Saturday, January 31, 2015

Winter Storm Linus: How Much Snow Has Fallen?

January 31,2015




 
Snow from Winter Storm Linus is beginning to spread into the Midwest, after already bringing snow to parts of the Southwest and Plains.
(FORECAST: Winter Storm Linus)
Snow fell on Friday in parts of New Mexico and Colorado and then spread into the central Plains on Saturday.
Winter storm warnings are in effect from Iowa through the Ohio Valley and into parts of southern New England.
Below are some select snow amounts that have been reported so far.

Colorado

- 5.5 inches in Coal Bank Pass
- 5 inches near Monarch Pass
- 4 inches near Durango

Kansas

- 2 inches near Beattie
- 1 inche in Dodge City

New Mexico

- 15 inches near Los Alamos
- 11 inches near Canon Plaza
- 9 inches in Lindrith
- 5 inches in Taos

Utah

- 5 inches in Cedar Point
- 2 inches in Blanding

Winter Storm Linus Live Updates As It Moves Through the Midwest into the Northeast

Nick Wiltgen
Published: January 31,2015




 
Another winter storm, Linus, will impact the Midwest on Sunday before moving into the Northeast on Monday. Live updates for Winter Storm Linus are below.
(MORE: Winter Storm Linus Forecast | Linus Impacts)
Tune in to The Weather Channel tonight from 8pm to midnight EST for Winter Storm Linus: A Special Report.

Furniture Retailer to Refund $2 Million to Customers if 3 Feet of Snow Falls on Chicago

Carolyn Williams
Published: January 31,2015




 

Thousands of Chicago homeowners could, and more than likely will, end up with a spectacular deal this Super Bowl Sunday if it snows: free furniture!
Art Van Furniture will issue a full refund for customers who shop on Saturday at its six Chicago locations, if, one condition is met. Linus must drop at least three inches of snow on Chicagoland between 12:01 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on Super Bowl Sunday, ABC Chicago says.
The deal is part of a winter promotion the furniture retailer devised, which promises a full refund for customers who purchase items on specific days, granted the snowfall condition is met, WGN-TV reported.
(MORE: Winter Storm Linus Forecast) 
Art Van Furniture owner Rick Cote’s prospect of the probable refund is not at all what you would expect. Cote told WGN, “Believe it or not, we’re excited about it. We want our customers to get free furniture!”
This isn’t the first time Art Van has run the “Let It Snow” promotion.  The retailer promised the same generous deal on New Year’s Day, the Chicago Tribune reported. Customers who took advantage of the promotion Jan.1 and Jan. 17 purchased around $2 million worth of merchandise, hoping for Super Bowl Snow, and the retailer expects to pay the full amount, said Art Van Director of Corporate Communications Diane Charles.

Weather Underground National Forecast for Saturday,January 31,2015

By: nationalsummary , 11:00PM,GMT on January 30,2015





Weather Underground Forecast for Saturday,January 31,2015

A trough of low pressure will slide across the Southwest and the southern Plains on Saturday, while a separate system will impact the Northeast.

An area of low pressure will move northeastward over the coast of New England. This system will strengthen over the western Atlantic, bringing moderate to heavy snow showers to eastern New England. The heaviest snow will develop across eastern Maine, where accumulations will approach one foot. Snow accumulations will range between 6.0 to 12.0 inches from eastern Massachusetts to eastern New Hampshire. In addition, scattered snow showers will linger over the northern Mid-Atlantic. The remainder of the Eastern Seaboard will experience calm weather conditions on Saturday.

Meanwhile, a trough of low pressure will slide across northern Mexico, the Southwest and the southern Plains. This system will draw moisture from the eastern Pacific, initiating widespread rain and snow across the Southwest, the Four Corners and the southern Plains. The heaviest precipitation will focus over Arizona and New Mexico. During the afternoon and evening, snow showers will spread eastward over the central and northern Plains, as well as the Midwest. Light to moderate rain is also expected across the southern Plains and the lower Mississippi Valley. A ridge of high pressure over the eastern Pacific will keep conditions relatively clear over northern California and the Pacific Northwest on Saturday.

