At 11:00 a.m. today the alarm went off. 20 pre-teen students went nuts at the sight of our first flakes falling from the sky. All learning ceased for a good 5 minutes as they postulated the probability of getting out early as their calm (but equally as excited) teacher tried to explain how the dynamics of the storm wouldn't allow for much snow to fall...but to no avail.
A strong storm system to our north brought us a relatively dry cold front. With it came a steep decrease in temperature, and sharp gusty winds from the NW. We got some good flurries and a light snow shower between 11:00 and 11:45 am.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Winter Storms
The dry weather pattern that has dominated our region for the past 60 days is beginning to ease up. After 56 days of only 0.99" of precip, we have enjoyed three days in a row with rainfall, and two of them graced us with thunderstorms.
On Monday, you could feel the moisture in the air all day as a strong southerly WAA was in effect. The trailing cold front brought some strong storms to the area. In Auxvausse, the rain and wind was pretty intense, but at home I only found 0.06 in the gauge. Our wind topped 40 mph with the strongest storm.
This morning, we have had steady light to moderate rain with embedded storms, although not as strong as Monday's. The main feature of these storms is heavy rain. We have ponding in our back yard this morning, not because of large amounts of rain, but rather because of our extremely dry semi-impermeable clay soil.
Awaiting a strong cold front tonight. Should be a brisk day tomorrow!
On Monday, you could feel the moisture in the air all day as a strong southerly WAA was in effect. The trailing cold front brought some strong storms to the area. In Auxvausse, the rain and wind was pretty intense, but at home I only found 0.06 in the gauge. Our wind topped 40 mph with the strongest storm.
This morning, we have had steady light to moderate rain with embedded storms, although not as strong as Monday's. The main feature of these storms is heavy rain. We have ponding in our back yard this morning, not because of large amounts of rain, but rather because of our extremely dry semi-impermeable clay soil.
Awaiting a strong cold front tonight. Should be a brisk day tomorrow!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Dry and Pleasant Start to November
So far, the November weather pattern has followed suit with what we've been experiencing the past month and change. We are on day 16 with no rainfall, and of the past 46 days, only 0.54" of rain has fallen. We haven't experienced this type of aridness since the summer of 2007. There are currently no immediate impacts that I can forsee of our lack of moisture. There are places in Missouri, however that are drier than us and are in need of groundwater recharge.
Oh, but the changes are a comin. With the passage of a weak cold front tonight, the cards are set for a colder and more active weather pattern. High temperatures will most likely stay at or below normal for most of the rest of the month, and we may even see our first flakes of the year.
Diurnal Temperature Variations
Thanks to a comment on Bob's blog, posted by OSNW3, I was curious to know what our diurnal temps do throughout the year. I must admit, I never thought of it before. Interesting stuff indeed. Here's what I found out.
As expected, the transitional months of Mar/Apr, and Sep/Oct contain the highest amount, with the more steady temperatures occurring in the summer and winter months. In winter, we can see days where the temperature doesn't move but a few degrees in a 24 hour period. The dense air masses that invade the area, and prevalent cloud cover throughout no doubt have an impact on this. I was a bit surprised with November, as there's a pretty extreme drop off from the beginning to the end of the month. I'm sure the increase in cloud cover that occurs during this month has a part in this equation as well. Lots to think about on this one!
Oh, but the changes are a comin. With the passage of a weak cold front tonight, the cards are set for a colder and more active weather pattern. High temperatures will most likely stay at or below normal for most of the rest of the month, and we may even see our first flakes of the year.
Diurnal Temperature Variations
Thanks to a comment on Bob's blog, posted by OSNW3, I was curious to know what our diurnal temps do throughout the year. I must admit, I never thought of it before. Interesting stuff indeed. Here's what I found out.
As expected, the transitional months of Mar/Apr, and Sep/Oct contain the highest amount, with the more steady temperatures occurring in the summer and winter months. In winter, we can see days where the temperature doesn't move but a few degrees in a 24 hour period. The dense air masses that invade the area, and prevalent cloud cover throughout no doubt have an impact on this. I was a bit surprised with November, as there's a pretty extreme drop off from the beginning to the end of the month. I'm sure the increase in cloud cover that occurs during this month has a part in this equation as well. Lots to think about on this one!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
October Weather Summary
What a change we experienced this month! A quick look at our data throughout the year, and October will stick out. Dry and warmer-than-average is the best way to summarize the month. We have had only 0.54" recorded over the past 41 days, and 71% of those days recorded higher than average max temps. The dry and warm weather couldn't have come at a better time, as the regional farmers were given ample time to get in their crops. Most are done now, and have started in on their winter work.
We had our first frost on Oct. 4th
Our first freeze occurred on Oct. 29
Temperature
The above average temperatures were incredible. It gave us a longer than normal transition period between summer and winter. Usually in this region we get about 10 days of "chamber of commerce weather" before cold/windy days arrive.
Mean Temp: 59.5°
Deviation: 3.4°
Maximum: 85° on 8-Oct
Minimum: 28° on 29-Oct
Precipitation
Not much happening here. As you can see in the graphic below, much of the country had dry rain buckets, with extremes in SE Texas and Florida.
Check out the contrast between last year and this year.
Other Weather Info:
Days with thunder: 1
Days with fog: 4
Days with wind gust (>= 20 mph): 16
A final count on mowing the yard: 22. Kids in the neighborhood here charge ~$20 per yard. That's a pretty good haul for a teenager, especially if you have the time to work several houses through the summer.
We had our first frost on Oct. 4th
Our first freeze occurred on Oct. 29
Temperature
The above average temperatures were incredible. It gave us a longer than normal transition period between summer and winter. Usually in this region we get about 10 days of "chamber of commerce weather" before cold/windy days arrive.
Mean Temp: 59.5°
Deviation: 3.4°
Maximum: 85° on 8-Oct
Minimum: 28° on 29-Oct
Precipitation
Not much happening here. As you can see in the graphic below, much of the country had dry rain buckets, with extremes in SE Texas and Florida.
Average October: 3.25"
Actual October: 0.54" (-2.71")
Days with measurable precipitation: 4
Check out the contrast between last year and this year.
Other Weather Info:
Days with thunder: 1
Days with fog: 4
Days with wind gust (>= 20 mph): 16
A final count on mowing the yard: 22. Kids in the neighborhood here charge ~$20 per yard. That's a pretty good haul for a teenager, especially if you have the time to work several houses through the summer.
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