DISCUSSION: As of 4Z (11 PM EST), the NWS has Tornado Watches stretching across the majority of Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana, and are continuing to issue Tornado Warnings as the night continues. Numerous severe weather sightings have been filed with the Storm Prediction Center reporting tornadoes, strong winds, and hail. In the video below (courtesy of Jordan Jones via U.S. Severe Weather Network) is one of the numerous reported tornadoes that have occurred in Illinois. These tornadoes have resulted in severe damage to homes and buildings, electrical power failures, and 1 fatality. In addition, hail nearing 4.5” in diameter along with winds reaching up to 95 mph have been reported across the states as well. As thunderstorms continue to develop along and ahead of the strong cold front, severe weather can be expected throughout the night and into the early morning. If you reside in this region, please be aware of any upcoming weather threats and keep up to date with any NWS-issued watches and warnings.
To learn more about other interesting weather events occurring across North America, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Katie McCracken
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 Discussion: Parts of the Midwest have experienced warm, windy conditions from this morning through this afternoon due to a warm from passing through the area. But, now a cold front is moving in and is about to bring about changes in the weather. This is because of the passage of these fronts that the National Weather Service predicted a moderate risk of severe weather for the area stretching from eastern Oklahoma to eastern Ohio. Furthermore, conditions have become sufficiently favorable for severe weather that the Storm Prediction Center (located in Norman, Oklahoma) has issued tornado watches for Missouri, Arkansas, and Illinois from 3:40 P.M CST until 10:00 P.M CST.
Warm sector storm development has begun over southern Missouri, with storm initiation expected to begin in parts of southern and western Missouri, northwestern Arkansas, southern Iowa, and southwest Kansas. This area of storm initiation is currently experiencing strong shearing and unstable atmospheric conditions, which should aid in the development of supercell thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. An expanding low-level jet and warm sector in the lower Ohio Valley should also aid the currently active storms which are intensifying and developing as they move east/northeast across these areas. These storms should move east across the Ohio Valley, with the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, and Ohio possibly being affected, as these storms continue pushing eastward possibly lasting through the overnight hours. Models predict that some of the initial storm cells could remain discrete, while others could merge into lines of storms as they move across the previously mentioned areas. These lines could lead to training (areas receiving rain multiple times in a short span of time), so flooding could also become a concern. The threat will diminish once diurnal heating, instability, and the low-level jet’s influence decrease. Once the severe weather threat concludes, rain will still be possible until the cold front moves out of the area early Wednesday. A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for severe weather capable of producing damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes. People in these watch areas are advised to monitor changing conditions, as well as listen and watch for possible issuances of severe weather and tornado warnings. To learn more about other interesting weather events occurring across North America, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Noah C. Hardy Record High Temperatures Set Across Eastern Half Of The U.S.! (credit: NWS Eastern Region HQ Office)2/24/2017  DISCUSSION: As a surge of very warm air persisted across a large portion of the eastern half of the United States during the day on Friday, many temperature records were broken in more than 10 different states. This was due to persistent warm air advection which was occurring out ahead of the low pressure system moving east across the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys during the course of the day on Friday. More specifically, as quoted by forecasters from the National Weather Service Eastern Regional Headquarters Office "Today was quite a day for the record books! Numerous locations across the Eastern US broke or tied high temperature records today, many by several degrees. In addition, quite a few places set or tied their highest temperature ever recorded during the month of February."
To learn more about other interesting weather events occurring across North America, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz  DISCUSSION: As the next round of deep Pacific moisture comes on board into many parts of the western and southwestern United States, there will be a very prolific precipitation event on tap for the next 24 to 48 hours. As noted in the detailed forecast graphic attached above (courtesy of forecasters from the National Weather Service office located in Reno, Nevada), there will be impressive rainfall and snowfall totals found across eastern California as well as parts of western Nevada. The majority of the heaviest snowfall will unfold as a direct result of there being a perfect set up for orographic (or terrain-based) enhancement of localized precipitation intensity. This process occurs due to air parcels being forced to ascend more quickly over steeper-sloped surfaces such as hills and/or mountainsides. As this occurs, a maximum amount of overall moisture is extracted from the given air parcel which produces locally heavier precipitation.