This Date in Weather History for Super Bowl Sunday,February 1,2015 from weatherforyou.com

Weather History
For Sunday,February 1,2015
 
 
 
1893 - Thunder and lightning accompanied sleet and snow at Saint Louis MO during the evening hours, even though the temperature was just 13 degrees above zero. (The Weather Channel)
1951 - The greatest ice storm of record in the U.S. produced glaze up to four inches thick from Texas to Pennsylvania causing twenty-five deaths, 500 serious injuries, and 100 million dollars damage. Tennessee was hardest hit by the storm. Communications and utilities were interrupted for a week to ten days. (David Ludlum)
1951 - The temperature at Taylor Park Dam plunged to 60 degrees below zero, a record for the state of Colorado. (Sandra and TI Richard Sanders - 1987)
1985 - Snow, sleet and ice glazed southern Tennessee and northern sections of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The winter storm produced up to eleven inches of sleet and ice in Lauderdale County AL, one of the worst storms of record for the state. All streets in Florence AL were closed for the first time of record. (1st-2nd) (The Weather Channel)
1987 - A storm in the Pacific Northwest produced wind gusts to 100 mph at Cape Blanco OR, and up to six inches of rain in the northern coastal mountain ranges. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - Thirty cities in the eastern U.S. reported new record high temperatures for the date, including Richmond VA with a reading of 73 degrees. Thunderstorms in southern Louisiana deluged Basile with 12.34 inches of rain. Arctic cold gripped the north central U.S. Wolf Point MT reported a low of 32 degrees below zero. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989 - While arctic cold continued to invade the central U.S., fifty-four cities in the south central and eastern U.S. reported new record high temperatures for the date. Russell KS, the hot spot in the nation with a high of 84 degrees the previous day, reported a morning low of 12 above. Tioga ND reported a wind chill reading of 90 degrees below zero. (The National Weather Summary)
1990 - Thunderstorms associated with an upper level weather disturbance produced severe weather across the eastern half of Texas during the late afternoon and evening. Four persons were injured at Waco TX where thunderstorms produced wind gusts to 80 mph. Thunderstorms produced wind gusts to 97 mph at Cotulla TX injuring two other persons. Golf ball size hail was reported at Whitney and northeast of Whitsett. (The National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

This Date in Weather History for January 31,2015 from weatherforyou.com

Weather History
For Saturday,January 31,2015
 
 
 
1911 - Tamarack, CA, was without snow the first eight days of the month, but by the end of January had been buried under 390 inches of snow, a record monthly total for the U.S. (The Weather Channel)
1949 - The temperature at San Antonio, TX, plunged to a record low of one degree below zero. Helena MT reached 42 degrees below zero. (David Ludlum)
1966 - A blizzard struck the northeastern U.S. When the storm came to an end, twenty inches of snow covered the ground at Washington D.C. (David Ludlum)
1982 - A snowstorm struck Missouri, Illinois and Indiana. Twenty-five inches of snow at Greenville IL, located east of Saint Louis, paralyzed the community. The storm left 4000 motorists stranded for two days. (David Ludlum)
1987 - A storm in the Pacific Northwest produced wind gusts to 85 mph in Oregon, and nearly two inches of rain in twelve hours in the Puget Sound area of Washington State. Ten inches of snow at Stampede Pass WA brought their total snow cover to 84 inches. (National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988 - Thirty-one cities in the central and northeastern U.S. reported new record high temperatures for the date, with many occurring during the early morning hours. Temperatures in western New York State reached the 60s early in the day. Strong northerly winds in the north central U.S. produced wind chill readings as cold as 60 degrees below zero in North Dakota. (National Weather Summary)
1989 - The barometric pressure at Norway, AK, reached 31.85 inches (1078.4 mb) establishing an all-time record for the North American Continent. The temperature at the time of the record was about 46 degrees below zero (The Weather Channel). Severe arctic cold began to invade the north central U.S. The temperature at Great Falls MT plunged 85 degrees in 36 hours. Valentine NE plummeted from a record high of 70 degrees to zero in just nine hours. Northwest winds gusted to 86 mph at Lander WY, and wind chill readings of 80 degrees below zero were reported in Montana. Sixty-four cities in the central U.S. reported record highs for the date as readings reached the 60s in Michigan and the 80s in Kansas. (National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1990 - High winds in Montana on the 28th, gusting to 77 mph at Judith Gap, were followed by three days of snow. Heavy snow fell over northwest Montana, with up to 24 inches reported in the mountains. An avalanche covered the road near Essex with six feet of snow. Snow and high winds also plagued parts of the southwestern U.S. Winds gusted to 54 mph at Show Low AZ, and Flagstaff AZ was blanketed with eight inches of snow. (National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

