"Do You Want To Build A Snowman?"

"Do You Want To Build A Snowman?"

- from the FROZEN soundtrack (2013) by Disney (Youtube video of the scene)

Snowman photo by Central MD reader Amilynn Addison

8:08 AM 2/8 (Winter Stormcast Team) As the Mid-Atlantic carves its way out of a major ice storm this past week, Powderhounds and Spring-a-lings from coast to coast are wondering: "Are we done yet or is there more?"

Since you asked, we might as well break the news: The period February 13 to 22 and beyond looks to continue the wet, stormy blender of weather whiplash across a sizable portion of the nation. That would mean if you haven't had the chance to build a snow sculpture yet, say in a major Eastern U.S. city, you might have one more shot at it this winter. 

(And to "stay warm in the storms" with a Zip-up or Pullover team HOODY, place an order THIS WEEKEND at our SITE STORE) or pre-order at store@footsforecast.org)


READY (or afraid ;-) TO LOOK AHEAD? 

• The Friday before Groundhog Day, the good folks at the NOAA Weather Prediction Center even used words WE have only invoked once in ten years: "HIGH IMPACT PATTERN."  View the current Extended Forecast Discussion for the period ahead. 

• The simple version of all this is to compare the 6-10 day precipitation outlook from the Climate Prediction Center with the temperature outlook for the same time period: What can BELOW NORMAL temps and ABOVE NORMAL precip do?

A PATTERN YOU SAY? Our Long Range Team has anticipated the pattern we saw in December 2013 might eventually repeat for February 2014: Cold to start, snowy and stormy toward the middle, calmer toward the end. 

If that outcome unfolds, it could be another set of data for evaluation of a hypothesized 60-day repeating weather pattern phenomenon known some in meteorological circles as the "Lezak Recurring Cycle" or LRC. Though not an officially identified or measured "teleconnection" such as the North Atlantic Oscillation, some forecasters religiously track and follow this technique. 

ABOUT THE LRC First developed by Meteorologist Gary Lezak, Chief Meteorologist of KSBH 41 in Kansas City. Mr. Lezak began investigating his ideas while a TV forecaster in Milwaukee, WI in the 1990s. He proposes that historical storm data suggests there can be at times, somewhat of a reoccuring pattern depending on influence by "forcing" of other factors, such as the well-known teleconnections and global factors our team routinely monitors and incorporates into an assessment of Long Range possibilities. Mr. Lezak has presented a paper on his idea at a National Weather Association conference, the abstract text of which can be viewed at this archive link.

STAY WARM IN THE STORMS! With more stormy times ahead, this weekend is a perfect opportunity to order one of our LIMITED EDITION zip-up and pullover hoodies! Details at "store" in the menu bar.

Custom designed, locally printed and shipped from near our headquarters in Baltimore, MD - these 50/50 Heavy Blend GILDAN brand hoodies are thick enough to keep you warm outdoors, but stylish enough to sport at work or school. Besides, you know it will turn heads and make people say, "WHERE did you get THAT! I want one!!"  

You can tell them, "Foots is raising money to launch an app this year, so of course I HAD to have one!"

ORDER TODAY at our main site store and it'll be at your doorstep by Wednesday of next week, no kidding. (Some forecasters also work at UPS!) Keep your eyes peeled for the relaunch of our Authentic Weather Store with additional apparel options, and plans for SPRING ZIP-UPS!