Category: Client

All-Access Morning Video Update: Tracking 3 Storm Systems And An Overall Shift To A Colder Pattern…

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Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2019/02/13/all-access-morning-video-update-tracking-3-storm-systems-and-an-overall-shift-to-a-colder-pattern/

We Have The Storms; Time To Add The Cold…

Over the past month, a widespread portion of the Ohio Valley, including central Indiana, is running close to 200% of average in the precipitation department. There’s no wonder flooding issues have resulted in spots- especially across the lower OHV region.

As we look ahead, the active storm track will persist, but there will be one key missing ingredient from the better part of the past couple of weeks and that’s more in the way of sustained cold. After reviewing some of the latest data, there’s no reason to change our ongoing idea of the transitional period (in the midst of that now) giving way towards one that will feature more in the way of “lock and load” cold in that 2.18 through 3.10 time period. We expect this period will run well below average in the temperature department and above average in the snowfall category. Snow removal clients, we recommend gearing up for a busy time of things over the upcoming few weeks.

The basis of this idea initially focused squarely on the MJO and the fact that modeling was keying in on things swinging into the favorable cold phases of 8, 1, and 2.

Taken at face value, this would be the corresponding upper air look in those respective phases:

Phase 8 (coldest)

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3 (cold begins to “back into the west and there’s at least a hint of the SE ridge returning)

As most longtime followers know, we put more stock into the NAO state during the latter winter and spring months, as this teleconnection can “trump” others during this time frame. We notice the NAO is forecast to trend negative as we progress through the back half of February.

A negative NAO will result in widespread cold this time of year:

After remaining strongly positive for the past couple of weeks, the AO is forecast to plunge negative as we progress through the remainder of February. Again, this increases confidence on a return of more sustained and significant cold potential.

It should also be pointed out that the active pattern should continue, especially considering the southeast ridge should put up some resistance over the upcoming couple of weeks. The latest ensemble products would agree in the mean upper air pattern:

With colder air overwhelming the pattern, more of these storms will be capable of producing impactful wintry precipitation over the upcoming few weeks. After storms grab the headline, attention will shift to the possibility of another significant arctic blast before the end of the month.

In the more immediate term, we continue to keep close tabs on the following dates for the potential of snow and/ or ice:

I. Friday night, 2/15 and Saturday, 2/16- southern half of Indiana

II. Sunday, 2/17

III. Tuesday night, 2/19 and Wednesday, 2/20

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2019/02/12/we-have-the-storms-time-to-add-the-cold/

All-Access Video Update: Timing Out The Wintry Threats In The Upcoming Week (And Beyond)…

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Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2019/02/12/all-access-video-update-timing-out-the-wintry-threats-in-the-upcoming-week-and-beyond/

No Rest For The Weary; Reviewing The New European Weeklies…

In the short-term, rainfall will increase in overall coverage and intensity as we progress through the overnight and on into Tuesday morning.

Most central Indiana rain gauges can expect to accumulate between 0.50″ and 1.00″ tonight into Tuesday morning. Heavier amounts will be found downstate.

We continue to closely monitor the precise track of vigorous upper level energy that will result in a narrow, but more intense, band of snow Tuesday afternoon into the evening hours. While temperatures will be marginal, it wouldn’t shock us in the least by a wet 1″ to 2″ stripe of snow that’s laid down in a narrow southwest to northeast corridor and this will warrant close attention with subsequent model updates overnight. An early idea of where this may be is below:

Regardless of where this potentially more significant snowband lies, all of us will get in on the “backlash” snow showers/ squall action Tuesday evening and night.

