 DISCUSSION: Scattered showers are in the area, and have started to become a nuisance to many California residents as a low-pressure system makes its way along the coast. There will be some more scattered and isolated showers in the forecast again for the next day or so as a weak front moves through Wednesday night into Thursday morning. It is possible to see a significant change as a high-pressure system is set to build into the area bringing dry and mild weather to the Bay area. In the past hour scattered showers have allowed for the formation of hail, which hasn’t been reported in some time, since nearly the first large plume of atmospheric moisture back in December. Checkout the great footage of hailstones approximately 1/8th inch located in Carmel, California! ~Meteorologist Jessica Olsen
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DISCUSSION: Although most do not even consider to think about this type of meteorological phenomena, often times during the Winter season, hurricane-force low pressure systems can develop over large expanses of the central/eastern Pacific Ocean as well as a very large percentage of the central/northern Atlantic Ocean. During the more conventionally recognized hurricane season periods for the various Pacific and Atlantic Ocean basins, tropical cyclones which form are fueled by the presence of particularly warm sea surface temperatures which fuel the inner core (a.k.a., the internal "heat engine") of strengthening tropical cyclones. However, during the Winter-time when we observe low pressure systems with measured maximum sustained wind speeds at or sometimes well-above hurricane intensity, this unfolds as a consequence of profoundly unique circumstances.
As many people around the world have come to fundamentally understand, extra-tropical cyclones which impact large coastal (and often semi-inland) regions around the world are triggered by horizontal changes in temperature with distance over some given region. Thus, it is what is referred to as a "frontogenetic forcing" measuring or an atmospheric low pressure intensification mechanism which is driven by changes in temperature at or near the surface. This surface-based temperature gradient subsequently affects the temperature and therefore the wind field distribution in the vicinity of developing extra-tropical low pressure system at the surface as well as points higher up in the atmosphere. Thus, this deep-layer horizontal change in temperature over some horizontal difference provides the critical energy/fuel needed to sustain Winter-time low pressure system. Colloquially, when these types of Winter-time low pressure systems impact populated areas, we conventionally refer to these types of storms as "Nor'easters" since they are identified as coastal low pressure systems which typically move in a northeasterly direction with time and deliver cold northeasterly winds to the area they impact as they move through. As shown in the brief satellite footage attached above, this same process can happen over larger oceanic basins as well such as this hurricane-force low which just recently strengthened significantly over the northeastern Pacific Ocean. This just goes to show that intense Winter-time low pressure systems can form and intensify while under the influence of many different types of atmospheric environmental conditions. To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across the central and/or eastern Pacific Ocean, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz Round 2 of Impacts for California Due Pineapple Express (Credit: Meteorologist Jessica Olsen)1/10/2017  Image Courtesy: WeatherTAP DISCUSSION: After the first battering from the Western Pacific's moisture plume, California and the Western United States are battening down the hatches as the second round of precipitation, storms and wind makes its way into the area. As the Pineapple Express brings more storms to the area, Tuesday afternoon and evening is likely to be filled with gusty winds and precipitation. Models and current radar are indicating that the heaviest of precipitation will fall in Northern California and Coastal Ranges expecting rain with a great potential of more flooding in the North Bay and into the Monterey Bay region. In addition to the presence of the Atmospheric River, the synoptic pattern favors an upper level low and surface low to the Northwest while a cold front associated with this pattern moves into the immediate area tonight. Precipitation will range from .5-2 inches for most but locally heavier in the ranges. Some parts of the Sierras are expected to see 7-10 feet with gusts topping nearly 100 miles per hour. In the past several days many roads have closed due to flooding, such as Highway 1 in Big Sur due to landslides, or various roads in the Carmel Valley region as water has breached levees causing headaches for many. For current watches/warnings/advisories visit the National Weather Service! ~Meteorologist Jessica Olsen  Image Courtesy: WeatherTap DISCUSSION: The Western US is set to experience another brutal pounding of consistent precipitation, some are calling over-zealous, but most are welcome to the increase in wet weather given California’s 5 year drought. Precipitation is in the immediate forecast, in addition to the extended forecast past the 3 day mark. Current satellite indicating a large swath of moisture set to impact areas extending from southern Washington to as far west as Utah. A relatively deep upper level trough is to blame for the wet weather. The increase in water will likely pose hazard conditions for local rivers and creeks into Saturday and Sunday. Areas of the Sierra foothills, Central Coast including the Bay area as the Pineapple Express makes its way into the overnight hours. The term Pineapple Express is characterized as a intense atmospheric flow associated with increased precipitation typically seen near the Hawaiian Islands transporting moisture to mainland United States. Rainfall totals are expected to real 8-12 inches by Monday for Sonoma, Santa Cruz and Santa Lucia Ranges. Moderate precipitation is expected to begin tonight into Sunday, with some showers lingering into Monday. The Pacific coast will not go without some chance for precipitation as this moisture trend remains into the workweek. ~Meteorologist Jessica Olsen Great View of Snow-Capped Mountains in Hawaii! (credit: NASA via NWS Aviation Weather Center)1/3/2017  DISCUSSION: Here is an awesome view of snow-covered mountains on certain mountain tops within part of Hawaii. Attached below are more details courtesy of the National Aeronautic Space Administration (NASA) before being re-shared by the NWS Aviation Weather Center office.
"Snow-capped Hawaiian Mountains... The Operational Land Imager (OLI) on the Landsat 8 satellite captured these natural-color images of the snowy peaks on Christmas Day. A storm on December 18 brought not only snow, but bouts of thunder and lightning. While snow in Hawaii is not unusual (it can even fall in summer), thundersnow is less common. (Credit: NASA)" To learn more about other neat weather phenomena from across the Central and Eastern Pacific Ocean, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz Expert Insight into Upcoming Atmospheric River Event! (credit: Meteorologist Sheldon Kusselson)1/3/2017  
DISCUSSION: Attached above is a great insight and expert analysis of the upcoming atmospheric river-based event expected to deliver significant impacts to a large portion of the western United States. This analysis is courtesy of retird NOAA NESDIS Satellite Analyst Sheldon Kusselson.
To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across the Central and Eastern Pacific Ocean, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Sheldon Kusselson Atmospheric River To Impact Weather Across the Western United States! (credit: NWS Reno, Nevada)1/2/2017  DISCUSSION: As a strong atmospheric river continues on its current track towards parts of the western United States, there are a few possible scenarios which are projected to unfold (one way or the other) over the course of the next several days. These respective scenarios involve the presence of slightly warmer (or colder) air moving across much of the intermountain west. As a result of this warmer (or potentially colder) air spilling across a large portion of the western United States, there will either be a lot of rain or snow at some of the lower elevations; while there will most definitely be lots of heavy snowfall at the higher elevations (especially at those elevations above 8,500 feet). Hence, if you live across the respective parts of the western United States, be sure to keep tabs on our updates at your local National Weather Service office as well as updates from all of us here at the Global Weather and Climate Center. Be sure to check out the graphic attached above (courtesy of the National Weather Service office in Reno, Nevada) for additional information!
To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across the Central and Eastern Pacific Ocean, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz |
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