In the case of the western and southwestern United States, this often occurs (and will also occur in this particular case) in the form of heavier valley rainfall as well as heavier mountain snowfall. During this upcoming winter storm, forecasters are anticipating to see heavy snow and strong winds at upper elevations. This nasty combination will create whiteout conditions and substantially increase regional avalanche hazards. Winds will also be very strong at times with Sierra ridge winds in excess of 150 mph possible. Thus, the overall travel conditions will be extremely dangerous, if not impossible at times so be sure to remain on the side of caution if you get caught in an area getting hit hard by this upcoming winter blast. To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across North America, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz  DISCUSSION: As a low pressure system continued to push through the Tennessee Valley through the course of the day on Saturday, there was a lot of rainfall which moved through this region. However, in addition to the heavy rainfall which moved through that region earlier this morning and into this afternoon, the warm front of this low pressure system also ushered in a substantial amount of warm air. More specifically, there were records daily high temperatures broken in multiple states across the greater Northeast corridor. Note how some of these daily record high temperatures were originally set anywhere from around 1948 to 2011 which indicates the wide range of time over which these previous records were set. However, many of these previous record high temperatures were set between 1981 and 2011 which is also coincidentally one of the more recent benchmark climate research time frames which are used throughout the meteorological research realm. It is worth noting that based on the current position of the aforementioned low pressure system, this warm air surge will continue to push deeper into the Northeast over the next 24 to 48 hours.
To learn more about other neat high-impact weather events occurring across North America, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz 
DISCUSSION: As the sun rose across the eastern United States, there was quite a gorgeous view in store from space of the current snow cover across the eastern Great Lakes region. It is very clear that there has been a formidable amount of snowfall across this region over the last couple of weeks based on the variably white appearance of the snow cover on the ground. Note in the video attached above, you can clearly denote where the lake effect snow bands from recent lake effect events set up the most based on the location and the prevailing wind direction in place the majority of the time over the past couple of weeks. It is always neat to see how lake effect snowfall is distributed over the course of a long period of time both during a given lake effect snowfall event and during the course of a season. It goes without saying that during these recent lake effect snowfall events there were incredibly hazardous travel conditions both on the road, on the rails, and at the regional airports.
To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across North America, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz Dangerous Winter Storm Bears Down on California! (credit: NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, California)2/16/2017  DISCUSSION: As yet another low pressure system gets ready to move ashore in the western United States, there will be another round of major winter weather across the mountains of southern and central California. To be more specific, there will be heavy, windswept snowfall across the more elevated areas which will lead to blizzard conditions in some spots as a result. Therefore, as detailed in the forecast graphic provided above (courtesy of forecasters over at the National Weather Service office located in Los Angeles/Oxnard, California), there will be several large areas to avoid over the next 24 to 48 hours. As a consequence of this next incoming low pressure system, many mountain passes which have recently been hit by other previous Pacific low pressure systems will yet again be impacted and covered up completely by fresh snowfall. Therefore, if you or someone you know needs to be travelling through any areas in or near southern/central California, be sure to make them aware that this is a serious incoming winter storm which will make travel incredibly hazardous in many elevated locations. So, urge anyone in the path of this storm to take the necessary precautions and have a winter storm emergency kit at the ready in the event of needing it at some point this weekend!
To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across North America, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz 
DISCUSSION: As strong storms pushed through sections of the greater Shallotte area of South Carolina, there were incredibly robust impacts from the thunderstorms which raced through this region. As shown in the video above, there were very strong winds associated with the passage of these strong storms as winds reached up to somewhere between 85 and 100 mph which is reflected by how violently the trees were being whipped around in this particular video. These strong winds were most likely the result of a downburst reaching the surface as this particular thunderstorm moved through. As a point of insight, a downburst occurs when rain-cooled air just beneath the base of the cloud deck continues to descend towards the surface. As a result of the large temperature different between the region just inside the base of the thunderstorm and the area located just beneath the base of the thunderstorm, the air races even faster towards the ground and then spreads out across the Earth's surface upon impact. The results are often quite violent which is clearly shown in the video footage captured above (courtesy of Deborah Corman before being shared by CBS-affiliate WBTW, South Carolina). To read more about this particular story from the WBTW website, feel free to click here!
To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across North America, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz  DISCUSSION: As the recent Nor'easter finally pulled away from many parts of northern and eastern New England, there were incredibly large snowfall totals which unfolded across the region. More specifically, there were snowfall totals upwards of 3+ feet with snowfall drifts as high as 6 to 8 feet or more in some places. Thus, this long duration snowfall event certainly proved to be a very prolific winter storm in all accounts based on the impressive snowfall totals which verified across many parts of the state. It goes without saying that the National Weather Service office located in Caribou, Maine as well as other adjacent regional National Weather Service offices which had the responsibility of forecasting for this particular winter storm did a truly stellar job in executing the forecasts for this event both leading up to and during the periods of heaviest snowfall.
