Twin States Weather Blog: 2006-12-17

Friday, December 22, 2006

Let's Talk Rain

* There's nothing QUITE as exciting as talking rainfall totals on a Friday morning. OK, that's a bit sarcastic, but most of the Deep South saw a substantial soaking over the past 48 hours. These rainfall totals are from the past two days; the big winner seems to be the Stone County, MS cooperative weather observer report:

MISSISSIPPI
Leakesville, MS (Greene County): 3.69"
Lauderdale: 1.73"
Neshoba: 0.46"
Hattiesburg: 1.83"
Gulfport: 1.65"
Meridian (Key Field): 1.02"
Black Creek (Stone County): 9.74"

ALABAMA
Oakmulgee (Bibb County): 2.21"
Evergreen: 3.08"
Birmingham: 0.94"
Montgomery: 2.48"
Tuscaloosa: 1.13"

* Christmas Forecast: The thinking hasn't changed much...Rain seems like a good bet for Christmas Eve, with a few showers possibly lingering into Christmas morning. The latest model runs have backed off on the possibility of snow flurries in N MS/N AL on Christmas night...

* Long Range: I believe the pattern over the next few weeks will feature small temperature swings with brief shots of cold air. By that, I mean temperatures going from near normal (50's for highs/30's for lows) to a bit below normal for a day or two in the wake of a departing storm system. This pattern would favor nothing too warm, but nothing too cold either.

* Holiday Wishes: Personally, there are few times of the year that I cherish more than Christmas. Time spent with family and friends, football, full plates of food, and wonderful memories of holidays past make each holiday season a very enjoyable and meaningful time. It's my hope that your Christmas is consumed with meaningful time with your family, great food and fond memories. Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 21, 2006

A Rainy Night...

Rain continues to overspread Mississippi and Alabama from the south and southwest. The rain is heavy at times; radar estimates that over 1" has already fallen along the U.S. Highway 84 corridor. The remainder of the area will see some rain later tonight, and it will be heavy at times.

Storms? The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for parts of southern Louisiana. While we cannot rule out a strong storm or two, we certainly don't anticipate a widespread severe weather episode. The atmosphere is simply too stable.

* Christmas Forecast: We still anticipate some rain around here for Christmas. And, IF you believe the 18z GFS, there is a chance of a few snow flurries across central Mississippi on Christmas night. I'm not quite ready to introduce that in the forecast just yet, but the model is showing a very deep, cold upper level low.
As mentioned in this space many times, those systems are well-known for producing unexpected fun. We'll watch. For now, let's stick with the idea that Christmas Eve will feature some rain, and the moisture will sweep out before the cold air arrives Christmas morning.

* Personal Christmas Shopping Update: I'm just about done with my shopping. I need to pick up one or two small items, and that should finish the job. As I get older, it seems that I'm buying for more and more people. That makes for more work, but it's certainly worth it! I hope your Christmas shopping is done soon, but more importantly, I hope your Christmas is a meaningful and happy occasion.

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

A Colorado Blizzard

* A tremendous December blizzard continues tonight across much of the central U.S.

Here are the snowfall reports coming out of the National Weather Service office in Boulder, Colorado:
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/product.php?site=BOU&product=LSR&issuedby=BOU

Here are some pictures of today's blizzard, courtesy of the Denver Post:
http://denverpostplus.com/galleries/newsgallery.html

* No blizzard around here - but the rain continues. We'll see more rain tonight and tomorrow, with some sunshine returning for Saturday. Another system will approach the area Christmas Eve and into Christmas Day, bringing rain chances and a shot of much colder air into Mississippi and Alabama for next week.

* I hope you and your family are gearing up for a wonderful Christmas holiday!