 DISCUSSION: In the wake of most recent Nor'easter which hit both coastal and interior sections of New England including (but not limited to) the state of Maine, there were impressive snowfall totals reported across an axis from north-to-south across central Maine. Having said that, the main story associated with this latest winter blast was the unprecedented number of winter storm reports which were submitted throughout the course of this winter storm across a large majority of interior New England. There were well over 500 local storm reports submitted to the National Weather Service office in Gray, Maine during the course of this most recent winter storm. This is impressive based on the fact even in some of the more historic snowstorms (or even blizzards) which have occurred during the course of the last few decades, there are often never more than 100-200 total local storm reports during the course of any given winter storm. This is important since a larger number of submitted local storm reports help forecasters build a more comprehensive geographical understanding of the associated regional snowfall total map (e..g, by city, county, state, and even region). This is noteworthy since this greatly helps for atmospheric scientists to more accurately research and study past, current, and future winter storms in order to improve major forecasts both in the short-term and the long-term future.
Here is a brief blurb from forecasters at the National Weather Service office in Gray, Maine describing their tremendous appreciation of the local and larger-scale public efforts during this particular winter storm! "From Thursday afternoon through this morning our office issued more than 500 local storm reports. A big THANK YOU to all of you who contributed by providing valuable snow accumulation information. This was a difficult storm to forecast for, but you kept us busy with reports coming in nonstop, allowing us to stay informed enough to provide forecast updates. We really do appreciate all the reports during and after the storm. This is the final map based on the preliminary numbers we have received. Most of this snow fell in just a few hours Thursday evening into the early morning hours Friday morning with rates of 6 inches per hour reported." To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across North America, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz
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 DISCUSSION: As yet another Pacific low pressure system moves ashore into many parts of the Pacific Northwest, there is again a renewed threat for heavier snowfall at points of higher elevation across parts of northern California. As stated in the post above (courtesy of the National Weather Service office in Eureka, California), the main highways being impacted across northern California include (but may not be limited to) highway routes 3, 36, 96, 101, 199, and 299). As a result of this incoming snowfall, it is imperative to call ahead if you are flying out of any regional airports (regardless of whether your flight is domestic or international). If you happen to be driving across this part of northern California or points just outside of this region, be sure to leace extra travel time over the next 24 to 48 hours as some mountainside roads/highways may very well become tracherous to near impassible at times.
To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across North America, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz Santa has been in the news of late. So, I thought it might be fun to take a look at weather from Santa’s perspective. To do this, we’ll have to look at upper level and surface weather maps from a polar-centric perspective. Fortunately, NOAA’s National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) produces forecast weather maps for many regions of the globe, including maps centered on the geographic North Pole…There are three important observations that I’d like to share… To read the full story, click here - http://www.weatherworks.com/lifelong-learning-blog/?p=1148 © 2016 H. Michael Mogil To learn more about how to read/interpret various maps and charts used by meteorologists, be sure to click here!  Once a strong Pacific cold front barrels through south Florida later today, attention will shift to windier weather and much chiller temperatures. The combined effect of wind and temperature will contribute to unusually low wind chills for the area. Wind chill is a measure of heat loss from exposed skin… To read the full story, click here - http://www.weatherworks.com/lifelong-learning-blog/?p=1143 © 2016 H. Michael Mogil To learn more about other high-impact weather events affecting North America, be sure to click here!  Record Precipitation for Minneapolis, MN in 2016 (H. Michael Mogil, CCM, CBM, DMS) Throughout 2016, we heard a lot about California’s long-term drought and a short-term, evolving, drought across the southeast U.S…now…annual precipitation (and other weather) records are going to be making the news. One of the first was a yearly record 40.32 inches of precipitation that had fallen at the Minneapolis (MSP) airport … To read the full story, click here - http://www.weatherworks.com/lifelong-learning-blog/?p=1138 © 2016 H. Michael Mogil To learn more about other high-impact weather events affecting North America, be sure to click here!  Last week, I reported on south Florida’s record warmth and indicated that more records were likely to be broken. This week, I get to report that several south and central Florida locales have again set some warm temperature records. A total of seven occurred in the three-day period encompassing Christmas… To read the full story, click here - http://www.weatherworks.com/lifelong-learning-blog/?p=1132 © 2016 H. Michael Mogil To learn more about how to read/interpret various maps and charts used by meteorologists, be sure to click here  Upper-Level Trough Poses Wintry Threat for Northeastern U.S. (credit: NWS Phoenix, Arizona)12/28/2016  DISCUSSION: As illustrated by the trends in the cloud patterns evident within the animated infrared satellite imagery, there is an abundance of upper level sub-tropical moisture flowing northward around a low pressure system to the southwest of the greater four corners region of the Desert Southwest. Due to the current positiomning of this upper-level low pressure system, this systemm will bring an increased chance for rain to this part of the nation during Friday evening and into Friday night. Eventually, as this system slowly moves ashore into the southwestern United States, it will ultimately merge with a larger parent low pressure system which is projected to bring wintry mix to parts of the coastal and interior northeastern United States on New Years Day. Stay tuned right here at the Global Weather and Climate Center for updates on this upcoming forecast situation as more details become clearer with time.
