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STORM SECRETS IN THE SUNRISE?
9:32 AM 2/12 - A quick comparison between upper level moisture content and the sunrise shows an expected correlation... and a hint of what dreams may come tonight!
Earlier this morning, observations from BWI data have the lowest cloud level at 25000 feet! This is indicative of just how dry the air is above us. (Photo from East Baltimore)
Earlier this morning, observations from BWI data have the lowest cloud level at 25000 feet! This is indicative of just how dry the air is above us. (Photo from East Baltimore)
- The importance ? Once moisture moves in from the south tonight, snow falling into this dry air will take a while to "moisten the column." If you want a lot of snow (and misery for all of us who work in it this will case evaporative cooling and raise ratios. The simpler way is to say "the snow brings the temperature down with it" and this creates a feedback loop that in turn allows for more snow to form.
- Spot the secret in action! Tonight, if the snow kicks in rather steadily from the start, and the flakes are fluffy, it is a sign the column may be moistening rapidly and the snow machine will go to town-- resulting in totals on the higher side of forecasts.
If the flakes begin very fine grained and light, it's a sign the atmosphere above us is taking longer to moisten, and totals could end on the lower side of projections.
As with everything in science, this is a hypothesis which will have to stand up to scrutiny based on analysis of observed results! It will be an interesting night for Powderhounds and we always look forward to your authentic, local reports when the action kicks off!
(Forecaster Foot and the Advisors)
6:30 AM 1/28 Another day for you and me in (Arctic) paradise...
For those who like the cold, we hope you have met your quota! Morning lows in the teens today will seem mild compared to single digits for Wed and Thu AM! Toss in a touch of snow tonight, and that's a winter day at the Arctic circle! (Note: Photo above is not from Barrow, Alaska but the northern Chesapeake Bay - sent to us by the media production company Fogomotion.)
- TODAY - Clouds will persist throughout the day, with frigid highs in the mid to upper teens. Winds up to 15 mph at times will make temps feel near zero.
- TONIGHT - Occasional light snow overnight may bring up to 1/2" in some locations. Otherwise, skies clearing late as temperatures drop to the single digits to around 10 F. The good news is that at least winds will start to die down.
- WEDNESDAY - Clouds take a break, but the cold won't! We will see sunny skies throughout the day but temperatures are only reach the low to mid 20s. Winds NW at 5-10 MPH.
- THURSDAY - As the developing Southern Winter Storm approaches the Mid-Atlantic, clouds will build back over the area. At this point, we only expect flurries and occasional light snow for Central Maryland, with accumulating snow of 2" or more most likely in southern MD and on the lower Eastern shore. Stay tuned for a statement from our Winter Stormcast Team about this next event.
(Forecaster Brett)
9:26 PM 1/26 (Forecaster Emily) Good evening Central MD! I hope you're enjoying the "LOVELY" winter weather that we are having, especially considering the past few years of unseasonably warm winters that we've had! Speaking of winter...
A WIND CHILL ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE REGION 1 am - 10 am TUE
- MONDAY: Highs will get up into the low 30s, under cloudy skies. There is a chance for some snow showers for those of you farther west in Frederick County in the morning, but we are expecting only a dusting, if that, for accumulation. Winds will pick up in the afternoon to WNW at 15-20 mph, creating wind chills in the mid teens.
- MONDAY NIGHT: The front pushing through our area will bring back those frigid temps that we have all grown used to, with lows getting down close to zero. Partly cloudy skies across the region. Winds WNW at 10-15 mph. Wind chills 5-10 degrees below zero.
- LOOKING AHEAD: The winds will finally die down throughout Tuesday, but that won't make it feel a whole lot warmer! We will see the worst wind chills Monday night into Tuesday morning, and it will continue to feel cold through Tuesday, with highs in the teens (and wind chills near 0).
- COASTAL STORM? We are currently watching a disturbance off the coast of South Carolina that could potentially turn into a winter storm. Should it develop, however, it looks as though it will hit farther south to our region (SE Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina). We are also looking at the potential for some precipitation this weekend, and as always, will keep you posted!
6:56 AM 1/26 - Welcoming you to the 10th Anniversary Week of Foot's Forecast! (and "scroll down" for today's update )
- Ten years ago, an idea which had been brewing for several years in a Maryland high school science classroom, went live on January 26, 2004. Starting today through next Sunday, we will be marking this special occasion in our history with a series of commemorative stories and features looking back on this grand experience with you all. There will even be a limited edition 10th Anniversary Hoody!
