Friday, February 12, 2010

Bring on Spring !!!

Kinda hard to believe that the past 4 February's had between 11 and 16 (that's right in 2008) days that were 70 or above. This year we are zero for 12 with only 16 days left. Long range models show only a couple of opportunities to crack 70 and my thinking is we'll be lucky to see 5 or 6 total days above 70...a cold and nasty month. For this weekend, Saturday will see lots of sunshine with only some high,thin clouds. After a frosty start, highs should rebound into the lower 50s. sunday will be warmer ahead of another front that will bring PM clouds and a few showers by evening time. Colder air is back for Monday and Tuesday with highs Monday 48-52 and Mardi Gras getting into the low-mid 50s.

Saturday is the anniversary of the coldest day on record at Audubon Park. It was 7 degrees back in 1899. I guess I shouldn't complain. Have a great weekend !

3 comments:

Caveman said...

2010 Winter Olympics in Canada having to truck in snow and in some cases use helicopters to bring in snow! Events being cancelled and delayed do to rain falling instead of snow. Climate change?

rowan said...

I've heard a rumor of snow flurries Sunday night/Monday morning. Is this true???

ONLYREAL said...

Cold air is quickly advecting South this afternoon. There is a very strong temperature difference associated with this cold front. According to latest METAR reports, it is 60F in Monroe, La and it is 38F in Little Rock which is a 22F difference. This afternoon's radar indicates the rain/snow line is quickly advancing South. Surface Observations coincide well with radar imagery with most METAR sites in South Central Arkansas reporting snow. Expect the rain/snow line to quickly adjust south as the evening wears on.

The strong cold front will reach the New Orleans area between 8-10 PM this evening. Temperatures will drop rapidly after frontal passage. Perhaps a 15-20F drop in temperature in the 1st hour following frontal passage. During this period of time it will likely be raining. Parameters do support a chance of thunder and lightning with storms that develop this evening.

Once temperatures fall sufficiently, rain will change over to sleet and then possibly snow on the Northshore after midnight. The Southshore will likely only experience a round of boring sleet after 2am. It should be noted that a flurries mixed in isn't out of the realm of possibility.

Skies will clear tomorrow morning and tomorrow will end up being sunny and nice for the parades as long as you dress for it. Highs will stay in the 40's area wide and it will be windy so it will feel like the 30's. The majority of SE LA should experience freezing temperatures Monday night. Fat Tuesdays forecast is a carbon copy of Monday with the only difference being that it will be slightly warmer.

Have a great Mardi Gras!

-ONLYREAL