Category Archives: AG Report

Near Record Warmth & More Heavy Rain…

The big weather story Tuesday across central Indiana will be the near-record warmth.  Typically it’s not until mid-May that average high temperatures climb into the lower to middle 70s, but we’re going to get an early taste of May tomorrow afternoon. Several records are in jeopardy of falling across the Ohio Valley Tuesday.

Steadiest rains will fall across the northern third of the state Tuesday with scattered downpours through the morning and afternoon hours across central Indiana.

Forecast radar 12p Tuesday.

Heavier rain will overspread central Indiana late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning as the cold front settles south.

Forecast radar 4a Wednesday.

As the front continues to sink south, much colder air will quickly overspread the area.  By the rush hour, many neighborhoods north of Indianapolis will already be around freezing.  As moisture continues to stream northeast, areas of freezing rain will be possible on elevated and exposed surfaces Wednesday morning into the afternoon hours.  With the recent warm, wet conditions, we don’t expect significant travel issues across central Indiana.

After a quieter time of things most of Thursday, we’re tracking three additional waves of moisture Friday and through the weekend.  At times, rain will be heavy, and we’ll certainly have to be on guard for water rise and increasing flooding issues as the weekend arrives.

By the time all is set and done Monday morning, we forecast additional widespread 3.5″ to 5″ rainfall totals with locally heavier amounts.

 

No Comments 7-Day Outlook, AG Report, Flooding, Forecast Discussion, Forecast Models, Heavy Rain, Record Weather, Unseasonably Warm

Saturday Morning Rambles: Periods Of Heavy Rain Early Next Week…

I. A weak weather maker will help spread a mixture of light rain and snow across the state later today, particularly this afternoon and evening.  Precipitation amounts will remain light and insignificant, but serve as a nuisance as you go about your weekend plans.

II.  We’re hopeful for much needed sunshine Sunday as we’ll be in between storm systems, however any sun that we see won’t last long.

A rather ominous setup for heavy rain will take place Monday into Wednesday.  This will include a combination of ingredients as a strong southeast ridge will prevent much forward motion of a “wavy” front that will drape itself across the Ohio Valley region.  Additionally, the subtropical jet will transport moisture-rich air northward into the area (true Gulf of Mexico connection).

While this is an unseasonably warm pattern (we forecast highs of 50°, or above, 5 out of 7 of the upcoming days, and at least 2 60°+ days), it’s one that will likely result in periods of heavy rain not only next week, but in waves over the upcoming 10 days.

Widespread 10-day rainfall numbers of 3″ to 4″ will be likely in this setup, including locally heavier amounts of 5″ to 6″ in spots.  Certainly, if you live near waterways we suggest having a plan in place as it’s not a matter of if, but when flooding takes place in spots across the region with such a setup.

III. Longer-term, we still need to be wary of the potential of a colder pattern returning as we get into March.  That forecast deep negative arctic oscillation (AO) has to raise an eyebrow for the possibility of making up for lost time in the cold weather department before we can signal “all clear” on winter…

No Comments 10-day, AG Report, AO, Flooding, Forecast Discussion, Forecast Models, Heavy Rain, Unseasonably Warm, Weather Rambles

Wednesday Morning Notebook: Thursday Storm Threat; Heavy Rain Next Week…

I. Scattered light showers will impact the southern half of the state today, but these won’t be a big deal and more of just a nuisance for our Valentine’s Day.  Temperatures will remain in the 40s for most of the afternoon before rising overnight.

Forecast radar today at 3p shows scattered light showers around.

II. A cold front will drop in Thursday evening and this will deliver more widespread heavier rainfall and even a couple of thunderstorms Thursday night.  In general, we expect 0.50″ to 1″ of rain to fall.

III. We’ll turn briefly colder to close the work week. A couple of light snow showers are possible Friday morning and a wave of low pressure will “try” to push moisture into the cold air Saturday.  As of now, we remain unimpressed with the prospect of impactful wintry weather Saturday, but have included the potential of wet snow in our Saturday forecast.  Precipitation appears to be very light.  Nonetheless, we’ll continue to keep an eye on things.

IV. The pattern continues to scream and warm and wet next week as a big ole southeast ridge remains in place.  This will direct the steering current into the TN and OH Valley regions and multiple waves of rain, occasionally heavy, will result beginning early next week and continuing into the middle and latter portions of the week.  Widespread 2″ to 3″ totals with locally heavier amounts seems to be a good bet next week.

We note a true Gulf connection and precipitable water values that will exceed 300% of normal at times.  Parts of the Ohio Valley will deal with flooding, but it’s premature to get more specific than that from this distance.  If you live near waterways, plan to keep a close eye on future updates and forecasts.

V. We note data continues to suggest a colder period looms as we close out the month of February and head into March. Note how the GEFS and EPS continues to tank the Arctic Oscillation (AO).  Winter’s not over, not by a long shot…

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Bet On The Cold…

During wholesale pattern transitions, operational data will struggle at times, including some wild run-to-run swings.  Earlier this week, the European wanted to put early next week in the lower 50s.  At the same time, the GFS suggested lower single digits.  Precisely, it was a difference of 46° between the two models for a high?!  🙂

We note the teleconnections (in particular, the EPO) are aligning in a manner conducive for widespread cold.

The GEFS might be a bit quick on dropping the arctic hammer, but the consistency of the model is impressive.  Meanwhile, the European (even it’s ensemble data) has been much less consistent and has really been struggling the past couple of winters, overall, as a whole.

While we can argue as to just how cold it’ll get through the early part of February, the overwhelming message is that a prolonged colder than normal pattern will develop during this time period.

Let’s also keep in mind that the initial cold onslaught is coming in the face of the MJO still rumbling through the warm phases.  We note the European is consistently having to correct towards a more “amped up” MJO- swinging into the cold phases as we approach mid-month.  And it’s mid-February that continues to have us concerned for the potential of truly nasty, severe cold.

As for snow, it’ll come in this pattern.  Again, don’t get caught up in the operational output, but understand that the pattern over the upcoming 7-10 days favors numerous fast-moving snow systems.  While most of these will be light, we’ll have to keep a close eye on things as the potential exists for one of these waves to spin up a moderate event.

As we look ahead to Week 2, the potential is there for a more widespread significant phased interior threat prior to the dumping of the bitterly cold air for mid-month.

As it is, both the GEFS and EPS “mean” paint a bullish signal for piling snow up over the next couple weeks…

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