Spring 2020...Different Strokes For Different Folks

As mentioned earlier, the Vernal Equinox (Spring) is tonight at 10:49 PM.  For some, Spring means warmer, while for others it often means stormier.

My home thermometer usually reads 2-3 degrees higher than the official NWS temps, but still 85.8 sure gives a Spring feel here today.  Contrast that to my oldest son (Rob) out in Longmont (outside Boulder) Colorado where this morning his yard showed some hints of green, but by this afternoon was covered in white.   Spring snow is often pretty, but it's that heavy, wet (heart attack) snow that is hard to shovel.

We finally have a March storm to talk about and this isn't the last as a series of systems will be crashing the West Coast and marching eastward for the next 7-10 days.  I don't see a front getting near us until late Friday or early on Saturday so expect more near record warmth.

The western trough still has a ways to go before it breaks down and models are hinting the last week in March will be noticeably cooler for even the Southern states.  I have NOT put away my sweaters just yet as the coming cool down will last into early April.  I noticed several comments asking for those nice Spring days where mornings are crispy cool and afternoons comfy warm with low humidity.  They are coming Gang as we will not jump right into summer-like heat right away.

Finally, you know I love to look at Satellite views to pick out different features.  For instance, look at how Lake Pontchartrain has no clouds over it with a Lake "shadow" effect extending onto the North Shore.  The sun bubbles up clouds over land, but not over the water areas.  The "shadow effect" extends in the direction the wind is blowing towards.  Same thing over south Florida.  Lake Okeechobee has no clouds with the shadow effect extending to the NW since the winds are blowing from the ESE.  You can see that effect all along its east coast as clear skies spread inland for 15-20 miles while the clouds that develop over land are pushed right to the west coast.  Interesting stuff if you look for it.  Stay tuned!