Syracuse Snowless String Snapped Sharply

The National Weather Service reports that the 1" of snow which fell at Syracuse, NY on December 3 ended a string of 280 days with less than an inch of snow which began on February 26. This was 7 days less than the record of 287 days from February 26 to December 8 last year.

Since that first snowfall of the season, Syracuse has set 3 consecutive daily snowfall records:

Date    Amount  Old Record Year
Dec. 6   12.2"   8.8"      2000
Dec. 7    9.3"   7.0"      1958
Dec. 8   14.9"   8.9"      1961 

Through Dec. 9, measurable snow has now fallen at Syracuse every day this month except for the 2nd. The monthly total so far of 47.7" is over 50% above the average December total of 28.6". On the other hand, this is still well below the top 5 snowiest Decembers since 1950:

1. 70.3  2000
2. 64.6  1989
3. 52.9  2005
4. 52.5  1969
5. 51.9  1970 

The December daily snowfall record at Syracuse is 18.6", set on the 30th in 1997. The annual average snowfall is 121.1".

Another extended bout of lake-effect snow is likely next week.

As of last evening, NWS reports show 5-day storm totals approaching 5 feet in a few places:

********************STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL 12/4-12/9/2010****************

LOCATION          STORM TOTAL    TIME/DATE    COMMENTS
                     SNOWFALL       OF
                     (INCHES)   MEASUREMENT


NEW YORK

...BROOME COUNTY...
   BINGHAMTON REG        21.7   700 AM  12/9 BINGHAMTON AIRPORT
   WHITNEY POINT         16.8   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 1.7 SSE
   WINDSOR               13.4   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 8 SE
   CHENANGO FORKS        11.1   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 3 SE
   BINGHAMTON             8.4   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 1.8 SW
   VESTAL                 7.9   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 2.8 SSE

...CAYUGA COUNTY...
   AUBURN                20.3  1023 AM  12/9 COOP
   CAYUGA                16.0   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 3.2 ESE
   AUBURN                15.6   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 8.3 SSE
   LOCKE                 13.3  1029 AM  12/9 COOP

...CHEMUNG COUNTY...
   VAN ETTEN              1.6   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 0.3 ENE

...CHENANGO COUNTY...
   SHERBURNE             28.3   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 3.6 NNE
   SHERBURNE             16.2  1030 AM  12/9 COOP
   NORWICH                8.1   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 5.4 W

...CORTLAND COUNTY...
   FREETOWN              15.0  1001 AM  12/9 COCORAHS
   MCGRAW                15.0   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 5.2 SE
   WILLET                14.8   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 1.8 E
   MARATHON              13.1   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 1 NW
   MARATHON               8.6   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 0.7 WSW

...DELAWARE COUNTY...
   HAMDEN                12.3  1005 AM  12/9 COCORAHS

...MADISON COUNTY...
   FENNER                50.6   827 AM  12/9 SPOTTER
   CAZENOVIA             48.7   838 AM  12/9 SPOTTER
   MORRISVILLE           35.2  1040 AM  12/9 COOP MRRN6
   MUNNSVILLE            32.0   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 2 SW
   LAKEPORT              26.5   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS
   CAZENOVIA             25.8   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 2.9 SE
   EARLVILLE             19.7   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 0.4 W
   CANASTOTA             16.8   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 0.9 S
   ONEIDA                15.4   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 0.7 NNE

...ONEIDA COUNTY...
   DURHAMVILLE           17.9   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 3.5 NNW
   VERNON                17.8   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 0.4 NNW
   POINT ROCK            15.5   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 0.6 SE
   NEW HARTFORD          10.6   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 0.8 S
   STOKES CORNER         10.2   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 1.4 NE
   LAKE DELTA            10.1  1031 AM  12/9 COOP
   WHITESBORO             8.9   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 3.9 NE
   ROME                   7.8   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 4.8 SSE
   WESTERNVILLE           7.7   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 2 NW
   WESTMORELAND           7.6  1030 AM  12/9 SPOTTER
   HOLLAND PATENT         7.4   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 1.5 WSW
   BOONVILLE              3.5  1032 AM  12/9 COOP
   BOONVILLE              3.3   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 8 E
   MARCY                  2.0   804 AM  12/9 COCORAHS

