Friday, December 7, 2012

Midwest Mildness Smashes Snowless Streaks;
Records Broken in Nebraska

December 10 Update: The streak continues at Milwaukee, where no precipitation is forecast before Saturday. It also continues at Chicago, Omaha, Lincoln.

December 9 Update:
The Omaha snowless streak has continued through today, bringing the new record to 289 days, 5 beyond the old record.

The Lincoln streak has also extended through today, reaching 300 days.

The Norfolk NE streak ended on December 7 (Friday) with 0.5", missing the record.

Milwaukee has had no snow so far today, which will break the record if it extends to midnight. With the temperature of 37° and light drizzle at 7 pm CST, that seems likely.

The Des Moines record streak ended today at 279 days with 1.4" of snow.

On December 7, the WGN Chicago Weather Center blog reported:
As of Friday evening the steak of days without measurable (0.1 inch) snow at Chicago's official O'Hare International Airport observation site had reached 278 - the last measurable snow occurring back on March 4th. Chicago's record longest consecutive day period without measurable snow (since 1871) was 280 days set back in 1994.
Chicago has received no measurable snow so far today, so it's likely that the record will at least be tied.

Original Post:
The record warmest year to date in U.S. climate history and the ongoing Midwest drought have combined to produce record longest snowless streaks at several locations. The image above from the Rutgers Global Snow Lab (click to enlarge) shows virtually no snow cover in North America south of the Canadian border with the U.S. as of yesterday, December 6.

From the National Weather Service:
Omaha last recorded measurable snowfall on February 24, 2012, with 0.2 inches. The streak of 284 days since that date is tied for the longest snow-free streak on record at Omaha as of December 4, and the streak will be extended at least for the next couple of days. The previous record of 284 days ended on December 30, 2006, which was the latest date of the first measurable snow on record in Omaha. Snowfall records in Omaha go back to the winter of 1884-85, with two missing years (1996-97 and 1997-98).

Lincoln last recorded measurable snowfall on February 13, 2012, with 1.1 inches. The streak of 295 days since that date is tied for the longest snow-free streak on record at Lincoln as of December 4, and the streak will be extended at least for the next couple of days. The previous record of 295 days ended on November 27, 2004. Snowfall records in Lincoln go back to the winter of 1948-49, with one missing year (1996-97).

Norfolk last recorded measurable snowfall on February 24, 2012, with 1.0 inches. The streak of 284 days since that date is the third longest snow-free streak on record at Norfolk as of December 4, and the streak will be extended at least for the next couple of days. The record of 298 days ended on January 13, 2007, which was the latest date of the first measurable snow on record in Norfolk. Partial snowfall records in Norfolk go back to the winter of 1893-94, with complete records beginning in 1946-47.

The long streak without measurable snowfall is due to a combination of ongoing drought conditions and record warmth. 2012 remains the warmest year to date on record at Omaha and Norfolk and the 3rd warmest on record in Lincoln. Also, 2012 is the 2nd driest year to date in Norfolk, the 7th driest year to date in Lincoln, and the 20th driest year to date in Omaha.

Total snowfall for the calendar year 2012 to date in Omaha is 12.8 inches, which is the 5th lowest on record for a calendar year (of all the complete years). For Lincoln, the total snowfall for the calendar year 2012 to date is 13.9 inches, which is also the 5th lowest on record for a calendar year. At Norfolk, the total snowfall for the calendar year 2012 to date is 7.2 inches, which is the lowest on record for a calendar year, in years with complete records.
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, today will tie the record for second longest streak. If it lasts through Sunday, it will break the record:
As of Thursday, December 6th, Milwaukee has gone 277 days since the last day with measurable snow, which is the 3rd longest streak on record. The last time Milwaukee had measurable snow was on March 4, 2012, when 0.9 inches was measured.

Milwaukee will be able to add more days to the streak, since there are only small chances of snow this weekend, with better chances for rain, given the mild temperatures that are forecast.

If Milwaukee makes it through today, with no measurable snow, that will tie for the second longest streak on record (278 days, set in 1908).

If Milwaukee makes it through Saturday, December 8th, with no measurable snow, that will tie for the longest streak on record (279 days, set in 1999).

Finally, if Milwaukee makes it through Sunday, December 9th, with no measurable snow, that will establish the longest streak on record.