To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across North America, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz  DISCUSSION: Earlier this morning as the marine layer remained fairly persistent in the vicinity of the Texas Gulf Coast, there were some substantial issues with regard to the more popular shipping lanes positioned in close proximity to the greater Houston/Galveston metropolitan areas. As you can clearly see in the image above, there were dozens of ships positioned just offshore from the southeast Texas coastline due to the deep, persistent fog layer which was remaining in place as of earlier this morning. As a consequence of this deep fog remaining just offshore during the earlier part of this morning, these dozens of ships were forced to remain just off the coast while waiting for the dense sea fog to let up before moving into the Houston/Galveston area. Having said that, current forecast expectations continue to strongly indicate that frontal passage on Thursday morning will end this current fog episode.
To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across North America, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz Incoming Cold Air Likely to Impact Western U.S. Weather! (credit: NWS Sacramento, California)12/27/2016  DISCUSSION: As more cold air which has its origins from far northwestern Canada continues heading towards the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, NWS forecast offices are getting ready mentally. With the arrival of this cold air from western Canada into portions of Northern California early next week, there are relatively large concerns for the more elevated portions of the intermountain sectiosn of the western United States. Confidence is low in the details, but this reinforcement of colder air coupled with strong incoming weather systems off the eastern Pacific Ocean may bring a bit of very low elevation snow! Be sure to stay tuned to the Scaramento NWS office website as well as right here at the Global Weather and Climate Center for updates on this situation as the forecast becomes more clear.
To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across North America, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz Updated Blizzard Snowfall Totals from Across North Dakota! (credit: NWS Bismarck, North Dakota)12/26/2016  DISCUSSION: In the wake of the recently concluded winter storm which impacted many parts of the north-central United States, here is a list of some of the preliminary snowfall totals which have been received up to this point. Note how there was a fairly large range of snowfall totals spread across a good portion of the state of North Dakota. Moreover, it is worth noting that this wide range of snowfall totals did in fact extend far beyond this state as per the snowfall totals reported to other National Weather Service offices across this part of the nation. As discussed in many news reports both regionally and nationally, one of the hardest hit cities was Minot, North Dakota. As a consequence of the persistent intense winter storm (and even blizzard) conditions impacting this region, several airports also had to shutdown runways and even entire airport operations in some cases during the worst parts of this recent winter storm.
To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across North America, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz Blizzard Conditions Hit Parts of the Central/Western U.S.! (credit: WYDOT via NWS Cheyenne, Wyoming)12/25/2016   DISCUSSION: As the low pressure system now positioned across far western Nebraska (and also near the border of far eastern Colorado as well as far northwestern Kansas) continues to intensify move off to the northeast, blizzard conditions will continue to persist across many places. That being said, it goes without saying that this storm has has major Christmas Day impacts across sections of states such as Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and then some. Hence, this late December winter storm has very wide-ranging impacts across many parts of the country throughout the day today. In the wake of this powerful winter storm, it is imperative for those people living in areas being impacted by this storm to be patient and wait for the worst of the wintry impacts to subside before traveling!
If you must get out and about, be sure to leave plenty of extra time to travel any places of interest and so forth. In the upper image (attached above) you will note the shot from earlier this afternoon (i.e., at 1:39 PM MST) along part of Interstate-80 from Summit Cheyenne to Laramie in eastern Wyoming. The lower image (attached above) captured a freeze-frame shot of thundersnow on a highway webcam near Lodgepole which is a city also located along Interstate-80 in far western Nebraska (specifically near Sydney, Nebraska). It is always very neat to see when a highway webcam is able to capture the occurrnece of thundersnow during any given winter weather event. To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across North America, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz  DISCUSSION: As Christmas Eve slowly comes to a close all the way from New York to Los Angeles and everywhere in between, there is quite an interesting national weather scenario coming into play over the next 24 to 48 hours. As the night and overnight period rolls on, the weak low pressure system which is currently positioned across the southwestern United States will be moving towards the north-central United States and strengthening at its core as it does so. As a result of this intensification, many parts of North/South Dakota, northwestern Nebraska, northern Wisconsin, northern Minnesota, etc. will be in the path of intense winter storm conditions (and likely even blizzard conditions in some spots). To hear more on the details of this upcoming holiday forecast, be sure watch the brief national forecast briefing attached above!