...ONONDAGA COUNTY...
   DE WITT               58.2   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 1.4 WSW
   SYRACUSE              58.2  1009 AM  12/9 COCORAHS
   LIVERPOOL             54.7   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 3.1 N
   CLAY                  52.1   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 4.6 NW
   VILLAGE GREEN         49.6   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 2.6 ESE
   SYRACUSE              46.1   500 PM  12/9 SYRACUSE AIRPORT
   CAMILLUS              45.2   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 1 W
   CLAY                  44.2  1010 AM  12/9 COCORAHS
   FAYETTEVILLE          40.4   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 1.6 W
   MARCELLUS             36.1   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 1.6 E
   BREWERTON             34.4   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 1.5 ESE
   SYRACUSE              33.8   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 1.4 SE
   BREWERTON             23.5  1032 AM  12/9 COOP BWTN6
   JAMESVILLE            22.3  1012 AM  12/9 COCORAHS
   POMPEY                22.3   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 2 NNW
   TULLY                 17.0   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 1.7 WSW

...OTSEGO COUNTY...
   HARTWICK              18.8   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS
   WORCESTER             18.5   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 4 SSW
   COOPERSTOWN           17.6   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 0.3 S
   UNADILLA FORKS        16.8  1014 AM  12/9 COCORAHS
   RICHFIELD SPRINGS     13.5   700 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 0.5 ESE
   MARYLAND              10.9  1033 AM  12/9 COOP
   NEW BERLIN             6.0   900 AM  12/9 COCORAHS 

Image (click to enlarge): Clinton Square in downtown Syracuse, Wednesday morning (Dec. 8), from Syracuse Post-Standard.

Drought Dispatch: Florida's Fall Increased Intensity

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report shows that the intensity of the ongoing drought increased in Florida through the last reporting week of November and the end of meteorological fall. As of November 30, only 4% of the state (in the extreme southeast) was free of drought conditions, down from 8% the previous week and 74% at the beginning of autumn. The portion of the state in Extreme Drought (Category D3), the second highest category, was 8%, up from 2% the previous week.

Dry conditions in Florida began to become established in mid summer, and they have steadily increased since then. Although percentages of normal precipitation increased somewhat in November from October's ultra bone-dry levels, particularly in a small area on the southwestern coast and panhandle, they were well below 75% over much of the state.

November precipitation was substantially substandard in most of east-central Florida. The National Weather Service (NWS) reports that the measurable rainfall on November 2 ended a 34-day dry spell at both Orlando and Melbourne. This was the 4th longest rain-free stretch at Orlando on record and the 5th longest at Melbourne. Melbourne was the only major reporting station in the region to report above-average rainfall for the month. The total of 4.62" for the autumn season at Daytona Beach was a new record low, surpassing the 5.37" in 1925.

STATION           NOV 2010      30 YEAR   DEPARTURE     PERCENT OF
                  RAINFALL      NORMAL    FROM NORMAL     NORMAL

DAYTONA BEACH      0.95"         3.03"      -2.08"           31%
(DAB)
ORLANDO            1.68"         2.32"      -0.64"           72% 
(MCO)
MELBOURNE          3.43"         3.12"      +0.31"          110% 
(MLB)
VERO BEACH         2.43"         3.04"      -0.61"           80% 
(VRB)
CLERMONT           1.67"         2.40"      -0.73"           70% 
(CLRF1)
DELAND             1.74"         2.72"      -0.98"           64%    
(DELF1)  
SANFORD            1.37"         2.96"      -1.59"           46% 
(SFNF1)
TITUSVILLE         1.71"         3.45"      -1.74"           50% 
(TITF1)
FORT PIERCE        1.38"         3.50"      -2.12"           39% 
(FPCF1)
STUART             2.29"         4.23"      -1.94"           54% 
(STRF1)  

Images (click to enlarge): Florida drought monitor for November 30, 2010 from USDA/NOAA--intensity ranges from D0/Abnormally Dry (yellow) through D3/Extreme Drought (red); Florida percent of normal precipitation for October and November 2010, from National Weather Service

Shovel Off to Buffalo: Lake Effect Snow on Steroids Reaches Over 3 Feet, Strands Motorists

The National Weather Service (NWS) reports that huge lake effect snowfalls have been observed over a narrow band south of Buffalo, NY in the last 2 days. The prodigious precipitation results from a perfect alignment of Arctic air flow over the relatively warmer waters of Lake Erie.

In the 48 hours ending 8 am today (Dec. 3), as much as 42" of snow was measured by a NWS employee in the town of Depew. The Associated Press, via The Weather Channel, reports that amounts varied widely over small distances, however:

Within the City of Buffalo itself, totals ranged from a dusting in the northern half of the city to an inch or two downtown to over 2 feet in south Buffalo!