The latest date for the first measurable snow in a winter season in the climate record for Milwaukee is December 26, 1888, when 0.1 inches of snow fell. The latest first one inch or greater snowfall in a winter season was on January 20, 1889, when 3.5 inches of snow fell. Thus, both these records occurred in the winter of 1888-1889.
On Tuesday, December 4, the NWS at Des Moines, Iowa, tweeted: With no snow though today, the record will be broken.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

November Update: U.S. Continues on Track for Record Warmest Year


The preliminary national climate review for November from the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) shows that the U.S. is virtually certain to set a record for warmest yearly average temperature in 2012. Although November was only the 20th warmest on record (tied with 2004), the accumulated warmth so far this year means that December would have to be the coldest on record by a wide margin to avoid setting a new annual record. How likely is that? Through the first 5 days of this month, there have been over 1100 record high temperatures set or tied in the contiguous 48 states, vs. only 3 record lows. This means that the remaining days of the year would have to be even more spectacularly cold to bring the average down to the old record. According to the latest extended forecast from the Climate Prediction Center, however, the odds that December will be warmer than average through the first 3 weeks are quite good.

The highlights from the NCDC:
The average temperature for the contiguous U.S. during November was 44.1°F, 2.1°F above the 20th century average, tying 2004 as the 20th warmest November on record.

November brought warmer-than-average conditions to the western half of the country. The largest temperature departures from average were centered near the Rockies where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming had November temperatures among their ten warmest.

The Eastern Seaboard, Ohio Valley, and Southeast were cooler than average during November. North Carolina tied its 10th coolest November on record, with a statewide-averaged temperature 3.5°F below average.

The January-November period was the warmest first 11 months of any year on record for the contiguous United States. The national temperature of 57.1°F was 3.3°F above the 20th century average, and 1.0°F above the previous record warm January-November of 1934. During the 11-month period, 18 states were record warm and an additional 24 states were top ten warm.

It appears virtually certain that 2012 will surpass the current record (1998, 54.3°F) as the warmest year for the nation. December 2012 temperatures would need to be more than 1.0°F colder than the coldest December (1983) for 2012 to not break the record.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Early December Heat Sets Mid Atlantic Records

The high temperature of 71° set a new record for December 3 at Washington. The National Weather Service report:
A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 71 DEGREES WAS SET AT WASHINGTON   
REAGAN NATIONAL DC TODAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 70 SET IN   
1950.  
The 69° at Dulles and 70° at Baltimore/BWI failed to reach their respective records of 74° and 72° from 1998, however.

Other record reports around the region so far:
THE HIGH TEMPERATURE REACHED 71 DEGREES IN GEORGETOWN [Delaware] AT 151 PM THIS  
AFTERNOON. THIS BREAKS THE PREVIOUS RECORD OF 70 DEGREES SET IN 1950.  

THE RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 68 DEGREES WAS TIED AT THE   
NEW CASTLE COUNTY AIRPORT NEAR WILMINGTON THIS AFTERNOON. THE RECORD   
HIGH WAS ORIGINALLY SET IN 2009.  
To the south, in North Carolina:
THE TEMPERATURE AT THE PIEDMONT TRIAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT REACHED   
73 DEGREES AT 201 PM. THIS BREAKS THE PREVIOUS RECORD MAXIMUM   
TEMPERATURE OF 72 DEGREES THAT WAS SET IN 1970.  
Nationally, as shown in the widget to the left, over 6000 high temperature records have been set or tied so far in 2012.



Sunday, December 2, 2012

Decmber Kicks Off With a Record-Smashing Start: U.S. Heat Records Beat Cold Records 58 to 2

December 3 Update: The number of new high temperature records for the first 2 days of December has now reached 195 in the 48 contiguous states, a ratio of nearly 100 to 1.

8 PM Update: Here are some National Weather Service record reports for December 2, including record high minimums:
A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 82 DEGREES WAS SET AT WACO TODAY. THIS   
TIES THE OLD RECORD OF 82 SET IN 2007.  

THE LOW TEMPERATURE THIS MORNING AT DALLAS FORT WORTH AIRPORT   
WAS 67 DEGREES. THIS BROKE THE OLD RECORD HIGH MINIMUM FOR DECEMBER  
2ND OF 63 DEGREES WHICH WAS SET IN 1922 AND 1993.  

LOCATION       OLD RECORD      NEW RECORD         YEARS OF DATA   
------------------------------------------------------------------     
SHREVEPORT LA  79 IN 1950      80 IN 2012       RECORDS SINCE 1874  
LONGVIEW TX    80 IN 1950      81 IN 2012       RECORDS SINCE 1902  
LUFKIN TX      83 IN 1978      83 IN 2012       RECORDS SINCE 1906 

A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 81 DEGREES WAS SET AT NEW IBERIA TODAY.   
THIS TIES THE OLD RECORD OF 81 SET IN 2007.  