Unusually High Number of Sea Lions Stranded in Calif.

January 31,2015; 8:00AM,EST
 
 
A record number of starved sea lion pups are washing ashore along the California coast.
Officials said on average 250 stranded pups need rescuing between January and April. Since Jan. 1, marine mammal rescue centers have taken in 150 animals.
Scientists believe warmer waters caused by El NiƱo might shift the sea lions' food supply and force pups to leave their malnourished mothers sooner than usual.
The high numbers of stranded sea lions have forced rescue centers to prepare for a high number of incoming animals.
Sea lions. (Credit: Flickr/Allie_Caufield)
"All of the [rescue and rehabilitation] facilities are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best," said Justin Viezbicke with the National Marine Fisheries Service and coordinator of the California Stranding Network. "They're getting staffing ready, looking at transferring animals if facilities are full, sharing staffing and resources, and getting everybody ready to respond."
Rescuers said many of the pups arrive weighing just more than their birth weight of 18 to 22 pounds. Many have parasites, respiratory infections, digestive issues or a strain of pox, said Todd Schmitt, SeaWorld's senior veterinarian (Deborah Sullivan Brennan, San Diego Union-Tribune, Jan. 27).
Reprinted from ClimateWire with permission from Environment & Energy Publishing, LLC. 202-628-6500.
E&E Publishing is the leading source for comprehensive, daily coverage of environmental and energy issues.
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Severe Weather Alerts - Dobbs Ferry, NY Winter Storm Warning Winter Storm Warning in effect from Sunday, 7:00 PM EST until Monday, 6:00 PM EST. Source: U.S. National Weather Service

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM SUNDAY TO 6 PM EST
MONDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NEW YORK HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR SNOW...SLEET...AND FREEZING RAIN...WHICH IS IN
EFFECT FROM 7 PM SUNDAY TO 6 PM EST MONDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH
IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW AND SLEET ACCUMULATION OF 5 TO 10
INCHES...ALONG WITH A TENTH TO A QUARTER OF AN INCH OF ICE.

* LOCATIONS...CENTRAL PORTIONS OF THE LOWER HUDSON
VALLEY...INTERIOR PORTIONS OF NORTHEASTERN NEW JERSEY...AND
MUCH OF SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT.

* HAZARD TYPES...HEAVY SNOW...SLEET...AND FREEZING RAIN.

* TIMING...SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE MID 20S.

* WINDS...NORTHEAST 10 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH.

* VISIBILITIES...ONE QUARTER MILE OR LESS AT TIMES.

* SNOWFALL RATES...OCCASIONALLY 1 TO 2 INCHES PER HOUR LATE
SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH EARLY MONDAY AFTERNOON.

* IMPACTS...HAZARDOUS TRAVEL DUE TO REDUCED VISIBILITIES AND
SIGNIFICANT SNOW...SLEET AND ICE ACCUMULATIONS.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...
AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

&&

NYC: Winter Storm to Hit Sunday Night, Groundhog Day

January 31, 2015; 6:00 PM ET
Cold air sweeping in this weekend will help pave the way for a storm with snow, ice and some rain Sunday night into Monday around New York City.

