Category: Arctic Cold

Jan 17

Frigid Air Relaxes; What Awaits?

2018 has opened on an absolutely frigid note.  Indianapolis is running an amazing 11° below average through mid-month.

Eight mornings so far this winter have plunged below zero.  We’ll see if we can add another to that list this morning (IND is officially at 0° as we write this).

52% of the country is covered in snow.  In fact, my old stomping grounds of Auburn, AL received 3″ of the white stuff overnight!

If you’re sick and tired of the cold, wintry conditions relief is on the way.  We’ll turn “less cold” through late-week and above normal over the weekend (around 40° Saturday and into the upper 40s Sunday).

A storm system will cut into the ridge Sunday with showers (image 1) followed by “backlash” snow showers and gusty winds Monday (image 2).

Thereafter, models see another storm that will approach the region late next week.  Since cold air won’t be readily available, it’ll take the perfect track to get impactful wintry conditions from this next event.  We’ll monitor things closely next week.  With this near Day 10, models will continue to struggle with timing, track, and intensity over the next few days.

As a whole, the second half of January should run milder than average.  However, as we all know, that doesn’t mean we won’t have wintry challenges to deal with.  The upcoming (10) days illustrates that nicely.  Looking ahead, we note the MJO is forecast to rumble through the warmer phases (especially if you’re reading this from the eastern regions of the country- where we expect warmth to be most anomalous into early February).

Other teleconnections also support a relaxation of the cold, and warmer times, overall, with the exception of the Arctic Oscillation which remains negative through the period.

It should be noted that the longer range data and overall trends, supported by our analogs, suggest winter roars back with authority as we get into February.  In fact, winter might not be so quick to leave this year either.  Data paints a cold, wintry open to meteorological spring this year, but we’re getting way ahead of ourselves.  It is only mid-January, after all.  🙂

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/frigid-air-relaxes-what-awaits/

Jan 16

Frigid Times; Moderating This Weekend…

Highlights:

  • Dangerously cold
  • Dry times return
  • Moderating this weekend

Bitter, Bitter…Arctic high pressure will dominate our weather through the early and mid week stretch.  We note high resolution modeling trying to swing a couple bands of light lake effect snow through north-central Indiana later this afternoon and evening and we’ll continue to keep snow showers in our forecast for this reason.  Otherwise, cold is the story today.  We’re starting our Tuesday adding yet another sub-zero low to the already impressive list this winter.  Cold continues Wednesday before beginning to turn “less cold” through late week.

Our next storm system will approach this weekend.  As low pressure tracks into the Great Lakes, a milder southwesterly flow will allow temperatures to zoom all the way up close to 50° by Sunday.  Fog and drizzle will develop Saturday before “showery” and breezy conditions build in ahead of the front Sunday.

Upcoming 7-Day Precipitation Forecast:

  • Snowfall:  Dusting
  • Rainfall: 0.40″ to 0.50″

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/frigid-times-moderating-this-weekend/

Jan 15

Monday Morning Notes…

Bursts of moderate to heavy snow will work across the metro during the next couple hours. This will lead to significant drops in visibility and serve to mess up roadways even more than they currently are. If you don’t have to travel through the morning hours we recommend staying home and allowing road crews time to get things cleaned up.

Most of the steady accumulating snow will be over with by late morning and we’ll just be left with scattered snow showers through the afternoon hours. Perhaps the bigger story by then will be significant blowing and drifting snow as gusty westerly winds help usher in colder air. If your travels include country roads, or north-south oriented highways, plan on considerable blowing and drifting snow this afternoon and evening.

We have no changes to our going snowfall forecast with this system.

Finally, as the arctic front sweeps through the state this afternoon, it’ll likely kick up some intense, blinding snow bursts.  While these won’t last long, they’ll blast through during the evening rush and will serve to dramatically lower visibility.  We note high resolution models are picking up on these snow bursts on forecast radar products.

We’re left tonight with bitterly cold conditions that will continue to grip the region through midweek. Most of us Tuesday morning will be below zero. A moderating trend will develop by late week, continuing through the weekend!

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/monday-morning-notes/

Jan 14

Gas Up The Plows; Arctic Air Returns…

Highlights:

  • Heavy snow Monday morning
  • Bitter air returns
  • Milder, wet weekend

Snowy Open To The Week…A vigorous clipper system and associated arctic cold front will drop southeast and spread a swath of snow across the region tonight into Monday.  We expect light snow to encompass most of central Indiana later this evening (between 7p and 10p west to east) before increasing in overall intensity during the overnight.  Periods of moderate to heavy snow can be expected during the mid-morning hours Monday, including impressive snowfall rates at times.  Allow plenty of extra time to reach your destination Monday.  Steady snow will give way to scattered snow showers during the afternoon, continuing into Tuesday as fresh arctic air pours into the region.  By the time all is said and done, most of the region can expect a fresh 2″ to 4″, including some locally heavier totals.  The other item on the agenda will be blowing and drifting snow that we’ll have to deal with Monday afternoon through the night and into Tuesday.

Arctic high pressure will settle overhead Tuesday night through the midweek stretch, allowing sunshine to return, but we’ll remain well below average (average temperatures this time of year include highs in the mid-30s and lows around 20).

A moderating trend takes place late week, but the “less cold” air will come with gusty southwesterly winds and increasing clouds Friday.  Those clouds will give way to periods of rain along with milder conditions over the weekend as an area of low pressure tracks into the Great Lakes.

Upcoming 7-Day Precipitation Forecast:

  • Snowfall: 2″ to 4″ (locally heavier totals)
  • Rainfall: 0.25″ to 0.75″

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/gas-up-the-plows-arctic-air-returns/

Jan 14

VIDEO: Moderate To Heavy Snow Moves In Monday Morning…

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Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/video-moderate-to-heavy-snow-moves-in-monday-morning/