Da Cold Is Coming...

Now that Hurricane Season is done for the Gulf, we shift our focus to Winter cold events.  It has been a real lovely November (warm & dry), but that is about to change.  Notice the upper air pattern shift predicted for the next 2 weeks.

The top graphic is today's 500 mb (18,000') flow that is basically west to east with a minor trough over the northern Rockies and another over the Great Lakes.  The bottom view is for Dec. 3rd that develops a deep cutoff (slow moving) upper low over the central plains and Ohio Valley.   That would draw down cold air from Canada and keep us cloudy and wet for an extended period.,,heavy coat weather!

As you can see, Canada is generally in the single digits or colder while the northern plains are in the 30s & 40s.   My thinking is the first week in December here will be a flip flop from our recent mild weather.   Look for highs in the 50s & lows in the 40s with several rainy days.  Ugh!

A weak cold front moved through this morning bringing back the good feel air with low dew points.  Satellite views show how the low clouds have pushed off our coast, but once the return flow begins, those clouds will surge back over us on Wednesday into Thursday.  

Another front will approach late on Wednesday bringing us a shower threat that could linger for several days as models are stalling that front near us through the weekend.   It is not a real strong front as that won't happen until next week.  

Finally, look at what those brisk north winds did to the water clarity of Lakes Pontchartrain & Borgne today.  The North Shore was crystal clear while all the muddy waters were forced to the south.  As the winds reverse back to the south by Wednesday, the south shore should clear while the murky stuff heads north.   You can tell there really isn't much to talk about when I start mentioning water clarity!  Stay tuned!