LIVE: Snowstorm Ramps up Across Midwest

By Mark Leberfinger, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer
January 31,2015; 9:57PM,EST
 
 
A wide-ranging snowstorm pushing across the central Plains to the Midwest will impact travel Saturday into Sunday before reaching the Northeast on Sunday.
Some airlines, including Delta and American Airlines, have already begun to issue travel waivers for affected regions. Travelers are being advised to check with their carrier for specific details.
"Snow will fall heavy at times along the I-80 corridor from Nebraska to Indiana tonight, including Chicago," AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Andy Mussoline said. "The storm will then spread snow into the Northeast later Sunday and Sunday night."

RELATED:
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Pre-Groundhog Day Snowstorm to Sweep From Chicago and Detroit to NYC, Boston



UPDATES (All times are listed in CST):
10:00 p.m. Saturday: 5.5 inches of snow have fallen in Wilber, Nebraska, NWS spotter reports.

9:47 p.m. Saturday: Travel ban for some commercial vehicles will take effect on the Ohio Turnpike from 8:00 a.m. Feb. 1, until 12:00 p.m. Feb. 2, 2015 due to winter storm.
9:35 p.m. Saturday: Snowy, icy conditions occurring in northern and central Indiana, INDOT reports.

9:27 p.m. Saturday: Dangerous snow conditions cause Iowa officials to begin issuing towing bans.
9:23 p.m. Saturday: Main shield of snow covers parts of nine Midwestern states.

9:20 p.m. Saturday: Travelers will encounter snowy conditions on most Nebraska highways, Nebraska 511 reports.

9:15 p.m. Saturday: Snowy travel along I-29 in St. Joseph, Missouri, MoDOT webcam shows.

9:11 p.m. Saturday: Snow and ice covers all roads in Iowa except for the extreme southeastern part of the state, Iowa Department of Transportation reports.
9:03 p.m. Saturday: Snowy and icy conditions are developing in northwest Illinois, Illinois Department of Transportation reports.

8:29 p.m. Saturday: Nearly 800 flight cancellations for Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Sunday, FlightStats reports. Light snow is falling at O'Hare at this time.
8:08 p.m. Saturday:
7:11 p.m. Saturday:
6:47 p.m. Saturday: "Motorists should be alert for slick roadways, take extra precautions when driving and consider traveling only if it is necessary," the Illinois Department of Transportation said in a news release.
6 p.m. Saturday: Airlines have begun to issue travel waivers for Chicago O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport.

 

The Most Memorable Weather Moments in the NFL

By Kristen Rodman, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer
January 31,2015; 9:55PM,EST
 