Note how there was a bulls-eye relatively close to the Atlantic coast which indicated the efficient cold air advection occurring in this part of the country while strong warm air advection was working its way off the Atlantic Ocean to help support the efficient in-cloud snowfall generation. This goes to show how areas which are located even fairly close to the Maine coastline still have the ability to receive fairly high snowfall totals despite the close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Another interesting fact which emerged from this recent winter storm is that Bangor's 24.2" was the 4th largest storm on record, with records going back to the 1920's. To see a more detailed list of all the snowfall total from across the entire state of Maine, click here! To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across North America, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz Today through tomorrow evening, large areas of the Nation and some nearby ocean water areas are under various types of wind warnings. From hurricane-force wind warnings in New England’s offshore waters (large-scale winter storm and intense pressure gradient) to Santa Ana (canyon-channeled) winds in southern California (Fig. 1), the winds win!… To read the full story, click here - http://www.weatherworks.com/lifelong-learning-blog/?p=1256 © 2017 H. Michael Mogil To learn more about other high-impact weather events affecting North America, be sure to click here!  On Feb. 9, 2017, southeastern New England experienced a significant snowstorm. Within the storm’s circulation, blizzard conditions lasted for some three to almost six hours and affected many areas. Now, blizzard number two looms on the horizon… To read the full story, click here - http://www.weatherworks.com/lifelong-learning-blog/?p=1253 © 2017 H. Michael Mogil To learn more about other high-impact weather events affecting North America, be sure to click here!  Next Winter Blast Taking Aim at New York City Metro Area And Points East! (credit: NWS New York, NY)2/8/2017  DISCUSSION: As the next winter storm gets ready to crank into high-gear across both coastal and interior sections of the northeastern United States, there are still some important lingering questions that remain with respect to how this particular winter storm will ultimately evolve. However, over the last 24 to 48 hours, many imperative questions have gradually become a bit easier to resolve. For example, the timing of this particular winter storm? How much snowfall will fall and where is the worst of this winter storm expected to be found at its peak intensity? How long will the worst of this snowstorm's impacts last? These questions and more are addressed in the video briefing above (courtesy of Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz), so be sure to watch it for the latest update and thinking both from myself and the forecasters over at the National Weather Service office located in Upton, New York.
To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across North America, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz   DISCUSSION: As one system begins to make its exit from interior portions of the northeastern United States, another winter blast is beginning to get ready to slap the Northeast with a sizable dose of snowfall. What is quite interesting about this particular event is the fact that within 12 hours of the start of the first flakes falling to the ground, air temperatures will be hovering in the middle to upper 50's. Despite the fact that many people's instincts will say that snowfall seems like a joke from an outsider perspective, that cannot be farther from the truth. The reason is that as the associated low pressure system which is currently positioned in the vicinity of the Dakotas will be further developing just off the Delmarva Peninsula which will allow it to become a formidable coastal storm.
Thus, the combination of heavily-falling frozen precipitation and an increasingly stronger northeasterly flow associated with the incoming low will allow for the predominant precipitation type to be snowfall from the very beginning of the event and right through its duration. Therefore, as you head out and about during the day tomorrow (whether it be to school, an airport, or a train station) be sure to remain aware and vigilant of the incoming snowstorm by later tomorrow evening and right through the heart of the morning commute on Thursday. So, if you do not have to be out and about during morning to early afternoon hours on Thursday, it would certainly be advisable to avoid doing so. Also, remember to make sure that you have shovels, gloves, scarves, jackets, and other basic items on-hand so you can stay warm if you need to be outside as well as during the post-storm clean-up. To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across North America, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz Brief on Current Bizarre Weather Impacting Entire Nation! (Credit: Meteorologist Jessica Olsen)2/7/2017  Image Courtesy: UCAR DISCUSSION: The United States is expected to see varying weather conditions throughout the week ranging from a more rain soaked West Coast to ice and record temperatures in some locations. For portions of the Western United States, it will be a wet start to the week which is expected to follow through till midweek due to a strong low pressure system seen by the current analysis valid at 0900 UTC (view gallery). Coupled with a warm front, the immediate western region will remain in the wet pattern for some time. As elevations increase into the Rockies, snowfall is imminent . As California is becoming saturated from repeated rains, it would be no surprise that flooding will be likely in the Sierra's. Today in addition to the strong system off the Pacific, an expansive low pressure system is set to track through the Mid-west and will make contact with a cooler airmass from Canada. To the south we are seeing some warm air from the Gulf which will increase those severe weather risks into the South extending as far as the Ohio Valley. The big topic today ahead of the increased chances for some severe weather in the South is the chances for possible record breaking warmth ahead of the cold front associated with the lows in the Mississippi River area. Despite the wintry mix in parts of the country we are starting to see warmer February temperature extending from the Southern Plains to the Mid Atlantic which will follow into Wednesday. For more information on wet weather and other great weather phenomenon please visit the Global Weather and Climate Center for updates! ~Meteorologist Jessica Olsen  DISCUSSION: As the winter storm begins to crank into full-gear over the next 12 to 24 hours, there will also be an increase in the severity of more localized winter storm impacts across many parts of Colorado state. As is noted in the graphic above (courtesy of forecasters over at the National Weather Service office located in Grand Junction, Colorado), there are and have been Winter Storm Advisories and Warnings in effect for many parts of western and central Colorado. As a result, if you need to travel out and about, be sure to leave plenty of extra travel time since both secondary and primary residential roadways as well as regional state highways will quickly become quite hazardous as the snowfall increases in intensity with time.
