THE HOUNDS OF WINTER WILL BAYING LONG AND STRONG
PWC calling for nasty Texas winter for 2014-15 with many stormsAustin, TX – The Portastorm Weather Center (“PWC”) today revealed its 2014-15 winter forecast for the State of Texas. If the PWC is anything to close to accurate, winter will be a nasty one for the Lone Star State with below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation for the months of December 2014 through February 2015.
“We’re calling for one heckuva winter with a number of snow/ice threats for the state and a general overall aspect of cold and stormy,” said the lead meteorologist for the PWC. “All the teleconnections, analogs, and data to date tells us to expect an active Southern jet stream and frequent cold fronts of Canadian and Polar origins. This will combine to provide a number of wintry weather events in the state, especially in North Texas. We think those living north of an Abilene to Waco to College Station line are going to have quite a nasty winter season. Yes, the Hounds of Winter will bay long and strong this time.”
This is the first time in three winter seasons in which the PWC has issued a forecast with such certainty. Its abbreviated seasonal forecast for the 2012-13 winter was disastrous and the PWC refrained last winter from issuing any forecasts due to a “re-tooling of internal resources.” Despite occasional criticism from PWC clients and general weather enthusiasts, the PWC this time is more confident in its forecast and also credited the affiliate office of Storm 2K member “Ntxw” for partnering on the forecast.
As the press event was ending, one reporter asked the PWC spokesperson “Texas Snowman” a pointed and terse question: “It’s been 10 years since there was measurable snowfall in Austin and your track record ain’t so great. Are you saying this is the year it’s going to happen again?” The PWC spokesperson nodded his head and told the reporter “Yes, the PWC mets believe it will snow in Austin this winter season with more than trace amounts. But I wouldn’t buy that snowblower just yet.”
The PWC also released its reasoning on the winter forecast as follows:
The NE Pacific SST values remain well above normal, possibly even more so than last year at this time. The EPO is currently tanking and we think we’ll see a negative EPO/positive PNA reading for much of the winter. Consequently, we see a repeat of last winter in that strong ridging out west will help facilitate the dumping of cold, Arctic air into the nation’s midsection. Eurasian snow cover is rapidly advancing this month (the Cohen effect) and is at an even higher percentage than this time last year. That, along with predicted occasional Greenland blocking, should help a strongly negative AO and NAO to develop and be a frequent teleconnection couplet this winter. So what does that mean? We think it means that the cold air outbreaks in Texas this winter will not be nearly as transient as they were last winter. When the cold comes, it will last more than 24-36 hours. With a weak Modoki Nino looking more and more likely, we should see enough Southern stream energy to create “excitement” from time to time, let along some strong upper level lows which will create havoc in the midst of Arctic air. Remember that these events usually mean if you end up underneath the upper level low, your chances for ice/snow rise significantly. We also see synoptic situations like this occur where an upper level low traversing the state will shear out as it moves west to east and, consequently, you see a coastal low develop with the possibility of slinging moisture over a cold dome of air and creating a potential winter weather event for Central, East, and Southeast Texas.
The period of below-normal temperatures will not last as long as what we saw last winter. November and December will have some serious cold fronts but they will not put the state into a permanent deep freeze as temps will warm back to normal in intervals. Look for more variable conditions during these months but not without some dramatic, changeable conditions. However, as we get into January the duration and strength of the fronts along with increasing Southern jet activity will ramp up the storm threats. We do think North Texas is going to be in for a banner winter season with multiple snowfall potential. Snow/ice threats for places like Austin, San Antonio, Del Rio, and Houston will be less frequent than North Texas but they will exist as we believe upper level lows traversing the state will sporadically dip that far south as they move west to east. It’s not out of the question that even the Rio Grande Valley could see a frozen precipitation threat this winter at some point, more likely in early 2015.
We are in complete agreement with meteorologist Larry Cosgrove on our best guesses for analog years: 2009-10, 2002-03, and 1969-70. See maps below.
Analog Years -- Temperature
Analog Years -- Precipitation