Reality Returning For Rest of January...

I have enjoyed 2 beautiful days with Captain Hylton fishing the Louisiana marsh out of Shell Beach.  Although we did not catch our limits our totals were 68 trout and 20+ sheepsheads.  Normally I could say while the rest of the country is dealing with snow and cold, we here in LA/MS can get out and enjoy fishing, golfing and tennis.  But David correctly pointed out tonight that no where in the lower 48 is it really cold.  Heck, we can't have the "January thaw" because nobody is in the freezer. 

However, if the computer models for the next 1-2 weeks verify, most of the country will go back to the reality of January being the heart of Winter.   Take a look at these graphics starting with the cold up in Canada.

Temperatures are 30-35 below zero in central & northern Canada & Alaska and that chill will be heading southward as a huge upper trough develops later this week and next.  The 2nd graphic is today's upper pattern with the one below it being the forecast for this Thursday that shows a dip developing with a upper disturbance that will bring us some rain and our next cold front.  We'll be back to sweaters and heavy coats through the weekend.  In fact, the bottom graphic is vaild for next Monday indicating a pattern that will bring the Canadian cold into the U.S.

Today's satellite views captured the line of clouds in the Gulf that was the weak cold front that pushed through near dawn.  We were 4-5 degrees cooler today, but the all day sunshine made it feel good since the dew points were so low.  Note back over south texas, those dew points are back above 60 signaling a return of the low level moisture ahead of our next front.  The timing right now appears to be early on Thursday morning with a band of showers possible.  there is talk of some frozen precip coming over the weekend, and I say, why not?  Bring it on!  We have several days to watch for it.

Finally, we had only a few clouds around today, but I found some fires showing up on satellite views.  I didn't think we were dry, but perhaps Thursday's showers are needed in some areas?  Stay tuned!