 
See larger image below.
In anticipation of the football game on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, we take a look at the most memorable weather moments in the NFL.
See below for a list of the top five unforgettable weather-influenced games in NFL history.
1. The Ice Bowl
Concluding with the third straight NFL Championship for the Green Bay Packers, this December 1967 championship game between the Packers and the Dallas Cowboys went down in history for its freezing conditions.
At the time of kickoff the temperature at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisc., was 13 F below zero and, by the end of the game, the wind chill in the stadium was 40 F below zero.
In this Dec. 31, 1967, file photo, players spill in all directions as a fumble occurs in the third period of the National Football League Championship game, known as "The Ice Bowl" between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, in Green Bay, Wisc. (AP Photo/File)
Nearly 51,000 fans braved the frigid wind but prolonged exposure to the cold cost one fan their life. During the game, the referees yelled out signals to prevent their metal whistles from freezing to their lips. By the end of the game, several players were treated for frostbite but the Packers came out on top earning the NFL title by beating the Cowboys 21-17.
2. The Freezer Bowl
As fans' beer froze in their cups, the 1982 AFC Championship game on Jan. 10, 1982, between the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Diego Chargers became known as the "Freezer Bowl" due to its low temperatures.
During the game the temperature in Cincinnati dropped to 9 F below zero as the wind gusted to over 50 mph. The wind chill factor at the game measured to 59 F below zero, putting this game in the history books as the game with the coldest wind chill ever recorded in the NFL.
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While more than 46,000 fans showed up for the start of the game, many left at halftime due to the extreme cold. The day's official high temperature plummeted to 4 F below zero, making this January day the sixth-coldest day in the city's history.
However, despite the wind and frigid cold the Bengals conquered the Chargers with a final score of 27-7.
3. The Fog Bowl
Despite clear blue skies as the game began, the second half of the Dec. 31, 1988 NFC Division Playoff game between the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles took a turn for the worst.
In this Dec. 31, 1988, file photo, lights shine through the fog during an NFL football playoff game between the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles in Chicago. (AP Photo/File)
Right before half-time dense fog from Lake Michigan encompassed Solider Field. Visibility was reduced from clear conditions to less than 20 yards and even the announcers and fans were unable to see the game.
The Bears proved victorious over the Eagles with a score of 20-12, but most of the points were scored in the first half with only six points total between the two teams scored during the second half.
4. The Sleet Bowl
While this Thanksgiving Day game went down in history for Leon Lett's fumble that cost the Dallas Cowboys the game victory against the Miami Dolphins, the game was also the first time ever that winter precipitation was recorded on Thanksgiving in Dallas.
A local cold front with strong winds and black and blue skies, also called a Blue Norther, brought cold temperatures and sleet to the Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas on game day in 1993.
In this Nov. 25, 1993, file photo, the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins meet on the icy field of Texas Stadium for an NFL football game on Thanksgiving Day in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Glenn James, File)
Sleet covered the field that day making it hard for players to keep their balance during the game, resulting in a low scoring game and the blunder that gave the Dolphins a win.
5. The Mud Bowl
The second-worst flash flood on record for Kansas City struck the city's metropolitan area on Oct. 4, 1998, right in time for the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Seattle Seahawks at Arrowhead Stadium.
Two separate rounds of thunderstorms brought heavy rainfall to the area causing excessive flash flooding throughout the city during the afternoon and evening hours.
The heavy rains delayed the start of the game by 54 minutes and, by the end of the day, approximately four inches of rain fell inside the stadium. Despite the damp conditions, the Chiefs defeated the Seahawks 17-6.
 

Pre-Groundhog Day Snowstorm to Sweep From Chicago and Detroit to NYC, Boston

By , AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist
January 31,2015; 9:53PM,EST
 
 
A snowstorm will sweep from the Midwest to the Northeast spanning this weekend into Groundhog Day and will cause major travel delays and disruptions to daily activities.
Close to 100 million people live within the swath forecast to be hit with accumulating snow or enough wintry mix to make for slippery roads from Saturday evening into Monday.
From 6-12 inches of snow is forecast to fall along a 1,200-mile west to east swath from Iowa to Massachusetts. Within this swath, some areas can receive close to a foot and a half of snow.
Two components of the storm will merge together along a boundary of cold air to the north and warm air to the south, over the Central states this weekend.
According to AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek, "The sooner and more aggressively this happens, the stronger the storm will be and the farther north it will track."
The strengthening storm will carry moisture in from the Pacific Ocean and grab more moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean along the way. The result will be a swath of heavy snow from part of the middle Mississippi Valley, to the northern part of the Ohio Valley states, the upper mid-Atlantic and southern New England.

The storm will begin as rain or a wintry mix in Iowa, Nebraska and the northern parts of Kansas, Missouri and Illinois, before changing to snow.
While the expectation of this warm/cold boundary has shifted northward over the past couple of days, Accuweather.com meteorologists have reached a consensus as to where the heaviest snow is likely to fall.

Motorists from the Midwest to the Northeast should expect slippery and dangerous conditions, while there is a possibility of a large number of flight delays and cancellations. Some of the crews and aircraft displaced during the storm may have a ripple effect across the country by early next week.
Storm to Hit Midwest Saturday Night Into Sunday
Enough snow to shovel and plow will fall in a zone of Central states' cities from Omaha, Nebraska, and Des Moines, Iowa, to Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland and Fort Wayne, Indiana. In this area from near the Mississippi River to the western slopes of the central Appalachians, a general 6 inches of snow is forecast with locally higher amounts, even if sleet mixes in at some locations.
In the Midwest, roads along the Interstate-80/90 corridor will become snow-covered as the storm moves eastward spanning Saturday night and Sunday. It is possible that road crews may not be able to keep up with the snowfall in this swath for a time.

