Category Archives: Outside of NYC

Really Cool Graphic – Tornado Tracks from 1950-2013 Mapped

Climate, Outside of NYC, Tornadoes, , , , ,

Just a super interesting graphic that the Storm Prediction Center put together using GIS data. What you’re seeing is a graphical representation of the track of each tornado that’s impacted the continental United States from 1950-2013. Notice the density in Tornado Alley, a region of the country where geography is conducive to the large scale weather patterns that produce tornadoes. Also, check out the general trend of a northeast vector to the tornado tracks. Lastly, note that although tornadoes are considerably less common in the Northeast, they still do occur with some frequency.

tornado

Historic Ice Storm to Hit GA, SC

Outside of NYC, Snow, Storms, Weather Update, , , , ,

Screen shot 2014-02-11 at 6.11.11 PM

The storm system set to impact the Northeast will make its impact felt in the Southeast Wednesday and Thursday. An historic ice storm/winter storm is set to take shape and impact areas of the Atlanta metro, hard hit by the January 28th storm.

To quote National Weather Service in Atlanta:

HAVE GONE WITH THE MORE DIRE PREDICTIONS OF A HALF AND INCHOF ICE TO CLOSE TO AN INCH FOR EAST CENTRAL PORTIONS OF THE STATE.BIGGEST CHANGE PERHAPS IS THE SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS WITH NOW 4 TO 8 INCHES ACROSS THE NORTHERN TIER WITH 10 INCHES TO PERHAPS A FOOT POSSIBLE IN THE NE MOUNTAINS. WE ALSO INCREASE THE TOTALS FOR THE NORTH ATLANTA METRO WITH AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS COMBINATION OF OVER A QUARTER INCH OF ICE AND 2 TO 5 INCHES OF SNOW.

Ice accumulation on top of snow of this magnitude will almost certainly lead to widespread power outages from downed tree limbs and power lines, as well as deadly travel conditions. The governor of Georgia, Nathan Deal, wisely declared a state of emergency and shut down non-essential services across the state.

The areas of greatest impact for icing will lie along the I-20 corridor east of Atlanta, curving into central South Carolina, although ice storm warnings have not been posted yet in some areas of South Carolina. If you are living in this area, avoid any unnecessary travel, and make any necessary preparations immediately.

NYC Snowstorm Update – Feb 11, 2014

NYC, Outside of NYC, Snow, Storms, Weather Update, , , , , ,

UntitledSignificant winter storm is already underway for large parts of the southeast. Snow, and ice accumulation up to 5″+ in some areas before this storm moves in on the northeast.

Still a decent amount of uncertainty as to final track of this storm. If the storm takes a track closer to land, there will be more rain and less snow. If the center of the storm passes south of NYC near what is referred to as the 40°N 70°W benchmark, this will become an all snow or mostly snow event area wide.

With snow to liquid ratios between 10 and 15:1, even a slight deviation could mean dramatically different outcomes. The city has been consistently forecast to be on the cusp of the rain/snow line so final track adjustments are worth keeping an eye. Current NWS forecast thinking is for accumulating snow to begin falling overnight Wed through late Thurs morning. A changeover to rain is currently expected in NYC and coastal areas which would keep overall snowfall totals down. A change back to all snow would occur as temps drop later Thurs as bands of precip wrap around the center of the low departing east.

Temps today will remain chilly in the upper 20s, with sunny conditions. Overnight lows in the teens, and a similar day weather-wise Wed. Overnight lows Wed in the mid 20s, and hi temps Thurs (critically) just above freezing in this forecast. Warmer on Fri w temps nearing 40.

Details:
All reliable models point to a rapidly deepening low pressure center, with central pressure dropping from 992mb to 970mb in this Navy model forecast as the low moves from our area into New England. A mesoscale banding feature also develops, but final placement is uncertain. Right now, hpc is forecasting axis of heaviest snow from NE PA, northeast through NE NJ, western MA and into down east ME. 6-12″ could easily accumulate under this banding feature.

Details:

All reliable models point to a rapidly deepening low pressure center, with central pressure dropping from 992mb to 970mb in this Navy model forecast as the low moves from our area into New England. A mesoscale banding feature also develops, but final placement is uncertain. Right now, hpc is forecasting axis of heaviest snow from NE PA, northeast through NE NJ, western MA and into down east ME. 6-12″ could easily accumulate under this banding feature.

Active Weather Pattern to Bring Relief to Drought Stricken West

Climate, Drought, Northwest, Outside of NYC, , , ,

Weather Prediction Center’s medium range forecast

 

Over the past couple of months, exceptional drought conditions have developed over large portions of the western UnitedStates caused by prolonged periods without measurable precipitation. It was not long ago that parts of California were literally on fire.

This past week, West Coast folks finally got some relief as rain and snow fell over portions of the Pacific Northwest and California, including the Cascades and the Sierra. As of today, winter storm warnings and advisories are up for much of the same region. The snow will be critical especially for the Central Valley of California. Annual snowmelt from the Sierra feeds the rivers and streams that farmers depend on to grow the abundant veggies and fruits that we get to enjoy across the nation.

This active weather pattern will continue for the west coast, with another area of low pressure forecast to slide southeast from the northeastern Pacific Ocean by Tuesday (see above). However, the long-term drought outlook still calls for persistence or deterioration. Either way, people out on the west coast are probably happy to see any precipitation.