Freeze Warning North Shore, Southern Snow/Ice Storm Close, Heavy Rains Friday AM

This will be a quick update on yesterday's post.  Model guidance is still bringing a crippling Snow & Ice storm across the southern states with a heavy rain threat here. But before I discuss those issues, let's begin with another freeze threat here locally.  One thing I was taught by the late Master Plumber Mickey Scholl was the "Pipe Rule".  He self-taught himself by decades of dealing with frozen/busted pipes. The next time NWS and/or local weathercasters tell you it will freeze, remember it's all about the DEGREE and DURATION of the freeze.  IF your location is expected to dip below 28 degrees, then you need to drip the water.

That might happen across the North Shore IF winds decrease and skies remain clear.  However, clouds could spread over us during the night restricting the freezing temps to locations well north and east of Lake P.  

Since highs have struggled to get into the mid to upper 40s, I am not expecting Thursday morning lows any worse than this morning.  My yard precautions remain in place.  The center of the Arctic high is still over OK/TX, but as it drifts slowly eastward, our northerly winds will shift more easterly allowing some moderation for us.  The upper disturbance is still stuck down over the Baja.

As it approaches us tomorrow & Friday, that extensive clouds shield to our west will spread across all of the Gulf South.  

This is a cold Arctic airmass, but it is typical of what January is supposed to be.  Dew Points remain very low, even over south Texas.  It will take some time for the low level moisture to return.  Models are indicating a band of heavy (4-8") snow will fall just north of Louisiana.

Models have decreased our rainfall to generally 1-2" with most falling after midnight on Thursday and before noon on Friday. Colder air will flow back in as the low tracks across the northern Gulf and to the East coast.

So even though I don't think the South Shore will have freeze issues, I'm keeping everything covered or in my heated He-Shed.  Long range keeps us mostly below normal/average during the next 1--14 days. Finally...

Most of us have watched the terrible videos of the huge fires in southern California.  Some of the wind gusts are greater than hurricane force.  It's no wonder you can't outrun the fire.  Hundreds of homes are gone.  Thousands of Families are displaced with at least 2 dead.  They need our prayers for the weather pattern to change allowing the winds to decrease and firefighters to gain control.  Scary stuff! Stay tuned!