To learn more about other high-impact weather stories from across North America, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz Mrs. Claus, wanting to be sure her husband was safe on his Christmas Eve journey, turned to Santa and asked, “What’s the weather forecast?” Santa, in his usual jolly self, replied, “Rain, dear, in many places; only some snow across the western States during my nighttime ride; heavy snow and blizzard conditions… To read the full story, click here - http://www.weatherworks.com/lifelong-learning-blog/?p=1118 © 2016 H. Michael Mogil To learn more about other high-impact weather events affecting North America, be sure to click here!  A persistent upper level ridge across Florida and a jet stream far to the north of Florida have both prevented most cold air intrusions from reaching into the Sunshine State. The result has been a very dry and very warm autumn. Now the warmth is translating into record warmth… To read the full story, click here - http://www.weatherworks.com/lifelong-learning-blog/?p=1114 © 2016 H. Michael Mogil To learn more about other high-impact weather events affecting North America, be sure to click here!   DISCUSSION: As discussed in a recent post within our North America section, here is another very recent example which illustrates how cold air can impact parts of the contiguous United States or any place in the world at any point in time. As noted in the graphic above (courtesy of the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS)), you can note how as of this morning there was very cold air across much of Wisconsin and Minnesota. However, by looking just to the east of the "Land of a Thousand Lakes," you can denote the slightly warmer temperatures in place across much of lower Michigan. These slightly warmer temperatures across Lower Michigan are a direct consequence of the warmer waters of Lake Michigan which were positioned upwind (i.e., located just to the north of Lower Michigan). As north to northwesterly winds continued pushing the frigid air mass further south through the north-central United States, you can see how the frigid air mass was evidently modified as it moved across the warmer waters of Lake Michigan before traversing much of Lower Michigan and points even further south/southeast of this region.
To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across North America, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz Frigid Temperatures Last Night Across Colorado and Beyond! (credit: Jessica Lebel via KKTV News)12/19/2016  DISCUSSION: As cold air finished its lengthy journey from the southern periphery of the Arctic Circle over the last 7 to 10 days to the northern half of the contiguous United States by overnight Thursday of last week, big changes came rather quickly. The primary result of this cold air intrusion was simply severely frigid cold air which overtook large parts of the central and eastern United States. As noted throughout social media over the past few days, this has been a near-record or actual record-breaking cold air outbreak across many parts of the nation during what is now a 4-day cold speel across a large chunk of the United States.
Note how in the graphic above (courtesy of Meteorologist Jessica Lebel from KKTV News located in Colorado Springs, Colorado), overnight lows on Sunday into MOnday reached as far as 20 degrees (Fahrenheit) below zero in some spots in their coverage area and in many places beyond there as well! As this cold air continues to persist, it is imperative to always be mindful of the inherent dangers associated with very dry, cold air (e.g., namely hypothermia, frostbite,etc.). Hence, it is always critical to be properly dressed (i.e., in several layers without leaving any sensitive parts of the body exposed to these frigid temperatures). Moreover, even while being properly prepared for these frigid conditions, it is still advisable to not remain outside in such cold weather unnecessarily for long periods. To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across North America, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz Impressive Upper-Air Sounding From Earlier This Morning In Reno, Nevada! (credit: NWS Reno, Nevada)12/19/2016  DISCUSSION: As of this morning, forecasters working at the National Weather Service office in Reno, Nevada found quite an impressive feature within this morning's weather balloon launch. As noted in the upper-air sounding captured by this morning's weather balloon launch, you can see how at 5,000 feet above the surface there was a measured temperature of 19°F ; while at 8,000 feet above the surface there was a temperature of 42°F. This change in temperature with height in this particular upper-air sounding indicated the presence of a low-level inversion as of this morning in this part of the country. Thus, at the time of the balloon launch (3am), temperatures were as much as 23° warmer at about 8,000' than that measured at 5,000'.