Looking ahead, continued active times loom. We’re tracking additional storms Thursday night into Friday and again over the upcoming weekend. Yet another storm is slated for an arrival early parts of the following week. As cold air continues to get more involved, these storm systems will be plenty capable of dealing out more in the way of wintry “fun and games,” but the pattern is “hectic” right now and each storm will have to be dealt with as they come. Understanding that it’s still in the 6-10 day time period, the storm early next week seems to have the greatest potential of widespread wintry implications of significance. This is given the overall pattern evolution away from the “transitional” period we’re currently in and squarely inside the cold/ wintry window we’ve been outlining from 2/18 through 3/10. Time will tell…

European Weeklies

The new European Weeklies show the cold currently confined to the PAC NW and northern Plains “spreading out” and encompassing a more widespread portion of the country- especially from the Appalachians and points west (but periodically making it as far east as the coast). The cold is forecast by the model to dive deep into the southern Plains and into the Southeast as we move into the latter parts of February into early March. Perhaps the biggest change from tonight’s update from Thursday is the idea that the cold will linger deeper into March than previously thought. (Please note this doesn’t change our current *official* idea of cold lifting by mid-month, but simply just rehashing model output). Let’s see if we can get some consistency to develop before altering our current forecast.

From a teleconnection stand point, the model does take the NAO neutral to negative late Feb into early March before returning things solidly positive by mid-month.

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2019/02/11/no-rest-for-the-weary-reviewing-the-new-european-weeklies/

Heavy Rain Arrives Tonight; Accumulating Snow Band May Setup Shop For Portions Of The Area Tuesday…

A busy pattern continues with heavy rain tonight. Attention then shifts to the potential of a band of accumulating snow, associated with a vigorous piece of upper level energy Tuesday…

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Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2019/02/11/heavy-rain-arrives-tonight-accumulating-snow-band-may-setup-shop-for-portions-of-the-area-tuesday/

All-Access Sunday Evening Video Update…

Another busy weather week is dialed up for central Indiana, including flooding and accumulating snow. We also look ahead to late month and early March…

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Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2019/02/10/all-access-sunday-evening-video-update/

Transition Period Set To Give Way To A Big Finish To Winter?

We don’t see any reason to alter our thinking of how the upcoming (4) weeks plays out:

This week features a transitional pattern back to a predominantly colder and snowier than average period from 2/18 through 3/10.

The MJO continues to have Phase 8 on its mind.

To no surprise, the GEFS is going right to what a Phase 8 should yield:

Days 1-5

Days 6-10

Days 10-14

With widespread cold set to once again overwhelm the pattern, the active storm track will begin to take on an increasingly snowy theme in the aforementioned period. This is a type pattern that may once again challenge cold records somewhere in the late February or early March time frame. While likely not to the magnitude of the bitter blast a couple weeks ago, it wouldn’t surprise us in the least to head back to record daily cold territory before pulling out of this pattern and heading on towards spring.

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2019/02/10/transition-period-set-to-give-way-to-a-big-finish-to-winter/

Snow Arrives By Late Morning…

Brief: Accumulating snow and freezing rain

Forecaster: McMillan

What: Accumulating snow and freezing rain

When: Late morning into early evening

Temperatures: Lower 20s rising to around freezing by tonight

Wind: SE to S 5-15 MPH

Blowing/ Drifting: Non-existent 

A weak disturbance will spread moisture into central Indiana as we close the weekend. Snow will reach Indianapolis and surrounding communities mid-to-late morning, continuing into the afternoon hours. Snowfall intensity will remain light with occasional moderate bursts. Banding potential will be highest north of the city, resulting in 2” totals being more common. As relatively milder air gets pulled north, a period of light freezing rain/ freezing drizzle is expected Sunday afternoon and evening.

Confidence: HighN

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2019/02/10/snow-arrives-by-late-morning/

Snow Arrives Sunday Morning; Freezing Rain Follows…

Brief: Accumulating snow and freezing rain

Forecaster: McMillan

What: Accumulating snow and freezing rain

When: Late Sunday morning into Sunday evening

Temperatures: Lower 20s rising to near freezing by Sunday night

Wind: SE to S 5-15 MPH

Blowing/ Drifting: Non-existent

After a quiet Saturday, moisture will overspread central Indiana as we close the weekend. Snow will reach Indianapolis and surrounding communities mid-to-late morning Sunday, continuing into the afternoon hours. Snowfall intensity will remain light with occasional moderate bursts. As relatively milder air gets pulled north, a period of light freezing rain/ freezing drizzle is expected Sunday evening.

Confidence: High

Next Update: 6:30a Sunday

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2019/02/09/snow-arrives-sunday-morning-freezing-rain-follows/

Saturday Morning All-Access Video Update…

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