Brief Cool Down, Huge Weekend Warm Up

 A cold front brought us some much needed rainfall over night even though amounts were only 1/4 to 1/2".  North winds are bringing in cooler air, but the higher February sun angle has moderated the chill with many areas 60+.  This front is not like the Arctic front of last week.  It will bring some freezing temps to the North Shore, but most areas south of Lake P. should stay above freezing. I may bring my tropical plants back into my He-Shed just in case temps get lower than predicted.

After Friday morning, Temps really recover to give us a Spring-like feel to the air for this weekend.  In fact, the road to Mardi Gras looks very mild with no real cold coming back.

That does not mean Winter is over and we'll have no more freeze.  It just means the current pattern of a cold East Coast trough will lift out with an upper ridge forming over us.

 

The upper ridge currently over the West will shift over us.  You can see that warming across the western states.

It remains cold over the Great Lakes & Northeast, but the core of that cold will stay to our north and east, unlike last week.

 

As you can see, the warm up next week will get us back way above normal (64).  there might be a day or two that we'll have to deal with showers, but over all, the Road to Mardi Gras is looking good.  finally...

The John Snell podcast from yesterday was well liked by most of my subscribers.  You can always join to see that podcast plus all the others by visiting bobbreck.com and signing up ($2/month).  During hurricane season, it will be priceless!  But why wait and miss my discussing future topics like FOX 8 personalities, global warming and other weather features that you want to know about.  Suggestions are always welcomed. Stay tuned!

Next Front Weaker, Some Needed Showers, Phil Saw His Shadow

After another freezing start (29 at MSY), bright sunshine has allowed us to quickly warm to near 60. Tuesday might top 70 if we have enough sunshine ahead of our next front Tuesday night into Wednesday. We aren't the only ones seeing the shadows today as Punxsutawney Phil  (official Groundhog) saw his shadow, proclaiming 6 more weeks of Winter.  That really doesn't mean a thing for those of us scientists who have studied weather over the centuries.  The north ALWAYS has 6-8 more weeks of Winter while those of us in the South know trees/flowers start blooming once into March.  But the myth continues.  I grabbed these shots while watching The Weather Channel this morning.

It's become a big business day as thousands show up to view Phil & buy all the different stuff vendors offer for sale.  For us, we're just trying to recover from this massive Arctic outbreak that has pushed through the Gulf and into the Caribbean.

Despite bright sunshine, most of Florida, including Miami, will stay in the 50s!

 

We have a pattern change coming as the deep east coast trough has lifted out, and a weak upper ridge moves over us, bringing a brief warm-up.

You can see the surge of warmer air across Texas and up the Front Range of the Rockies.  Also, there is a surge in low-level moisture coming off the Gulf as 50-60 degree dew points head northward.  Our next front will arrive early on Wednesday, and that should trigger some showers before our next cool down for Wednesday PM into early on Friday.

Hopefully, these warmer temps will quickly melt the snow cover that is still visible on satellite views.

Note, the South Shore stays above freezing all week.  I have moved my plants out of my shed and uncovered those in the ground.  The ones I didn't protect are toast, and I'll pull them out once we warm up later this month.  Remember, I will have my next podcast tomorrow.

It's an enjoyable 35 minutes learning about the REAL John Snell, including 

getting to know his wife Anita.  However, you must subscribe ($2/month) at bobbreck.com to hear & see John's story.  We'll focus more on Hurricanes once we reach April, but during the cold months, I'm interviewing some of your favorite Ch. 8 personalities.  There are no ads, and for $2/month, it's a no-brainer.  Come join us.  Stay tuned and HAPPY Groundhog Day!