Category: Long Range Discussion

Monday Morning Weather Rambles…

Walking out the door this morning feels dramatically different than what we’ve enjoyed over the weekend!  Not only are humidity levels much higher, but temperatures are 15-20 degrees warmer than what they were this time 24 hours ago across the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes.

t0

With the increased warmth and humidity, it’s not going to take much to kick scattered showers and thunderstorms off.  That’s exactly what we’re seeing across central Indiana this morning.  Locally heavy downpours are possible under any of the stronger storms.

Look at the Northeast region radar snapped at 8am, courtesy of the Penn State e-wall site:

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As for precipitation amounts, it still appears as if we’re in a wetter than normal regime over the next couple weeks.  As of this morning, we’re officially running 1.56″ above normal at IND year-to-date.  A look over a blend of GFS, Euro, and Canadian would imply widespread 2-3″ amounts over the upcoming two weeks, with locally heavier totals where local downpours occur.  This is NOT what one wanting a hot pattern to lock in wants to hear.

While warmth and humidity will be the story this week, we still think we turn cooler to wrap up June.  We’ve been talking about a cooler than normal pattern developing for late month and latest guidance continues to suggest that thinking has merit.  Much more later!  BTW- your 7-day forecast can be found here.

Geopotential32at32500hPa_North32America_240wk1.wk2_20140615.NAsfcT z500_anom_f192_ussm

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2014/06/16/monday-morning-weather-rambles-2/

Thursday Morning Long Range Outlook…

Good morning!  We’ll have your full, updated, 7-day forecast posted here later this evening!  We wanted to discuss a few of the weather highlights as we move forward the next week, and beyond!

1.  A cold front will move through tonight and early Friday.  A shower or thunderstorm is possible as the front moves through, but won’t be a huge deal. Best rain/ storm chances appear to be across eastern portions of the region.

2.  Temperatures and humidity values will be at levels simply as pleasant as you can ask for this time of year Friday and Saturday.  Upper 60s to lower 70s during the afternoon and overnight lows in the upper 40s to lower 50s.  Hint of fall before true summer even begins?!  I’ll take it!

3.  Heat and humidity builds next week with ridging, but we continue to think this is a transient type pattern and seeds are already being planted for cooler times once past June 20th.  A couple days of 90 degree heat are possible mid to late next week.  Furthermore, with all of the moisture in the ground, humidity levels will be oppressive.  In other words, it turns hot and humid next week, but nothing too unusual for this time of year.  Like so many other times it’s tried to get hot this year, it seems as if the seeds for cooler are already being seen.

Lets examine some of the mid to long range model data.  We’ll start with a look at the 500 mb pattern off the GFS reforecast product from the Physical Science Division (PSD).  Note the riding that develops next week, but also note the trough and associated cooler pattern showing up just after the 20th.

z500_anom_f072_ussmz500_anom_f144_ussmz500_anom_f216_ussm

The GFS ensembles show the warmth (they still aren’t representing the warmth to the magnitude in which we’re going to see in my opinion, but you get the overall idea) next week and the coming cooler pattern around, and after, the 20th, relative to normal.

D6D9

The Canadian NAEFS product is next, outlining the temperature anomalies 6/20-6/27.  Note the warmer temperatures relative to normal (represented by the reds and orange hues) shifting off the east coast and the cooler temperatures (blue shades) developing and spreading east through the center of the country.

2014061200_054@007_E1_north@america_I_NAEFS@TEMPERATURE_anomaly@probability@combined@week2_198

Finally, let’s look at the CFSv2 weeks 3-4 product.  Again, we admit this model can be erratic at times, but we feel like it has a good handle on the coming pattern, as well, in this particular case.  The greens show the cooler than average pattern anticipated as we go through the back 7-10 days of June.

wk3.wk4_20140609.NAsfcT

As we close, it should also be noted that the overall active and wetter than normal pattern looks to continue as we put a wrap to the month of June.  We’re already off to a near-record pace for June rainfall across central Indiana and while we’ll have some dry days, the overall theme remains an active and wet one in the weeks ahead.

Much more with your full 7-day forecast later this evening!

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2014/06/12/thursday-morning-weather-rambles-2/

Tuesday Evening Video Update!

Good evening and thank you for logging onto IndyWx.com!  Tonight’s video covers the unsettled time of things tonight into Wednesday morning as low pressure continues to have a hold on our area’s weather.  Also, we talk long range weather and give you an idea of what you can expect for the rest of the month of June, temperature-wise!  While we didn’t get into the precipitation side of things in tonight’s video for late month, I will say it continues to look very unsettled with above average rainfall anticipated to wrap up the month of June.  Anywhere from an additional 3-5″ of rain is possible as we go through the rest of the month here across central Indiana.