As noted in the actual post listed on the NWS Reno, Nevada Facebook page: "These inversions can create a shallow and stable layer near the surface which can result in light winds and cold temperatures which can trap pollutants down in the valleys. Did those airplanes sound louder to you this morning as they were taking off from the airport? Strong inversions can also allow sound to become trapped in the inversion layer allowing it to propagate farther and to sound louder." Hence, low-level inversions anywhere in the world can have notable implications on day-to-day life anywhere in the world at any time. To learn more about other neat educational topics in meteorology and other related stories, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz True Blizzard Conditions In and Near Oswego, New York Just Days Ago! (credit: The Weather Channel)12/19/2016 
DISCUSSION: As lake effect snowfall pounded areas both in and to the east of Lake Ontario during the latter part of last week, there was truly incredible footage captured of this particular lake effect event by many people across the region. As shown in the footage above (as captured by people on the State University of New York at Oswego campus before being shared by the Weather Channel's AMHQ morning show), there were true blizzard conditions experienced during the most intense parts of this lake effect snowfall event. That being said, it goes without saying that travel was incredibly hazardous and even life-threatening at several points during this period of time from last week. While watching the time-lapse footage above, you can also see the clear lake response emanating from points further from the shoreline and heading inland. Note how the lake effect response tends to come in waves which was a result of the lake effect band propagating to the north and south of the city of Oswego during the course of this multi-day event which lasted from December 14th to 15th. It is also worth noting that this multi-day lake effect snowfall event was then followed up by a larger-scale winter blast across nearly all of New York State and many other parts of the Northeast back on December 17th (or this past Saturday).
To learn more about other high-impact winter weather events from around the world, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz Quite the Range of Lake Effect Snowfall Totals! (credit: NWS Eastern Region Headquarters)12/16/2016  DISCUSSION: As the most recent lake effect snowfall event event off of both Lake Ontario and Lake Erie officially comes to a close during the overnight hours into the pre-dawn hours on Friday, there are a plethora of snowfall totals which have already been called into different NWS offices across the various coverage warning areas. As you can see in the snowfall totals above, there was quite an impressive range of snowfall totals from throughout this fairly long-duration lake effect event. It is worth noting that the highest snowfall totals across the Tug Hill Plateau region of New York state were substantially less than forecasters at the National Weather Service in Buffalo, New York initially thought. However, despite the overforecast snowfall totals in some places, they were very accurate in regards to the conditions which were forecasted for throughout the course of this latest lake effect snowfall event. This goes to show that even in the presence of an error in snowfall forecasts, it is far more important for a forecast to be accurate in terms of the expected conditions in order to help convey the most important messages associated with a given winter weather forecast.
To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across North America, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz 
DISCUSSION: As of earlier Wednesday afternoon, the second lake effect snowfall event of the 2016-2017 winter season got underway. As of this late hour of 1:00 am EST, both bands are continuing to produce intense snowfall emantating off of both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. However, it is imperative to note that as the wind direction continues to gradually shift from more of a west-southwesterly flow to more of a due westerly flow (due to the passage of a small piece of energy higher up in the atmosphere), the more intense band will be that which is cranking out heavy lake effect snowfall just to the east of Lake Ontario. This is anticipated to continue right through the overnight hours and persist through much of the day on Thursday as flow chiefly remains out of the west. Thus, areas in and around the Tug Hill Plateau region as well as portions of central/southern Oswego County as I mention in my short lake effect snow briefing update (attached above). Be sure to listen to it for the latest expectations and forecast details on this latest lake effect snowfall event.
To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across North America, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz  DISCUSSION: As many people's mind are still freshly covered in their thoughts from the recent winter blast delivered by Lake Erie as well as Lake Ontario, their memories are about to be filled with yet another highlight reel-type event. As slightly-modified Arctic air continues it current south-to-southeastward track across south-central to southeastern Canada, the stage is being set for another major lake effect response off of both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario once again. As shown in the bottom-right part of the graphic attached above, there are now indeed lake effect snow warnings and advisories were issued as of much earlier in the day on Tuesday. As detailed in the upper-left part of the graphic above, you will also note that there are maximum snowfall totals of 12 to 18 inches or more approximately to the east/northeast of Lake Erie. However, in turning the attention to Lake Ontario, there is a completely different story in the works with snowfall totals of 2 to 3 feet + in many parts of the Tug Hill Plateau region. This bears re-inforcing the point that at the height of this event, any conventional forms of travel both on the ground and in the air will be incredibly dangerous (and even life-threatening for possibly a period as long as several hours). Therefore, if you or someone you know who does not absolutely need to travel either across western or central New York, it is imperative to stress the seriousness of the forthcoming lake effect snowstorm so they can avoid getting stuck in the middle of this major upcoming lake effect event!
