Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Are We Done With Winter? Not So Fast Weather-Breath!

I've mentioned before that the threat for a hard freeze (below 25 degrees) on the South Shore is, historically, over after Feb. 20th due to the higher sun angle and the increasing length of daylight.  It doesn't mean we can't get freezing temperatures well into March as you'll recall one of the greatest southern snowstorms (SuperStorm March 1993) happened in the second week of March, 1993.   It would take a huge dip in the Jet Stream over the Great Lakes that would bring cold air down off the northern Gulf coast.  This last front had a little of that as today's satellite view shows.



Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula (Cancun, Cozumel) normally are 80+, but not today.   But the upper tough didn't stall and keep digging so the warmer (orange arrows) air is already flowing northward across the central Plains.  There still is super cold (35-40 below) air up north, but it's over eastern Canada.  The upper pattern has the persistent trough along the West Coast with a ridge building over the southern & central Plains.






80+ warmth has surged into Oklahoma with no locations outside of mountains staying below freezing.





Besides the returning warmth is increasing humidity as dew points, that had been in the 20s & 30s, are back to 50+.   With increased low level moisture will come the potential for some dense morning fog tomorrow & Thursday.  Tonight's fog will be a "radiation fog" caused by clear skies & light winds.  Tomorrow night it might be more of an "advection/sea fog".   Can anyone with a farming background help me out?


Look at all the fires/smoke plumes across the South.  With all the recent rains making for wet soils, my instinct says these fires are farmers burning off debris in their fields as they ready for Spring planting season.  Anyone have a better idea?



Otherwise, does it get much better for late February with sunny skies, light winds and temps 70+?




A very weak front passes through on Friday, but it'll have no rain with it and only slightly cooler air.  It's time for bike riding & walking Gang.  Get outside and enjoy it.  Finally,




Took these satellite view from before noon.  Can you tell the clouds from the snow cover?  Hint...check for rivers and lakes.  The New York finger lakes jump out.  Still lots of snow out in the mountainous West where they'll be skiing into April & May.  Stay tuned!

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