While the CFSv2 can be a bit erratic at times, we feel the model has a good handle on the way the overall pattern will evolve late June into July.

While the CFSv2 can be a bit erratic at times, we feel the model has a good handle on the way the overall pattern will evolve late June into July.

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2014/06/10/tuesday-evening-video-update/

Another Nice Weekend In The Middle Of An Unsettled Pattern…

The upcoming 7-10 days looks unsettled overall and quite wet.  That said, we’re set to enjoy another beautiful weekend with a refreshing northeast breeze in play.  We discuss this and look deeper into the month of June in this evening’s video update below!

Latest model data suggests widespread 2-3" of rain could fall across central Indiana over the course of the upcoming 7-10 days.

Latest model data suggests widespread 2-3″ of rain could fall across central Indiana over the course of the upcoming 7-10 days.

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2014/05/27/another-nice-weekend-in-the-middle-of-an-unsettled-pattern/

Indy Weather Recap And A Look Ahead

Wednesday was a stormy day across central Indiana, including damaging wind and hail. Flooding was also a concern in some areas.  Officially here at IndyWx.com HQ we picked up 2.21″ of rain Wednesday- most of which fell in a 3 hour time period.  Here’s a cool image from the fine folks at Weatherbell Analytics showcasing the heaviest rainfall.

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Despite a couple of showers (primarily south of the city) later this evening the upcoming three days will be beautiful and rain-free!

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Temperatures are trending cooler when compared to 24 hours ago and as noted here by the 24 temperature difference, the cooler air to our north will continue to push south tonight.

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Temperatures and humidity levels will be below normal levels the next couple days before warmth slowly builds Sunday.  Lows Saturday morning will dip into the upper 40s for several communities.

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True summer-like heat and humidity will lift north Memorial Day into Tuesday.  Note the temperature anomalies do an about face from Day 1 to Day 5.  Heat and humidity will be on the rebound for the unofficial start to summer, but, as noted above, should remain in the “comfy range” for race day.

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With the increasing warmth and humidity will come a return of scattered shower and thunderstorm chances early next week.

As we look forward to early June, there are indications it could open on the warm side.  Note relative agreement between the CFSv2 (Climate Forecast System version 2), NAEFS, and Physical Science Division model.  Does the warm pattern stick and hold?  Not so fast, my friend… 😉

2014052212_054@007_E1_north@america_I_NAEFS@TEMPERATURE_anomaly@probability@combined@week2_186wk1.wk2_20140521.NAsfcTt850_anom_f288_ussm

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2014/05/22/indy-weather-recap-and-a-look-ahead/

Lots Of Weather To Talk About…

There are growing concerns about quite the rainy and cold close to April and open to May. We’ll discuss that in a bit. The month so far has been cold…

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Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2014/04/22/lots-of-weather-to-talk-about/

Where We’ve Been And Where We’re Going…

It was a cold winter across the Lower 48, including Indiana:

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March has followed suite, month-to-date:  Cold continues for the majority of the upcoming week, but we note moderating late week temperatures.

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It’s been dry as of late, but after a snowy winter, the region is doing just fine from a drought perspective.  We note abnormally dry conditions west:

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Latest CFSv2 data points to a wet spring ahead.  We also note the latest European weeklies suggesting a potentially “busy” 1st half of April, including a couple of “bowling ball” systems of note.  With the changing seasons, it’s not unusual to see big spring cut off lows slowly moving through portions of the country.

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Note the GFS (7-day) and Canadian (10-day) precipitation forecast:

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We also are still forecasting light snow Tuesday.  Most of this won’t accumulate with the high sun angle and low snowfall rates, but a brief coating to less than an inch is possible in spots:

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Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2014/03/22/where-weve-been-and-where-were-going/

Video Update On The Mid Month Storm Brewing…

We wanted to take the time to quickly update you on a couple of very minor events in here tomorrow evening and again Saturday.  Additionally, we’re monitoring the prospects of…

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Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2014/03/04/video-update-on-the-mid-month-storm-brewing/

Looking Ahead; Cold Pattern Reloads.

We’ll have your updated 7-Day forecast posted later today.

The latest mid and long range guidance continues to suggest we’re heading into another prolonged period of below normal temperatures.

Ensemble data (below) shows ridging in the northeast Pacific, extending into Alaska and this pattern has been one of the big reasons as to why we’ve dealt with so many arctic intrusions this winter.  (The first image is a look at the upper air pattern dated Feb. 26th and the second is dated March 11th).

Ridging in this particular part of the globe often times dislodges the cold air and someone “down stream” has to deal with below normal air.  The recipient of being “down stream” has just so happened to be the upper Mid West into the Ohio Valley and much of the eastern half of the country this winter.  That doesn’t show any signs of changing over the next couple weeks, at least.  It’s possible we could deal with a day or two of milder weather thrown in the mix, but the overwhelming majority of the upcoming couple weeks looks much colder than normal.

