe.
Ξ January 11th, 2008 | Posted by John Walsh | → 0 Comments | ∇ Weather |
Last night snowfall brought with it an extremely rare weather phenomenon that those of us in the meteorological field took some delight in. Snow rollers, are snow balls formed naturally by strong winds blowing across a flat, snow covered field. (more…)