That said, we know most come here for the weather, not a trip down history lane. To read the short version of how we started, scroll to the next story below: http://www.footsforecast.org/2014/01/ten-years-of-authentic-local-weather.html) And now, back to the weather...
- TODAY - Clear skies and light winds allowed temperatures to drop back into single digits for some areas, and in the low teens near the coast. Expect bright snow glare this morning as the sun rises, with few clouds to impede sunshine. Highs reaching 22-25 F
- TONIGHT - Clouds increase ahead of yet another Arctic front. Though lows will hover near 20 F, this is a ruse of the weather. Just when you thought it couldn't get any colder, it will.
- MONDAY - The front crosses mid-morning, bringing a period of light to moderate snow behind it. We expect this to resemble Saturday. Untreated roads may get slick in spots, but accumulations should be 1" at most, with a dusting more likely.
Then, it gets COLDER, with another round of dangerous wind chills Tuesday and Wednesday morning. We're ready to cry uncle, are you?
MORE SNOW LURKING? As we mentioned last week, the long range projections looked "appropriate" considering this was our Anniversary Week coming up! Our Winter Stormcast Team has a statement on the WED-THU potential later today, but at this point we cannot rule out the potential for more accumulating snow by mid-week.
(Advisors Foot, Lear, Krichinsky and the Maryland Team)
3:50 PM 1/25 (Apprentice Forecaster J. Baron) Are we done with snow for today? Not yet.
Since mid-morning, several bands of light to moderate snow have ventured across much of central Maryland. Any snow accumulations will likely remain an inch or less with higher totals more likely north and northwest of Baltimore City.
- INTO THE EVENING: A few more bands of light snow may make their way across the region as we progress into the early evening. Temperatures will begin dropping as Arctic air reestablishes after these snow showers pass. Lows will dip to the low teens. You can track next line of snow showers on our team's new prototype radar feature: http://bit.ly/1enEw4c
- OVERNIGHT INTO SUNDAY: With northwest winds around 13 mph at times, wind chills can once again drop below 0ºF. Highs should "rebound" to the mid 20s but winds won't make things feel any different. We hope you can keep warm in these many cold days.
- LOOKING AHEAD: Our team has less concern now for the potential of a Sunday-Monday snowstorm. The low pressure system that was originally looking to impact our area will be moving well north of Maryland, producing only flurries or light snow. Interesting development are present in the Long Range, and our Winter Stormcast Team will have additional information on that possibility in a statement on Sunday.
8:55 AM 1/25 - Have you ever taken the Polar Bear Plunge Maryland ? Look before the forecast for the inside story.
TODAY- The frigid frolic in freezing water of Annapolis appears to have been canceled, with morning temperatures in the low 20s and wind chills near zero. [edit: Gale Warnings on The Bay] Temps should reach 30 at best in northern counties, and maybe crack 32 in southern/coastal counties.
Occasional light snow and flurries are expected through the day as moisture behind yesterday's front is being squeezed out by the cold air (and squeezing our patience with this weather!) Accumulations up to 1" are possible near the PA line, with a coating elsewhere.
- TONIGHT - Clouds will keep temperatures in the low teens, though that's not much help for folks suffering with broken pipes or work night shifts.
- SUNDAY & MONDAY - Highs both days in the low 20s under generally sunny skies. Earlier concerns of a snow event on Sunday have decreased as the low pressure associated with this will move into New York and not affect MD as much as first thought.
ABOUT THE PLUNGE - This amazing annual fundraiser for the Special Olympics is a great opportunity to share your photos and experiences of past events! Featured is one of our Meteorology Advisors, Dr. Pete of Catonsville, braving the elements with his family from the January 2011 Polar Bear Plunge.
Long time readers may recall that plunge was just 3 days after the region had been socked by the "Snow Monsoon" of January 26, 2011- and was facing a potential Groundhog Day Storm. For a look back on what happened (and the fun comments on the main site) you can visit this link to our story on our original main website: http://www.footsforecast.org/2011/01/talk-about-three-peat-845-am-est.html)
The MD Team Advisors (Foot, Lear, Krichinsky)