GEFS1GEFS2

The result is a continuation of much below normal cold in our part of the country.  The following graphics illustrate temperature anomalies (in celsius) centered on 5 days between Feb. 23rd-28th and March 6th-11th.  Below normal temperatures continue.

GEFS3GEFS4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A couple of additional thoughts around the upcoming cold pattern: While we can’t show the images here (license issues), the “secret” European weeklies and ensemble data continues the cold, stormy regime across the east for the better part of the upcoming 30 days, with a couple of brief periods of milder, “calmer” weather.

Finally, the CFSv2 suggests the cold regime continues, as well.  The first image shows upcoming weeks 1 and 2 and the second shows temperature anomalies weeks 3 and 4.  Note the CFSv2 shows southeast ridging developing towards the end of the period, potentially suggesting a big fight goes on between the cold to the north and the budding spring conditions to the south- a stormy suggestion…

CFSv2Wk1:2CFSv2Wk3:4

In closing, it’s important to note that all of the fancy graphics shown above are simply model guidance and it’s up to us, the forecasters, to interpret the data the best way possible to put together the most accurate mid to long range ideas for you, the viewer.  While nothing is a guarantee in this business, it does appear as if chances are quite high that our region deals with another few weeks of colder than normal conditions and potentially active weather ahead.  Stay tuned.

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2014/02/23/looking-ahead-cold-pattern-reloads/

Cold Today; Messy Monday Ahead.

Sun.

Mon.

Tue.

Wed.

Thr.

Fri.

Sat.

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 Status-weather-freezing-rain-icon

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16/ 25

15/ 33

20/ 39

24/ 42

35/ 57

28/ 45

28/ 50 

0.00”

1-3″ (and ice)

0.00”

Trace

0.50″-1.00″

0.00″

0.00”

Forecast Updated 02.16.14 @ 11:15a

Cold Sunday…Fresh off celebrating our snowiest winter on record (surpassed last night at IND at 51.6″ and the Record Event Report can be found here), we’ll enjoy a dry day, but blowing and drifting snow will remain an issue in the open country. A few breaks in the cloud cover can be expected this afternoon on what will otherwise be a rather cloudy day.  Highs will only climb into the lower to middle 20s (well below the average high of 40 and closer to the normal low of 24).  Yes, our cold, snowy winter just keeps on keepin’ on!

Snow And Ice Issues Monday…A storm system will move through the region Monday and deliver a mixture of precipitation types across central Indiana.  The way we see things unfolding as of this forecast update brings a wintry mix of sleet and snow into the city around noon with periods of moderate to even heavy wintry precipitation falling into the mid to late afternoon hours before we begin to see the shield of moisture push northeast.  This will be a “thump and go” type event.

As for precipitation type, this remains a challenge and will require much fine tuning later tonight and through the day tomorrow (another now cast scenario).  We’re thinking mostly snow is the dominant form of precipitation from the northern suburbs of Indianapolis and points north.  Here, 2-3″ of wet snow is possible, polished off with a light glaze of a freezing rain/sleet mixture before precipitation ends.  For the city, itself, we think around 1-2″ of snow is possible with a glaze of freezing rain of around a tenth of an inch. Farther south, to include the southern Indianapolis suburbs, an icy mixture of sleet and freezing rain will be the concern with glaze potential approaching one quarter inch.  Again, we caution this is our best idea at this point and we’ll post some fresh thoughts later this evening.

Needless to say, tomorrow stands to include treacherous driving conditions in and around central Indiana and the National Weather Service will likely issue Winter Weather/ Freezing Rain Advisories later this afternoon to account for the wintry conditions anticipated tomorrow afternoon.

Flooding Concerns On The Rise…With such a deep snowpack across central Indiana, combined with a frozen ground, flooding concerns will be on the rise as early as the middle to latter part of the week.  We think dry and chilly (albeit milder) conditions will be with us Tuesday, but low clouds, fog, and drizzle likely develop by Wednesday as milder air streams north over the snowpack locked in across the region.

By Thursday, our attention turns to the potential of heavy rain and a couple of thunderstorms as a cold front blows through the region.  Early ideas of Thursday rainfall numbers would suggest anywhere from .50-1″ of rain is laid down and when combined with the heavy snow pack and milder air, flooding concerns will certainly be present.  Needless to say, if you live in a flood prone area, please monitor the situation closely later this week.

Winter Blows Back In…As promised, the briefly milder shot of air would be just that- brief.  We continue to monitor data that suggests a colder, more wintry, pattern blows right back into the region to wrap up February.

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Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2014/02/16/cold-today-messy-monday-ahead/

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