A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 87 DEGREES WAS SET AT CORPUS CHRISTI TODAY.   
THIS TIES THE OLD RECORD OF 87 SET IN 1964.  

A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 79 DEGREES WAS SET AT GALVESTON TODAY.   
THIS TIES THE OLD RECORD OF 79 SET IN 2007.  

A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 84 DEGREES WAS SET AT HOUSTON INTERCONTINENTAL TODAY.   
THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 83 SET IN 1978.  

A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 84 DEGREES WAS SET AT HOUSTON/HOBBY AIRPORT TODAY.   
THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 83 SET IN 1970.  

THE HIGH TEMPERATURE AT AMARILLO REACHED 78 DEGREES TODAY AT 311 PM   
CST. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 76 WHICH WAS SET IN 1995 AND   
1926.

A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 82 DEGREES WAS EQUALED AT CHILDRESS   
TODAY. THIS TIES THE OLD RECORD OF 82 SET IN 1995.  

THE LOW TEMPERATURE OF 63 DEGREES AT ABILENE REGIONAL AIRPORT   
TODAY...SET A NEW HIGH MINIMUM TEMPERATURE RECORD FOR THIS DATE. THE   
PREVIOUS RECORD OF 59 WAS SET IN 1922. IF THE TEMPERATURE DOES NOT   
DROP BELOW 63 DEGREES BY MIDNIGHT THIS WILL BE THE NEW RECORD.  
  
THE LOW TEMPERATURE OF 61 DEGREES AT MATHIS FIELD IN SAN ANGELO   
TODAY...SET A NEW HIGH MINIMUM TEMPERATURE RECORD FOR THIS DATE. THE   
PREVIOUS RECORD OF 57 DEGREES WAS SET IN 1951. IF THE TEMPERATURES   
DOES NOT DROP BELOW 61 DEGREES BY MIDNIGHT THIS WILL BE THE NEW   
RECORD.  

A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 75 DEGREES WAS SET AT FAYETTEVILLE   
ARKANSAS TODAY. THIS BREAKS THE PREVIOUS RECORD OF 74 SET IN 1970.  

A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 78 DEGREES WAS SET AT FORT SMITH   
ARKANSAS TODAY. THIS BREAKS THE PREVIOUS RECORD OF 76 SET IN 1970. 

THE HIGH TEMPERATURE AT THE WICHITA MID CONTINENT AIRPORT REACHED 69   
DEGREES THIS AFTERNOON. THIS BREAKS THE PREVIOUS RECORD HIGH OF 68   
DEGREES FOR THIS DATE SET BACK IN 1970.  

A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 72 DEGREES WAS SET AT MCCOOK NEBRASKA   
TODAY.  THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 70 DEGREES SET IN 2008.  

THE TEMPERATURE AT THE CENTRAL NEBRASKA REGIONAL AIRPORT IN   
GRAND ISLAND NEBRASKA REACHED 70 DEGREES AT 139 PM CST. THIS  
BREAKS THE PREVIOUS RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 67 DEGREES SET  
BACK IN 1956. THIS TEMPERATURE WAS 29 DEGREES WARMER THAN THE  
NORMAL HIGH OF 41 DEGREES FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.  TEMPERATURE RECORDS 
AT GRAND ISLAND DATE BACK TO 1896.   

THE TEMPERATURE AT HASTINGS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT IN HASTINGS NEBRASKA  
REACHED 68 DEGREES AT 326 PM CST. THIS TIES THE RECORD HIGH  
TEMPERATURE OF 68 DEGREES SET BACK IN 1956. THIS TEMPERATURES WAS  
27 DEGREES WARMER THAN THE NORMAL HIGH OF 41 DEGREES FOR THIS TIME  
OF YEAR.  

AT 304 PM THE TEMPERATURE IN LINCOLN REACHED 68 DEGREES. THIS   
ESTABLISHED A RECORD HIGH FOR DECEMBER 2. THE PREVIOUS RECORD WAS 65   
DEGREES SET IN 1988 AND 1956.  

A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 73 DEGREES WAS SET AT SPRINGFIELD MO   
TODAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 72 SET IN 1970.  
  
 A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 73 DEGREES WAS SET AT VICHY-ROLLA MO   
TODAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 71 SET IN 1982.  
  
