If you are a subscriber to my Podcast (bobbreck.com), you know all about the Polar Vortex and what it takes for us to get cold and STAY cold. Earlier in this Winter season, the West Coast was getting hammered with rain, snow & cold, while we were mild to warm. An upper ridge was over the Southeast, keeping the cold air away. During the past 10 days, that pattern flipped to an East Coast upper trough (Polar Vortex) that rotates around lobe after lobe of air from the Arctic. The result has been a huge increase in the snow cover much farther to the south. The top is the snow cover from last Friday.
The bottom is from this morning. Wow! What a change from New Mexico over the Ohio/Tenn. Valleys! It really shows up on satellite views.
Everything inside the yellow line is snow/ice on the ground. When I zoom in, you can see the rivers & valleys.
With such nearby snow cover, the Arctic air doesn't modify much despite sunshine. Another hard freeze is expected tonight, so full precautions will be required, including running/dripping water after 9 PM. MSY dropped to 27 this morning, breaking the record (29) set back in 1988. With clear skies and light winds, Tuesday morning might be colder. NWS has warnings up for the whole state.
Nicondra showed us these lows, which would tie the record tomorrow at MSY. So when will the cold leave? Not anytime soon. In fact, it could get colder this weekend because the lobe of the Polar Vortex is predicted to be deeper over the SE.
The top and middle graphics are current, while the bottom is for Saturday PM. Yikes! Look at how deep the dip is. Since the axis of the trough is to our east, we have no threat of any precipitation. But it should mean another snowstorm for the Northeast.
The Gulf is covered in clouds, but I see no return flow coming before next week. Any warm-up will be brief before colder weather returns.
Wow! Look at those lows later this week into the weekend. That's a serious hard freeze! I will probably do a Podcast on the next cold blast that could be the coldest in years. You'll need to subscribe ($2/month) at bobbreck.com. Finally, on a brighter note, yesterday was our Mardi Gras Ball at Copeland Tower.
Our King & Queen were Emile & Inez Siegrist, assisted by maids Valerie Adams & Gracie Loisel. Valerie was joined by her 2 best friends, Mindy & Becky.
If that doesn't make you smile Gang, nothing will. Stay warm & stay tuned!
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