What蘑菇视频 wrong with our weather?
It蘑菇视频 another beautiful blue sky, sunny and warm late November day with temperatures in the 60s. For most folks, the leaves are raked and the outdoor holiday decorations are completed. Although November will go into the record books as just a bit warmer than normal, it will also be noted for the number of clear blue sky days.
The entire year has seen temperatures average warmer than normal. November is usually noted for our share of cold windy, rainy and snowy days. Speaking of snow, so far just a light dusting and no big storms are forecast in the near future. Out West it蘑菇视频 the record heat and relentless rains in the Northwest.
The winter forecast still favors the La Nina weather pattern which has developed and will probably control our weather. This should keep most of the really cold weather north of us and plenty of dry warm weather to our south. Odds still favor a 40 percent chance of slightly milder than normal temperatures and a 33 percent chance of above normal rain and snow.
Since we are between the really cold and really warm weather, the precipitation can go either way and the actual temperature and track of the storm will be the big determining factor.
This week, we are seeing some very cold air in Alaska that would love to move southward, but our La Nina pattern should hold off any southward push. Temperatures in Fairbanks ranged between -18 and -22 below zero with daytime highs not even reaching zero. Sooner or later, this cold air will find an opportunity to break away and plunge southward as an Arctic blast, bringing a few days of very cold air to our region. Very few years do we escape without a few of these cold events. Last year was an exception with mild air in place most of the winter.
So where is global warming in all of this? What is going on with the nice November and the late coloring of the trees and the prospects of another mild winter? Is this the new normal or will Mother Nature do what she often does and surprise us with a completely different outcome than what is expected.
Let us always remember to take long range weather forecasts with a grain of salt as the weather will always do what it wants and be unpredictable.
Today is the first of December. Average temperatures for today are 46 and 27.
Records are 72 and zero. On this date in 1974, we experienced a heavy wet snow that wreaked havoc on the area. A mixture of rain, sleet and snow turned to all snow late in the day and accumulated between 5 and 10 inches in the lower elevations and 14-20 inches in the mountains. The snow was so heavy, it had a blue appearance and brought down power lines and many trees.
Thunder and lightning accompanied the storm and it went on for hours. In the mountains, almost every tree was damaged and the National Guard had to be called in to help clear roads and restore power.
Our home was without power for 11 days. Liquid precipitation totals were 2.29 inches in the lower elevations and 2.15 inches at Chalk Hill. This heavy water content was what made for the blue appearance of the snow.
Enjoy these nice days as winter will get here soon and may bring the unexpected.