January 2009 National Weather Summary
- From: thunderjim@xxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 9 Feb 2009 17:44:09 -0800 (PST)
NATIONAL WEATHER SUMMARY
JANUARY 2009
1st-3rd…A low pressure system tracked through the Great Lakes and into
eastern Canada. In the cold air near the center of the storm, snow
showers were reported through the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley. Along
the storm's associated cold front, rain showers eventually developed
through the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Cold air flowed behind this
storm into the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. Another strong
Pacific storm slammed into the Northwest and progressed into the
Intermountain West. This translated to additional rain and high
elevation snow from the Cascades Mountains through Montana. More
precipitation floated into Northern California and the Sierra Nevadas.
The Northeast rose into the 20s and 30s, while the Southeast saw
temperatures in the 60s and 70s. The Northern Plains rose into the 0s
and 10s, while the Southwest saw temperatures in the 50s and 60s.
4th-10th…The nation's main weather activity occurred across the
Southeast and Northwest on Monday. Beginning in the Southeast, mixed
precipitation and thunderstorm activity developed along a strong
frontal boundary system that extended from the western Gulf of Mexico
to the Mid-Atlantic Coast. Moderate rain showers, freezing rain, and
sleet developed around a low pressure system located over the Lower
Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys. The heaviest showers were detected
over areas of Arkansas and Mississippi. Moderate rain bands along the
Gulf Coast were accompanied by periods of heavy rain downpours and
isolated thunderstorms during the afternoon. Areas of the Lower
Mississippi Valley were placed under a Winter Weather Advisory and a
Flash Flood Watch, while areas of the Tennessee Valley were placed
under a Flood Watch. Meanwhile, a strong storm system produced
significant winter showers as it pushed through the Pacific Northwest
and Intermountain West today. Strong, moist onshore flow produced rain
showers along the Pacific Northwest Coast and across northern
California. Heavy snowfall and gusty winds were also generated across
the mountain regions of the Intermountain West. Strong winds and heavy
snowfall produced blizzard conditions over the southern Grande Ronde
Valley. Areas of the Northwest were placed under a Winter Storm
Warning, Avalanche Warning, and Winter Weather Advisory.
Weather systems across the Northwest and along the East Coast produced
the most significant weather activity today. Beginning in the West, a
dynamic storm system swept across the Northwest this morning. The
system produced strong winds with moderate to heavy rain showers along
the Pacific Northwest Coast and across the areas of the Intermountain
West and the Northern Rockies. The heaviest amounts of precipitation
were recorded across the Cascade, Blue, and Northern Rocky Mountain
Ranges. Areas of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana were placed
under Flood Warnings and Watches due to heavy amounts of precipitation
and snowmelt.
In the East, a complex storm system produced a mix wintry mix of
precipitation throughout the Northeast today. Deepening low pressure
systems located over Lake Ontario and Massachusetts generated strong,
gusty winds and a mixture of rain, freezing rain, snow and ice across
the New England States. Average snow accumulations across the
Northeast have been less than 2 inches. The Northeast was placed under
Winter Storm, Ice Storm, and Lake Effect Snow Warnings. Meanwhile,
mixed precipitation and strong winds were also report along the Mid-
Atlantic Coast and across areas of Florida. Thus far, there have been
16 reports of high winds across North Carolina and Virgina today.
Strong northwest winds caused damages to trees, cars, homes,
commercial buildings, and power lines. The Mid-Atlantic and Southeast
were placed under a Wind Advisory until this evening.
A developing low pressure system plunged southeastward through the
Plains after it managed to pass through the Rockies. As the low moved
southward, the associated warm front progressed into the Upper
Mississippi Valley. Ahead of the front, a shield of snow moved through
the Ohio Valley and was on the verge of moving into southern New
England. A mixture of rain and snow fell in the Central Plains and
into parts of the Upper Midwest. This precipitation was not
widespread. A high pressure system built into the Northwest and
finally brought an end to the precipitation in the region. The days of
rain created flooding conditions through Washington that also melted
newly fallen snow. Low humidities in Florida instigated Red Flag
Warnings for much of the Sunshine State. The Northeast remained dry
aside from some snow showers in western New York. The Northeast rose
into the 10s and 20s, while the Southeast saw temperatures in the 50s
and 60s. The Southern Plains rose into the 70s and 80s, while the
Northern Plains saw temperatures in the 0s and 10s. The Northwest rose
into the 30s and 40s, while the Southwest saw temperatures in the 40s,
50s and 60s.
11-17th…The main weather activity occurred across the Midwest on
Monday as an Alberta Clipper raced through the Northern Plains and
into the Upper and Mid-Mississippi Valleys. The system became
positioned over southern Minnesota during the early afternoon and has
begun to trek southeastward into central-eastern Iowa. Thus far, snow
showers have been fairly moderate with periods of heavy snowfall over
Iowa and Illinois. Snow showers have been accompanied by blustery
northwest winds and dangerous wind gusts. Maximum sustained wind
speeds have reached up to 30 to 35 mph across areas of the Central
Plains with up to 40 mph wind gusts. Strong winds have created periods
of blowing and drifting snow throughout the Midwest, and have lowered
visibility to under 1/4 of a mile in some locations. Lowered
visibilities have made traveling conditions across some areas of the
Midwest nearly impossible. High winds have also ushered an arctic air
mass into the Midwest and have lowered temperatures significantly.