Associated Press, via USA Today, reports that motorists were stranded as long as 20 hours on the New York State Thruway:

Emergency procedures will be reviewed after a lake-effect snowstorm and a flawed response left hundreds of motorists stranded for hours on a highway, the head of the New York State Thruway Authority said Friday.

Executive Director Michael Fleischer said the agency should have closed nearly two dozen non-toll entrance ramps to Interstate 90 much sooner after jackknifed tractor-trailers blocked traffic just east of Buffalo. He also said officials should have done a better job alerting drivers that delays loomed ahead and shouldn't have waited so long to get help to the stranded motorists, some stuck for 20 hours or more.

Here are some of the more outrageous amounts reported by the NWS from Erie County:

********************STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL********************

LOCATION          STORM TOTAL    TIME/DATE    COMMENTS
                     SNOWFALL       OF
                     (INCHES)   MEASUREMENT

...ERIE COUNTY...
   DEPEW                 42.0   800 AM  12/3 NWS EMPLOYEE
   BUFFALO               39.0  1000 AM  12/3 SE CORNER BUFFALO
   ELMA                  30.0   800 AM  12/3 NWS EMPLOYEE
   WEST SENECA           30.0   800 AM  12/3 COCORAHS
   LANCASTER             29.5  1059 AM  12/3 NWS EMPLOYEE
   LANCASTER             29.0   800 AM  12/3 NWS EMPLOYEE
   WEST SENECA           24.7   800 AM  12/3 COCORAHS
   MARILLA               23.0   800 AM  12/3 SOUTHERN PORTION
   LANCASTER             22.0   800 AM  12/3 NWS EMPLOYEE
   BLASDELL              20.3   800 AM  12/3 COCORAHS
   BUFFALO               20.0   800 AM  12/3 COCORAHS - FIRST WARD
   WALES                 16.0   800 AM  12/3 COCORAHS
   AKRON                 14.0   900 AM  12/3 COCORAHS
   ELMA CENTER           13.0   800 AM  12/3 NWS EMPLOYEE
   EAST AURORA           10.7   800 AM  12/3 COCORAHS
   BUFFALO                9.2   800 AM  12/3 AIRPORT
   BOSTON                 7.0   800 AM  12/3 COCORAHS
   GLENWOOD               6.5   800 AM  12/3 COCORAHS
   WILLIAMSVILLE          5.8   800 AM  12/3 COCORAHS
   CLARENCE CENTER        4.5   800 AM  12/3 SPOTTER
   WILLIAMSVILLE          2.8   800 AM  12/3 COCORAHS
   TONAWANDA              1.2   800 AM  12/3 COCORAHS
   KENMORE                1.0   800 AM  12/3 COCORAHS 

Images (click to enlarge): Traffic blocked by heavy snow on the New York State Thruway near Buffalo, NY, Dec. 2, 2010, AP photo via The Weather Channel; Total snowfall, Dec. 1-3, 2010, from NWS; Surface weather map at 8 am EDT, Dec. 2, 2010

November Temperature Extremes: Heat Records Far Exceed Cold For 9th Consecutive Month

For related record temperature posts, see:

• Record Heat
• Record Cold

As they have for every month in 2010 except January and February, U.S. daily maximum temperature records far exceeded minimum records in November. Thanks to a cold surge in the last week of the month, the ratio of heat records to cold records declined to 1.8:1, but the ratio of 2.7:1 for the year to date is still well above that of the most recent decade.

Heat records dominated cold records by a wide margin for most of the month, reaching a peak of 126 on the 23rd. Daily cold records, on the other hand, peaked at 90 on the 25th.

Preliminary average temperature data for November from NOAA/NCEP show temperatures near to above average over nearly the entire country. Small areas along the immediate Carolina coast and from central Nevada through western Arizona were the only regions with temperatures more than 1°C below the 1968-1996 climatological average. Temperatures were at least 1°C above average over most of the area from the Rockies to the Appalachians, with the warmest temperatures of 3°C or more above average across the northern Great Lakes northward into a large portion of southern and central Canada.

More detailed temperature analyses should be available from the NOAA National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) around the middle of next week.

