Wednesday, January 30, 2008

International House of Snowflakes

Wild Winter Weather Hits China, Israel


Some statistics this morning from site visitor Augusta Jim would indicate that the very long-term snow trend is not negative, but as Matt pointed out, La Niña may be limiting our flaky fortunes through February. If we don't get the snow, who does?

Manufacturing jobs and cash may not be the only things Washington is exporting. China is having its worst winter weather in about 50 years. CNN quoted the Xinhua news agency:
"The heavy snow and sleet has paralyzed transport and coal shipments, and led to travelers cramming railways stations and airports and power supply reductions in almost half of the 31 provinces and regions on the Chinese mainland."
CNBC reported on air this morning that coal exports had been halted and that coal inventories were down to an eight-day supply. And China isn't the only international location making local snow lovers jealous.

Click here to read entire post.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Area's Drought Continues

Moderate precipitation deficit persists into 2008


precip_small.2007.jpgChart by Capital Weather Gang. Click on image to enlarge.





While enough to get you wet without rain gear, today's semi-springlike showers have done little to dampen the impact of a prolonged dry spell in the Washington metro area. Rainfall amounts of around a tenth of an inch or less have barely equalled the long-term daily average, although more rain is possible tonight. With only two days left in the month, there have been only six days, counting today, with measurable precipitation (0.01" or more). That is less than two-thirds the average of 9.8 rainy/snowy days in the average January in the base period of 1971-2000. Total precipitation for the month is less than 50 percent of the "normal" (long-term average).

The regional 30-day precipitation percentage of average from the National Weather Service (NWS) Precipitation Analysis shows a lot of sub-average yellows and oranges, with the near to above-average grays and greens mostly limited to parts of the Northern Neck of Virginia and southern Maryland. The intensity of the dryness increases generally northward and westward of the Beltway, with Montgomery, Fairfax, and Loudoun Counties faring the worst within the near 'burbosphere.

Click here to read entire post.

Seasonal Outlook

Latest seasonal forecast: Click here.


Latest 3-month temperature outlook from Climate Prediction Center/NWS/NOAA.