Temperatures have ranged from the -0s in the Northern Plains to the
40s across the Mid-Mississippi Valley. Wind chills across the Plains
ranged from the -10s to the -30s this afternoon. The majority of the
Upper and Mid- Mississippi Valleys and the Great Lakes were placed
under several Winter Weather Advisories, while areas of the Northern
and Central Plains remained under a High Wind Advisory. Meanwhile, the
remainder of the country saw fairly benign weather activity today.
High pressure allowed for mostly dry conditions across the Eastern,
Southern, and Western US. A cold frontal system continued to produce
scattered shower activity across areas of northern and central
Florida.
The Midwest saw the most active weather Wednesday as a low pressure
system continued to trigger winter snow showers, blustery winds and
lowered temperatures across the Great Lakes. The storm system trekked
eastward through central Indiana and produced a healthy mix of lake-
effect snow showers and freezing fog over areas of northern Illinois,
Indiana, and Michigan. To the west of the system, western Indiana saw
widespread snowfall with accumulations ranging from about 3 to 4
inches. Gusting winds brought cold, arctic air across the Midwest and
reduced temperatures significantly. Wind chills remained dangerously
frigid and ranged from 20 to 30 below zero. The Great Lakes remain
under a Wind Advisory Warning, while areas of Indiana and Ohio were
placed under Winter Storm Warnings. To the south, a strong cold front
brought colder temperatures to the Plains and the Mid-Mississippi
Valley as it pushed southward through the Central US this afternoon.
Brisk winds produced bitter cold wind chills and flurries. The eastern
Plains and Mid-Mississippi Valley were placed under a Wind Chill
Advisory. Meanwhile, the West saw fair weather today as high pressure
remained over the Intermountain West.
More of the same was experienced throughout the country on Friday, but
the cold air continued its eastward movement. A high pressure system
moved from the Plains toward the Mississippi Valley was accompanied by
an upper-level trough of low pressure that was reinforced by cold
Arctic air. Wind chill values well below zero degrees from the
Northeast through the Upper Midwest and south through the Ohio Valley
created Wind Chill Advisories from northern Illinois through western
New York. These are very dangerous conditions so residents should
continue to take any precautions to protect themselves. There was an
interesting mix of Freeze Warnings and Red Flag Warnings in the
Southeast due to the cold temperatures and low humidities. A much
different story continued to unfold in the West. The cold air in he
East gave way to seasonally warm temperatures in the Southwest and
California. A ridge of high pressure allowed temperatures to rise into
the 70s and 80s through the region and provided a stark contrast to
the downright frigid temperatures in the Northeast. The Great Lakes
rose into the 0s and 10s, while the Northeast saw temperatures in the
-0s, 0s, and 10s. The Southeast rose into the 20s, 30s, and 40s, while
the Northwest saw temperatures in the 30s and 40s.
18th-24…The eastern part of the nation continued to see wintry weather
as a large low pressure system hovered over New England. The system
produced two cold fronts on Monday, one extended from the eastern
Great Lakes down the Ohio River Valley while the other extended into
the Southeast. The front in the north triggered heavy snow showers
over the Northeast with accumulations between 1 and 2 inches. This,
along with freezing fog reported in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, brought
dangerous road conditions to New England. To the South, the front
kicked up light showers with light snow reported at higher elevations.
In Mosheim, Tennessee, 0.02 inches of a mixture of light snow and rain
was reported. Meanwhile, the rest of the country saw inactive weather
on Monday as high pressure built in over the Plains. The system
allowed for strong winds with dry conditions, which increased fire
threats over the Central and Southern Plains. Lyman, Nebraska saw 24
mph winds with gusts up to 49 mph. To the west, a ridge of high
pressure remained over the West Coast and Rocky Mountains, which
allowed for dry conditions with seasonable temperatures.
The majority of the US saw inactive weather on Wednesday as a strong
ridge of high pressure hovered over the central US on Wednesday. This
high pressure allowed for seasonably warm temperatures across the
Plains. The Southern Plains reached into the mid to upper 70s, while
the Central Plains saw highs in the mid to upper 60s. Meanwhile in the
north, a small trough of low pressure moved over the Great Lakes
region on Wednesday. This system allowed for overcast skies and lake-
effect snow to continue over the eastern shores of the lakes. No
significant snow fall accumulations have been reported but a snow
warning has been issued for northern New York as 1 inch of snow fall
per hour is anticipated. Moving down the East Coast, high pressure
over the region brought plenty of sunshine which allowed for much snow
melt throughout the day. Cold and dry conditions persisted across the
South, thus, fires continued to threaten the region. In the west, a
low pressure system approached California and pushed abundant moisture
over the state on Wednesday. This triggered low clouds and light
scattered rainfall with total accumulations less than a tenth of an
inch. Clouds extended into the Pacific Northwest and Southwest but
rain has not yet been reported.