 A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 73 DEGREES WAS SET AT WEST PLAINS MO   
TODAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 71 SET IN 1950.  

A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE WAS SET AT ST. LOUIS LAMBERT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT  
TODAY. THE AFTERNOON HIGH WAS 75 DEGREES AT 252 PM.  THE PREVIOUS RECORD WAS 74   
DEGREES SET IN 1982.  

A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 58 DEGREES WAS SET AT THE LARAMIE   
WYOMING AIPORT TODAY...DECEMBER 2ND. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF   
56 DEGREES...WHICH WAS SET IN 1959.  

A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 56 DEGREES WAS SET AT ABERDEEN SD   
TODAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 54 SET IN 1998.  
  
A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 67 DEGREES WAS SET AT PIERRE SD TODAY.   
THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 63 SET IN 1998.  
  
A RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE OF 60 DEGREES WAS SET AT SISSETON SD   
TODAY. THIS BREAKS THE OLD RECORD OF 59 SET IN 1941.  
5 PM Update: The map of U.S. daily high temperatures for December 1 from Unisys shows that, except for higher elevations, sub-freezing readings were limited to the immediate Canadian border and northern New England (click to enlarge).

Among the locations in Texas already reporting record temperatures for today are: Corpus Christi (tie), Victoria (tie), Waco (tie), Dallas, Amarillo.

Original post:
December (and meteorological winter) got off to a torrid start in the U.S. yesterday as 58 new high temperature records were set in the contiguous 48 states, vs. only 2 new low temperature records. National Climatic Data Center reports show that 36 high temperature records were set or tied at official National Weather Service (ASOS) reporting locations, mainly in Texas, but also in Arizona, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The preliminary list, from the NCDC (alphabetically by state):
Location                Record Previous/Date Period of record
AZ WINSLOW AP            71    70 12/1/2005   104
KS TOPEKA ASOS           69    67 12/1/1998    64
NE NORTH PLATTE RGNL AP  71    71 12/1/1994    63
NE SIDNEY MUNI AIRPORT   68    65 12/1/1951    44
NM CAVERN CITY AIRPORT   81    80 12/1/1932    72
NM ROSWELL IND AP        80    77 12/1/1995    65
NM ALBUQUERQUE INTL AP   66    66 12/1/1980    81
OK HOBART MUNI  AIRPORT  80    79 12/1/1950   102
OK TULSA INTL AP         77    77 12/1/1950    71
OK BARTLESVILLE MUNI AP  77    77 12/1/1950    87
OK OKLAHOMA CITY AP      77    76 12/1/1982    69
OK PONCA CITY MUNI AP    74    73 12/1/1998    66
TX CORPUS CHRISTI AP     87    83 12/1/2011    66
TX COTULLA LA SALLE AP   86    86 12/1/1978    59
TX CHILDRESS MUNI AP     86    81 12/1/1961    68
TX MINERAL WELLS AP      84    84 12/1/1950    62
TX CLG STN EASTERWD AP   84    81 12/1/1954    61
TX AUSTIN BERGSTROM      84    83 12/1/1954    39
TX VICTORIA ASOS         84    84 12/1/1954    57
TX WINK FAA AP           84    81 12/1/2007    70
TX FT WORTH MEACHAM FLD  83    83 12/1/1950    46
TX WICHITA FALLS MUNI AP 83    82 12/1/1950    88
TX WACO RGNL AP          83    81 12/1/1970    82
TX DAL-FTW WSCMO AP      83    83 12/1/1950    64
TX HOUSTON HOBBY AP      83    82 12/1/1970    71
TX HOUSTON BUSH INTL AP  83    82 12/1/1970    43
TX SAN ANGELO MATHIS     83    82 12/1/1950    65
TX AUSTIN-CAMP MABRY     83    82 12/1/1954    81
TX HONDO MUNI AP         81    81 12/1/1982    42
TX PALACIOS MUNI AP      81    80 12/1/1967    67
TX DALLAS FAA AP         81    81 12/1/1970    82
TX SAN ANTONIO INT'L AP  80    80 12/1/1954    65
TX MIDLAND INTL  AP      80    80 12/1/2007    64
TX LUBBOCK INTL AP       79    76 12/1/1995    98
TX LONGVIEW E TX RGNL AP 79    78 12/1/1982    39
TX EL PASO AP            75    74 12/1/1954    70 

Seasonal Outlook

Latest seasonal forecast: Click here.


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