Star Date 12 December 2016 Monday
Captain's Log
Happy Monday folks!
What a difference a year makes! This week last year the East was basking in record hot temperatures. It was 68F here at wt360 headquarters last year and this year we're expecting a HIGH TEMP of just 20F onFriday with lows in the single digits! That is one of the greatest year-0ver-year changes toward colder weather in 121 years.
This 2nd Arctic outbreak is currently invading the Upper Plains and headed for the Entire East Coast the latter half of this week. Overall this middle December week is the coldest in 16 years for the North Central U.S. (2nd coldest in over 25 years), Coldest in 3 years for the Northeast (4th coldest of the past 25 years) while the Southwest is the warm spot trending warmest in 6 years (2nd warmest in 25 years). For the U.S. overall the high temperatures are the 2nd coldest in 25 years and coldest in 16 years; a wholesale change from last year's record warm week for one of the greatest year-over-year changes toward colder weather in 121 years!
Snow is also expanding with 42% of the U.S. covered in snow which is twice as much as last year and 9% above average. Last year only 21% of the U.S. had snow on the ground.
U.S. December snowfall to date is up a whopping +638% over last year and +27% above average. Last year was near record low snowfall so the year on year change toward more snow is the most in 10 years.
We'll be adding to that snow cover again this week as the 2nd Arctic front of the season invades the Eastern 2/3rds of the U.S. The late week 4-day snowfall outlook shows more moderate snow across the Northern tier of the U.S. and particularly heavy in the Mountains of the West and Great Lakes.
The 3rd blast of reinforcing Arctic air comes down around the 17th and then MAYBE we get a reprieve in the East while the West takes the brunt of the pre-Christmas cold snaps.
And don't forget about the Geminid Meteor Shower peaking the 13th-14th (midnight is usually best viewing time but we'll have to contend with the 3rd and final Super Moon on the 14th!
Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates.
Have a great week folks! - Capt Kirk out
What a difference a year makes! This week last year the East was basking in record hot temperatures. It was 68F here at wt360 headquarters last year and this year we're expecting a HIGH TEMP of just 20F onFriday with lows in the single digits! That is one of the greatest year-0ver-year changes toward colder weather in 121 years.
This 2nd Arctic outbreak is currently invading the Upper Plains and headed for the Entire East Coast the latter half of this week. Overall this middle December week is the coldest in 16 years for the North Central U.S. (2nd coldest in over 25 years), Coldest in 3 years for the Northeast (4th coldest of the past 25 years) while the Southwest is the warm spot trending warmest in 6 years (2nd warmest in 25 years). For the U.S. overall the high temperatures are the 2nd coldest in 25 years and coldest in 16 years; a wholesale change from last year's record warm week for one of the greatest year-over-year changes toward colder weather in 121 years!
Snow is also expanding with 42% of the U.S. covered in snow which is twice as much as last year and 9% above average. Last year only 21% of the U.S. had snow on the ground.
U.S. December snowfall to date is up a whopping +638% over last year and +27% above average. Last year was near record low snowfall so the year on year change toward more snow is the most in 10 years.
We'll be adding to that snow cover again this week as the 2nd Arctic front of the season invades the Eastern 2/3rds of the U.S. The late week 4-day snowfall outlook shows more moderate snow across the Northern tier of the U.S. and particularly heavy in the Mountains of the West and Great Lakes.
The 3rd blast of reinforcing Arctic air comes down around the 17th and then MAYBE we get a reprieve in the East while the West takes the brunt of the pre-Christmas cold snaps.
And don't forget about the Geminid Meteor Shower peaking the 13th-14th (midnight is usually best viewing time but we'll have to contend with the 3rd and final Super Moon on the 14th!
Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates.
Have a great week folks! - Capt Kirk out