Moreover, at this next winter storm cranks into action, there will continue to be particularly cold air temperatures in place coupled with increased wind speeds. This nasty combination will lead to decreasing wind chill values which will consequently increase the threat of frostbite setting in within a shorter period of time if people's skin is less uncovered for a prolonged period of time. To avoid having this happen, be sure to dress in layers and always have a winter emergency kit on hand when you are traveling longer distances through areas being impacted by wintry weather. To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across North America, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz Heavy Snowfall Coming To Parts of the North-Central United States! (credit: NWS Missoula, Montana)2/4/2017  DISCUSSION: As the next winter storm continues to move closer to the north-central United States, there will be an increasing threat for many people across the states of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and more. The primary catalyst of the locally heavier snowfall totals discussing in the video briefing above as well as in the graphic above (courtesy of forecasters at the National Weather Service office located in Missoula, Montana) will be due to orographic (or elevated terrain-based) enhancement of wintry precipitation. Orographic lifting (or precipitation intensity enhancement) occurs as a result of air parcels within precipitation-producing clouds being forced to rise over some given elevated surface (e.g., a hill, plateau, or mountain). As these air parcels rise up and over these elevated surfaces, there often is significant air parcel expansion which occurs and consequently increased amounts of moisture are extracted which fosters locally heavier precipitation.
Therefore, if you know people who currently are situated or will be travelling through the aforementioned states over the next 24 to 48 hours, it would be advantageous to make them aware of the impending winter weather threat. Moreover, if you need to travel through these areas, be sure to dress in layers since it be very cold throughout the during of this winter storm which will make frostbite a real threat for those who are not probably covered up. As with any winter storm, if you must travel through these areas (especially by car), be sure to have a winter weather emergency kit on-hand at all times. This kit should include any medications one takes, plenty of water, energy bars, flashlights and plenty of fresh batteries, kitty litter or sand for situational traction, several warm blankets, a complete first aid kit, etc. If you do not absolutely need to be out and about across these areas, it would be in anyone's best interest to avoid doing so to avoid putting yourself in harm's way. To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across North America, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz  DISCUSSION: As the primary impacts from one storm system end and the next round of winter storm impacts continue from this next incoming eastern Pacific low pressure system, there is much going on across many parts of California and beyond. More specifically, in light of the persistently heavy rainfall in the lower elevations of western as well as northwestern California, there have continued to be significant flooding and even some isolated flash flooding concerns in several valley regions across some parts of northwestern California. Therefore, if you need to travel out and about in these areas, be mindful of dangerous roadway conditions including (but not limited to) downed trees/power lines, washed out roadways/highways, debris from even minor landslides or mudslides, etc. As noted in the video briefing above, this is a very serious and ominous situation for many positioned in any lower-lying (valley) regions of western and northwestern California since you are particularly vulnerable to flooding and flash flooding in such locations.
To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across North America, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz BULLETIN: Four Naples groundhogs spied their shadows early Thursday morning. Hence, look for six more weeks of south Florida winter. Yahoo!… To read the full story, click here - http://www.weatherworks.com/lifelong-learning-blog/?p=1237 © 2017 H. Michael Mogil To learn more about how to read/interpret various maps and charts used by meteorologists, be sure to click here!  |
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