A strong low pressure system will affect the East Coast on Saturday.
The storm itself will be centered over New England in the morning, but
will push off to the northeast sometime in the afternoon or evening as
high pressure moves in behind it. Snow associated with the system is
expected across the Northeast in the morning, but most of the snowfall
will be light. The majority of the region will only see flurries and
snow showers with no major accumulation, although a couple of areas in
New England may get an inch or two of snow. In addition, gusty winds
will blow through the Northeast for most of the day. Most of the
precipitation should end in the afternoon and skies will begin to
clear up as the system moves away from the region and high pressure
begins to build. A cold front associated with the storm will extend
down through the Southeast and into the southern Texas on Saturday.
Clouds and rain are expected over the area as a result of the front,
and the wet weather will hang over the Southeast for most of the day.
Winds will increase as the front passes through, but will die down
towards the end of the day. Clouds and light precipitation associated
with a trough out West will drift into the Plains on Saturday.
Scattered flurries and light snow showers are expected during the day
over the Northern and Central Plains, and high winds will howl across
the Plains. Conditions will be very cold over parts of the Dakotas and
the Upper Midwest, with temperatures ranging from the single digits
down to below zero. A trough will continue to produce wet weather
across the West on Saturday. Partly to mostly cloudy skies are
expected during the day, with areas of rain or snow anticipated across
the region.
25th-31st…Heavy snow continued over the Rocky Mountains on Monday due
to a strong low pressure system over the region. The system was
centered over western Colorado and produced a stationary front over
the state with a cold front extending over the Southwest. The system
brought strong winds to the Central Rockies, with 31 mph gusts
reported in Telluride, Colorado and total snowfall accumulation
between 4 and 8 inches. Winter storm warnings have been issued over
the region and an avalanche warning was issued over western Colorado
due to continuous wet and heavy snow pack that has accumulated since
Friday. To the north, the Northern Rockies received 1 to 3 inches of
new snow on Monday, while the cold front over the Southwest triggered
scattered rain with snow at higher elevations and strong winds.
Flagstaff, Arizona reported winds at 26 mph with gusts up to 35 mph
and 2 inches of snow at elevations above 6000 ft. The Pacific
Northwest and California saw drier weather as high pressure built in
behind the passing low pressure system. Moving East, flow from the
Gulf of Mexico brought abundant moisture to the Southern and Central
Plains on Monday. This was sufficient to trigger 1 to 3 inches of snow
over the Central Plains, with light showers of mixed precipitation
over the Southern Plains. Light icing threatened dangerous road
conditions over the region. The Great Lakes region continued to see
cold temperatures with 3 to 7 inches of lake-effect snow in northern
New York. Meanwhile, seasonable temperatures and overcast skies
covered most of the East Coast.
A strong winter storm continued across the Eastern US on Wednesday due
to a low pressure system that moved up the Ohio River Valley and into
New England. Freezing rain turned to light snow over the Ohio River
Valley Wednesday morning, while the system continued to produce snow
and freezing rain over the Northeast. In Albany, New York, 0.59 inches
of freezing rain was reported, with various areas of the state seeing
3 to 5 inches of snow. Warmer air over New York City allowed for 0.74
inches of rain. Further north, heavier snow fell across Maine with
snowfall accumulation ranging between 8 and 12 inches. To the South,
this system also produced a cold front that swept across the Mid-
Atlantic states and Southeast, which triggered showers as it moved
eastward throughout the day. Birmingham, Alabama reported 0.27 inches
of rain, while light and scattered showers extended well ahead of the
front into Florida. Meanwhile in the Plains, a trough of low pressure
dipped into Minnesota from Canada and kicked up overcast skies with
scattered flurries. Temperatures over the Northern Plains returned to
the teens and lower 20s. High pressure built across the Central and
Southern Plains, which brought mostly sunny skies while cold air
continued to pour in from the north. In the West, light snow persisted
over the Central Rockies with snowfall totals between 3 to 5 inches.
High pressure continued to build across the West Coast and brought
mostly sunny skies with cool temperatures to the Pacific Northwest and
California.
Active weather remained largely in the East on Friday, leaving
seasonally warm and dry conditions in the West. A lingering cold front
over Florida continued to produce scattered showers that gradually
tracked southward down the state. Also, a cold Arctic front moved
gradually southward into the Ohio Valley and eastward into the
Northeast. Scattered snow showers were noted from the central
Appalachians through the Northeast. Cold air also accompanied this
system into the Upper Midwest and Upper Mississippi Valley. This cold
air also crept into the Northeast as the day progressed and created a
cold afternoon for New England. A dominant high pressure system
remained anchored over the West. Thus, dry and seasonally warm
conditions were noted from the West Coast through the Southern Plains.
A cold front was on the verge of penetrating into the Northwest, but
this system was not expected to bring very much precipitation. The
Northeast rose into the 20s and 30s, while the Southeast saw
temperatures in the 40s, 50s, and 60s. The Upper Midwest rose into the
0s and 10s, while the Northwest saw temperatures in the 30s and 40s.
.
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