To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across North America, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz Arctic Air Intrusion Gearing Up Just in Time for the Weekend! (credit: NWS Boston, Massachusetts)12/14/2016  DISCUSSION: If you have ever wondered in the past or now currently wondering the reason for why the mercury is forecast to dip as low as the single digits across many parts of the north-central and northeastern United States, here is a great graphical answer to that question. Attached above is what is referred to an ensemble backward air parcel trajectory suite. These ensemble backward air parcel trajectories allow atmospheric scientists to accurately determine where incoming air has originated from; thereby allowing them to determine (even if the air modifies somewhat positively (average air temperature warms) or negative (average air temperature cools) to some degree) where the air is coming from. By being able to know this information, operational forecasters can more effectively anticipate how the forecast will evolve over some reasonable period of time which can improve the likelihood of them having less forecast error. This is especially important for winter-time precipitation forecasts where even a slight change in the lower/mid-level atmospheric temperatures are a critical component of anticipating variable changes in precipitation type.
As shown in the graphic above (courtesy of the National Weather Service office in Taunton, Massachusetts), you can clearly see how the starting point of these ensemble backward air parcel trajectories have their respective origins in far northern Canada. Though it is imperative to acknowledge the fact that these air parcels do in fact have their initial origins in the southern periphery of the Arctic Circle. That pays dividends to know in the operational sector since through the application of basic mathematical equations, operational forecasters can more accurately build their upcoming forecast for this coming weekend! To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across North America, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz Eastern Great Lakes Bracing For More Snow from Lake Effect Machine! (credit: NWS Buffalo, New York)12/12/2016   DISCUSSION: Right on the heels of one fairly impressive lake effect snow event across western and central New York state, yet another one is already on the horizon as we head through the course of this Wednesday and through the overnight period into the day on Thursday. This particular lake effect snowfall event is going to be triggered in the wake of a weaker low pressure system passing to the south and east of the eastern Great Lakes region helping to drag down tremendously cold air which has its origins in and around the Arctic Circle. Furthermore, as a strengthening ridge (or high pressure system) builds into the Great Plains region of the U.S. this will act to additionally strengthen the magnitude of the air stream flow across the lakes which will even moreso magnify the overall lake effect response. As noted in the upper-most graphic, lake effect snow watches have been issued to the east of Lake Ontario. However, it is also important to note that lake effect snow watches have also been issued for areas to the east of Lake Erie as well since the forecasters at the National Weather Service office in Buffalo, New York are expecting lake effect snowfall to fire up in earnest off of both of these lakes.
As also noted in the upper-most graphic, snowfall may possibly end up being measured in feet before things are all said and done with this next lake effect event. This initial forecast projection is reflected in the lower graphic which provides the latest thinking on the forecast snowfall totals to the east of both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Hence, the main takeaway from this lake effect snowfall forecast graphic is that areas to the east of Lake Ontario (i.e., particularly many areas located in and around the Tug Hill Plateau of north-central New York state) will very likely see the experience the worst conditions (i.e., in regards to general as well as travel safety) during the height of this upcoming lake effect snowfall event! Stay tuned to our Facebook page for the latest updates including a live broadcast projected for during the day on Thursday. To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across North America, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz Wintry Weather Delivering A Punch to the Northeast! (credit: NWS Eastern Region Headquarters Office)12/11/2016   DISCUSSION: On the heels of the recent lake effect snow event which impacted areas stretching from southwest Pennsylvania to central/north-central New York, there is yet another threat for accumulating snowfall over much of the same region and beyond there as well. As the next low pressure system which is currently strengthening across the Ohio Valley continues to move eastward over the next 24 to 48 hours, the heaviest snowfall totals are anticipated to fall across areas to the west of the Hudson River Valley in New York State as well as the Tug Hill Plateau region of New York State. Moreover, as you will note in the lower graphic above, there is also expected to be a substantial amount of new snowfall accumulating across many parts of interior New England. In the upper graphic above, you will note how even at this earlier stage of this winter blast across many interior sections of the Northeast, there is already incredibly heavy snowfall underway across parts of central Pennsylvania (likely due to the effects of localized orographically-enhanced snowfall via the presence of the upper-end of the Appalachian Mountains). If you or someone you know is in the path of this storm, convey to them a strong sense of awareness for both their morning and evening commute tomorrow and to allow for extra travel time, as things will be fairly treacherous throughout the day tomorrow.
To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across North America, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz  DISCUSSION: As the biggest lake effect snowfall event of the 2016-2017 Winter season finally came to an end in the early hours of this morning across wide stretches of both western and central New York, the snowfall totals from this event were tallied up. There is no question that this was certainly quite an impressive lake effect event with some places across parts of western New York received close to or over 3 feet of fresh snowfall. It is worth noting that this event was also fairly well-forecast even within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of the first flakes. This was encouraging since often times there is a large difficulty in being able to accurately forecast lake effect snowfall.
To learn more about other high-impact weather events from across North America, be sure to click here! ©2016 Meteorologist Jordan Rabinowitz |
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