August 2020 archive

VIDEO: Weekend Discussion And Looking Through Next Week…

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Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2020/08/14/video-weekend-discussion-and-looking-through-next-week/

Long Range Update: Closing Out August…

With a little over 2 weeks to go in meteorological summer, model data disagrees in the way the month- and season ends. That is, after the upcoming week where the consensus is cooler and drier than normal (we agree, as well). Let’s take a look at the data:

European Weeklies

Week 1

CFSv2

Week 1

GEFS

Week 1

EPS

Week 1

JMA

Week 1

The American data and JMA Weeklies are coolest (compared to the European), but compared to Weeks 2 and 3, there’s better consensus. The initial week is also looking drier than normal- especially after a “smattering” of storms tomorrow and Saturday.

Week 1 Precipitation anomalies- JMA Weeklies
Week 1 Precipitation anomalies- European ensemble

Let’s now take a look at Week 2:

European Weeklies

Week 2

CFSv2

Week 2

GEFS

Week 2

EPS

Week 2

JMA

Week 2

This is where our idea begins to pivot more towards the JMA Weeklies and European data (warmer look). The reason primarily has to do with the MJO moving back into Phase 8 during this time period.

This is a warm phase in August.

Furthermore, the PNA ‘mean’ is forecast to trend off the positive “mountain” (that will help drive the cooler pattern for the upcoming week) and more towards neutral.

Phase 1 is also a warmer look for our part of the country and that’s the way we’re leaning for the last week of the month (despite the very cool CFSv2).

While not overly warm, we think the JMA has the best handle on the temperature pattern in the Week 3 timeframe, locally (seasonable to slightly above normal).

The pattern should also begin to trend wetter during this time period:

This matches up with Phase 1 of the Madden Julian oscillation:

So, to summarize, after a cool and dry period next week, we anticipate the pattern to trend warmer (more seasonable) and wetter to close the month and head into early September. One other item of note is that the tropics should really begin to heat back up during this period, as well. Of course, as is the case from time to time, that can be a wild card from a precipitation perspective. The Gulf of Mexico (GOM) looks particularly busy late August through late September, but there’s simply no way to get more specific from this distance, including potential inland impacts. It’s worth keeping a close eye though.

Before we leave, the latest JAMSTEC seasonal data updated this morning and features a “torch” of a fall, along with a warm, wet winter, locally. That southeast ridge will have to be dealt with this winter. While still early, the early lean is for a warm start to winter (including holiday season). While there are some ingredients that may keep things more interesting than what they could be otherwise, from at least this point, this doesn’t appear as if it’ll be an “exciting” winter for lovers of snow and cold. Much more later- and again, we still have a long way to go…

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2020/08/13/long-range-update-closing-out-august/

VIDEO: Drier Late Week Trends; Warm Meteorological Fall On The Way?

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VIDEO: Unsettled Weather Returns To Close The Week; Unseasonably Cool Air Arrives Next Week…

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VIDEO: Timing Out Storm Chances Into The Weekend; Looking Ahead To Another Taste Of Fall-Like Air…

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Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2020/08/11/video-timing-out-storm-chances-into-the-weekend-looking-ahead-to-another-taste-of-fall-like-air/

VIDEO: Damaging Wind Event Set To Impact Portions Of The State This Evening…

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Unsettled Week Ahead…

After an unseasonably cool and dry week to open the month, much more active times await as we head into the middle of August.

Upper air disturbances will ride southeast into the region to open the work week on the nose of a much more humid airmass trying to invade the area. These ripples of energy will be enough to lead to more organized thunderstorms, including locally heavy rain at times. Unlike what’s typical this time of year, this week will feature times of storms that rumble in during the nighttime and morning hours.

A frontal boundary will settle south into the region during the middle and latter parts of the work week before stalling out. This will serve as a focal point for additional thunderstorm chances for the 2nd half of the week, continuing into the weekend.

While it’ll be a warmer week, it’s more the humidity that will really make a difference. Daytime highs will remain close to average this week, overall, but overnight lows will be muggy- only falling to around 70° most nights.

