DISCUSSION: There is increasing confidence of there being a short but intense burst of heavier snow across both the Hudson Valley in southern New York state as well as across parts of southern Connecticut during the day tomorrow. This is going to most certainly induce substantial travel delays as this heavier snowfall burst moves through these parts of the Northeastern United States. However, it is also important to understand how and why this burst of heavier snowfall is projected to unfold in the first place. To understand this, it is important to explain to explain a fundamental concept which is directly tied to heavy snow banding within Winter-time coastal low-pressure systems.
This critical process which is directly associated with heavier snow banding which forms in association with heavier snow banding features within Winter-time coastal low-pressure systems (which are also referred to as Nor’easters) is known as frontogenesis. Frontogenesis in the simplest terms is essentially the process by which air-streams in the lower-to-middle parts of the atmosphere converge from opposite directions which forces locally-driven upward motion. When this regionally forced upward motion occurs along a horizontal axis in the vicinity of a coastal or semi-coastal region along a region such as the U.S. East Coast, this will often facilitate the generation of features known as mesoscale snow bands. Mesoscale snow bands are often longer and relatively narrower snow bands which form within larger precipitation (i.e., mostly snow) shields within a Nor’easter and are directly fueled by the low/middle-level convergence associated with strengthened low-level frontogenesis. Thus, the frontogenetic forcing is the primary ingredient which when combined with sufficiently colder air, leads to locally heavier snowfall potential. Attached above is a recent graphic (courtesy of the Tropical Tidbits website which is directed by Meteorologist Levi Cowan) which perfectly illustrates this concept via the forecast for the North American Model (NAM)-12km 700 hectopascal Temperature (in degrees Celsius), Temperature Advection, Frontogenesis, and Wind for the next 24 to 36 hours. You will note how there is a brighter red-colored band which moves through a good portion of Connecticut and the lower Hudson Valley tomorrow which is the frontogenetic feature which is projected to generate this heavier snow band. Thus, it will certainly be interesting to watch and see how this winter weather event unfolds for these areas and beyond. Be sure to stay tuned with us right here at the Global Weather and Climate Center website and on Twitter as well as Facebook for the latest updates! To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across North America, be sure to click here! © 2018 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz
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 Haleiwa, HI: Image Courtesy: Meteorologist Jessica Olsen DISCUSSION: Autumn officially began September 22nd and ends on December 21st 2018 in the Northern Hemisphere. Fall marks the transition from summer to winter, a time when many changes are evident in the Northern Hemisphere.
Some of these transitions include:
In addition to differences in daylight and times observed for such, temperatures trend on the decreased side of the spectrum as tilt moves away from the sun in the Northern Hemisphere. This has seemingly brought early snows to places like Wichita KS, Woodstock VT, and even Cortland (Central) NY! This is a time where fall foliage is peak in upstate New York, central Colorado and parts of northern Wisconsin. As we near mid-November more than half of CONUS is past peak, experiencing cooler weather despite the possibilities for tropical development near the Lesser Antilles, as we still are reminded it is still hurricane season in the Atlantic until the 30th. Crop harvesting is apparent for nearly every state in the U.S. Some often fall harvest vegetables are beets, beans, turnips, green onions and of course apples and pumpkins. These being heavily popular among families looking for great activities during the fall transition period. Hawaii seeing some different harvests as the fall season is well underway, such as various avocados 9often available different times of the year), apple bananas, cabbage and carrots often harvested year-round, limes, oranges an so much more. With Hawaii home to nearly 11 of the 13 climate zones in the world, it is a great environment to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables and use a great deal of these seasonally to supplement any meal! Lastly, the transition of summer to fall signals the time for advanced surfers to pull out the boards for big-wave surf. During this seasonal progression, winds can increase, humidity decrease with an increase in swell height. Often we see the swell increase on north and west facing shores throughout the island chain, marking a time for World Surf League events such as the Vans Triple Crown, Beachwaver Maui Pro, Billabong Pipe Masters and more! Autumn is a great season to see some of these changes occur despite the lack of foliage change in Hawaii. It is an opportune time to view many big-wave events, try seasonal fruits and vegetables, and maybe spot a stray whale coming in for the winter season. For information on fall changes in Hawaii or CONUS visit the Global Weather and Climate Center! © 2018 Meteorologist Jessica Olsen Breaking Down the California Fire Weather Concerns. (Credit: NOAA NWS Storm Prediction Center)11/10/2018  DISCUSSION: As the fire weather threat across many different parts of California continue to evolve with time, there is no doubt that many people who have either been impacted already or may be soon have more concerns still. Having said that, it is imperative to establish the fact that there are still major fire weather concerns across the state of California. Even after considering the ongoing threat from the Camp Fire, the Hill Fire, and the Woolsey Fire, there are still major wildfire conditions across the state of California and are explained in the short video briefing attached above.
To learn more about other high-impact weather events occurring across North America, be sure to click here! © 2018 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz |
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