Images (click to enlarge):
- Total number of daily high temperature, low temperature, and high minimum temperature records set in the U.S. for spring 2010 (March-April-May) and monthly from June through November 2010, data from NOAA National Climatic Data Center, background image © Kevin Ambrose (www.weatherbook.com). Includes historical daily observations archived in NCDC's Cooperative Summary of the Day data set and preliminary reports from Cooperative Observers and First Order National Weather Service stations. All stations have a Period of Record of at least 30 years.
- Daily numbers of high and low temperature records set in the U.S. for November 2010, data source as above
- November 2010 temperature departure from climatological average from NOAA/NCEP via ESRL

Yet Another Spin of the Washington Weathercaster Revolving Door

The dcrtv blog reports another new face in the weather department at CBS affiliate WUSA-TV, Channel 9, in Washington:

DCRTV hears that Channel 9/WUSA has hired Anny Hong [April 2009 video below] as weekend meteorologist and weekday reporter. She comes from the KOVR/KMAX TV combo in Sacramento. She's also worked at TVers in Fresno, Eugene OR, Syracuse, and Watertown NY. She interned at the BBC in London and CNN in Seoul. She is a graduate of Syracuse University where she double-majored in broadcast journalism and policy studies. Hong received her broadcast meteorology degree from Mississippi State University.....

She has most recently been living in Paris:

After working as an Anchor/Reporter at CBS13, Anny Hong is fulfilling her dream of living in Paris. She moved to France to cover stories in Europe and attend the prestigious Sorbonne University to learn French. She will also be taking cooking courses at the world-renowned Cordon Bleu culinary institution. Along with going to school, she'll be blogging about her life and experiences in France. She will also be Skyping and reporting LIVE from various events and interesting locations on Good Day Sacramento and CBS13. Local high school students from several schools that offer French language courses will also be Skyping with Anny on a regular basis.

Colbert Contemplates Congressional Commerce Committee Chair Choices

Stephen Colbert recently surveyed the candidates for chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the new Congress beginning in January. The analysis focused on Rep. Barton of Texas and Rep. Shimkus of Illinois: "Joe Barton is an expert on the wind industry, and John Shimkus knows that God will not destroy the Earth." Shimkus is awarded the famous "Colbert bump."

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Chair Apparent
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes 2010 Election March to Keep Fear Alive

"North Sea Effect": UK November Snow Deepest Since 1965; Widespread Travel Disruption

Dec. 1 Update: The November 26-30 average sea level pressure shows an excess of more than 35 mb between Greenland and Iceland along with a deficit of 15-20 mb over central Europe. This intensifies the easterly and northeasterly air flow over the UK. The accompanying map of average wind speed and direction shows the strongest winds over the North Sea and to the north and west of the British Isles and Ireland.

The BBC reports (Snow and ice causes disruption as cold spell continues) this evening:

Temperatures are set to plunge again overnight after one of the coldest starts to December in more than 20 years has caused chaos across the UK.

Some 4,000 schools have been closed, and Edinburgh and Gatwick airports will be shut until at least Thursday.

Images (click to enlarge): View of Gatwick Airport from BBC; 5-day average sea-level pressure and winds for November 26-30 from NOAA/NCEP operational data

Original post:
The Met Office has announced that the recent UK snow is the deepest since 1965. Ewen McCallum, the Chief Meteorologist, explained the atmospheric circulation patterns causing the intense early season cold and snowfall:

Normally, our winds come from the west keeping our winters relatively mild. However, during November (like last winter) we have seen a large area of high pressure develop in the Atlantic, causing a "block" to the westerly winds that tend to keep us that little bit milder. As a result this has allowed very cold Arctic air to move south across mainland Europe.

At this time of year, the long nights over the landmass of Europe cool down rapidly and so the air has remained bitterly cold. However, this air has had to cross a relatively warm North Sea to get to the UK and has therefore picked up heat and moisture. Because the air is so cold, this has resulted in snow showers forming and with the wind coming from the east, it is coastal areas along the North Sea that have seen the heaviest snow. The localised nature of showers means that the amount of lying snow has varied greatly from place to place.

The BBC reports:

Hundreds of schools have closed, driving conditions have been hazardous, and rail and air passengers have been delayed, as the snow moves south.

The Met Office has issued heavy snow warnings for Yorkshire and Humber, east Midlands, east and north-east England, London and south-east England.

The surface/500 mb pressure chart (rotated for clarity) shows very strong high pressure extending from south of Greenland eastward to Scandinavia. Easterly flow to the south is bringing cold air from the European continent westward across the UK.

Other coverage:

Telegraph:

• UK snow: roads and schools closed as more Arctic weather forecast
• Snow leaves commuters stranded

Guardian:

• Colder than Reykjavik: UK set for more snow as temperatures drop to -1C
• Snow wraps UK in early subzero embrace

Image (click to enlarge): 500 mb height/sea-level pressure at noon GMT, November 30, 2010, from Unisys