We have no changes to our weekly rainfall forecast: 1″ to 2″ for most with localized heavier totals where stronger storms track.

  • I’ll be on the road tomorrow and will have our client video posted Monday evening.

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2020/08/09/unsettled-week-ahead/

Thoughts Begin To Shift To Fall (And Winter)…

While we still have a few weeks left of meteorological summer, we’re hard at work finalizing our fall outlook and prep continues for winter. By the way, our fall outlook will be online Friday morning, the 28th.

From this distance, there’s obviously a risk involved with seasonal data that we’re reviewing and tweaks (particularly to the initial winter idea) will undoubtedly have to be made. In short, we anticipate a weak La Niña to dominate the fall and winter, with a robust MJO.

Of course, it’s important to remember, no La Niña is like the other and a simple “broad brush” approach never works.

Without question, the tropics will claim headlines through the fall. Unfortunately, like others, we anticipate a significant uptick in activity late August into October. A few major hurricanes are likely, as well. The Gulf of Mexico and Carolina coast appears particularly vulnerable…

Most computer model data is leaning towards a warm autumn. We’d agree, overall, but leaning wetter than the majority of data right now, due in large part to tropical impacts.


European seasonal data for September through November.
European seasonal data for September through November.
CFSv2 seasonal data September through November.
CFSv2 seasonal data for September through November.
JAMSTEC seasonal data for September through November.
JAMSTEC seasonal data for September through November.

The coolest of the seasonal data is the CFSv2. It’s easy to interpret a cooler Central and East if the ridge and associated heat is so strong across the West. We will keep close tabs on trends over the next few weeks. Nina falls are notorious for at least a few weeks early on of unseasonably cool weather as well. Stay tuned.

As for winter, from this distance we’re bullish on a wetter, warmer than normal season, locally. Below normal snowfall is expected as of now. A dominant southeast ridge is expected to carry the day, at times flexing north into the TN and Ohio Valley.

European seasonal data November through January.
JAMSTEC seasonal data December through February
CFSV2 seasonal data December through February

Interesting, like fall, the CFSv2 is the “coolest” of the big 3 seasonal models. Again, we’ll continue to keep close eyes on trends. Given performance of recent winters past, you may say I’ll just go with the opposite of what these seasonal models say. You’d have good reason for doing so. Unfortunately, that southeast ridge almost seems like a lock though. It’s also becoming more difficult to ignore the trends over the past decade or two.

Much more later on both fall and winter! Enjoy your Sunday!

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2020/08/09/thoughts-begin-to-shift-to-fall-and-winter/

Weekly #AGwx And #Severe Weather Outlook…

I. Warmer and more humid air builds northeast through the period.

II. Rain and storms return.

While excessive heat isn’t expected, a much warmer and more humid pattern will emerge (compared to late) through the forecast period.
Above average rainfall is expected from the upper Midwest into the Ohio Valley.
Clusters of storms should lead to between 1” and 2” of rain for central Indiana by next Saturday morning. There will be locally heavier amounts.
Storm complexes will have embedded strong to severe thunderstorms this week. Biggest concern will be the potential of damaging straight line winds.

Forecast Period: 08.08.20 through 08.15.20

While we still have one more day of relatively low humidity, that will begin to change for the second half of the weekend. Temperatures will climb to seasonal and above normal levels this week as well. In short, after an unusually refreshing open to August, true late-summer conditions will build back into the region. Rain and storm chances will also increase substantially throughout the week. Some storm complexes will include heavy rain and embedded stronger storms. From this distance it’s hard to pinpoint what day will have the best chance of storms, but agriculture, turf management, and anyone with outdoor plans should prepare for multiple days with weather impacts through the upcoming week. Given the nature of this setup, some communities will likely deal with excessive rain totals by this time next week (unfortunately the pattern still looks wet beyond the period), with widespread 1” to 2” totals across the board.

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2020/08/08/weekly-agwx-and-severe-weather-outlook-17/

VIDEO: Couple More Nice Days Before Humidity Increases (And Storm Chances)…

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