BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE!

[CaptinCrunch]

BABY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE!

Feb. 5, 2004 — Once again NOAA’s various forecast models show a continuation of a pattern that favors the onslaught of Arctic air into many parts of the country in the next two weeks. In fact, the latest NOAA Climate Prediction Center 6-to-10 day forecast shows despite the reprieve from severe cold in the East in recent days, most of the country will be back in the ice box again, with below-normal temperatures forecast to blanket nearly the entire nation from coast-to-coast during February 10-14. And, it looks like much of the country will remain locked in frigid air past mid-month, as the February 12-18 forecast shows more of the same. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of snow and ice across the continental USA taken on Feb. 4, 2004. As of today, 54 percent of the USA is covered in snow. Click here to see latest images. Please credit “NOAA.)

“Although this winter’s weather has played havoc with travel and heating bills, one favorable aspect of the winter so far is that abundant snow or rain has fallen across parts of the Plains and western states that have been enduring long-term drought problems,” according to Douglas Le Comte, NOAA drought specialist at the Climate Prediction Center. “Unfortunately, it looks like the next couple of weeks will see most of the storm activity concentrated in the South and the East, instead of the areas where we most need the moisture,” he added.

A Look Back
Coast-to-coast, from Portland, Ore, to Portland, Maine, old man winter assaulted the country with widespread snow, ice and record cold this past January, and NOAA National Weather Service forecasters believe there’s more to come in February.

In New York City, every day from January 6 through February 2 saw below normal temperatures. In Grand Forks, N.D., the minus 43 degree Fahrenheit reading at the airport on the 30th was the lowest temperature since readings began in 1941. Salt Lake City, Utah, reported at least a trace of precipitation on each and every day from Christmas through January 30.

What’s going on?
“The jet stream took a nose dive into various parts of the country during January, aiming arctic air at the Pacific Northwest early in the month and then, later on, into the Great Plains, Midwest, and Northeast “ says Le Comte. He also says that the Arctic Express has plenty in store for February, at least during the first half of the month.

[vbhoutex]

Taking a quick look at the models yesterday evening it indeed does show the whole eastern 2/3 of the nation in darn near an ice box for the next couple of weeks with little reprieve. More in depth analysis will be required to see how this bodes for storms and (gasp!!)deep South winter precip. Again the quick look doesn't look that promising on the winter precip side for those of us in the Deep South, but maybe since that is the opposite of what we have seen lately there is some hope??/

[Anonymous]

Holy Mr. Freeze, Batman!!!!!


Then just BRING IT!!!!!



-Jeb

[PTrackerLA]

Bring it on, hopefully the cold and the precip can match up.