During the latter part of the storm, there will be enough wind to cause some blowing and drifting of the snow that is on the ground.
Farther south along much of the I-70 corridor, a wintry mix is in store. Areas from Indianapolis to Pittsburgh, Columbus, Ohio, and Morgantown, West Virginia, will receive more than enough wintry mix to make for slippery roads.
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A change to snow at the end of the storm is what will make for the worst wintry travel around Kansas City, Missouri, and St. Louis and Cincinnati.
Storm to Reach Northeast Late Sunday into Monday
Farther east, cities from Scranton, Pennsylvania, and Binghamton, New York, to Hartford, Connecticut; Providence, Rhode Island, and Boston will receive significant snow Sunday night into Monday. Similar to areas farther west in the Midwest, enough snow to shovel and plow are forecast.
Some sleet and rain will mix in at coastal areas at the height of the storm and are likely to prevent an unmanageable snowfall in New York City. However, plunging temperatures in the wake of the storm will cause a freezeup of slush and standing water.
Travel throughout the I-80 corridor in Pennsylvania and New Jersey will become difficult, due to heavy snow and areas of sleet. Motorists should expect slippery and dangerous travel to develop along part of I-81, the Pennsylvania and Massachusetts turnpikes, New York's Southern Tier Expressway and Thruway, as well as I-84 in the Northeast.

"The heaviest snowfall with this will be between I-80 to the southern tier of New York, over to northern New Jersey, the lower Hudson Valley, and southernmost New England," Dombek said.
"A half a foot of snow is possible in this swath with the chance of local amounts into the double digits."
From near New York City to southern New England, there are still huge piles of snow left, in the wake of the snowfall from Monday's storm. Crews may want to make room for the new snowfall coming. Surging temperatures in New York City and in Long Island could cause urban flooding where storm drains are blocked with piles of snow.
Enough wind can occur on Monday to cause some blowing and drifting of the snow on the ground from parts of the central Appalachians to New England. Winds may get strong enough to cause rough seas and above-normal tides that can lead to coastal flooding in New England.
In parts of Long Island and southern New England, snow load on roofs may become an issue. This is mainly a concern where snow drifted on flat roofs during the Blizzard of 2015, creating an uneven depth and weight.
"From northern upstate New York state to northern New England, it will be plenty cold for snow, but the moisture will probably be lacking for a really big snowstorm," Dombek said.
If the storm was to turn more to the northeast soon after reaching the Atlantic Ocean, heavy snow could spread farther north in upstate New York and northern New England on Monday.

"Near and south of Mason-Dixon Line, some other form of precipitation [sleet and/or rain] is likely to greatly hold down snow accumulations," Dombek said.
Areas from Washington, D.C., and Baltimore to Philadelphia, Dover, Delaware, and Atlantic City, New Jersey, will receive enough warm air to bring a change to rain. However, enough snow or wintry mix will fall in these areas, before rain takes over to create slippery roads and bring flight delays.
Rain, Spotty Storms to Sweep Across South
In the South, periods of rain will develop and sweep eastward Sunday into Monday. A few thunderstorms may develop near the Gulf coast and along the southern Atlantic Seaboard.
Isolated pockets of heavy rain can lead to brief urban flooding problems and travel delays in the South.
As colder air sweeps in near the storm's conclusion, rain could end as a period of snow as far south as portions of western and middle Tennessee to the southern Appalachians Sunday night into Monday.
Since the storm will take a track through the mid-Atlantic states, no snow of significance is forecast across southern Virginia to areas in North Carolina away from the Appalachians.
The air will turn bitterly cold in the wake of the storm from the Midwest to the Northeast. Actual temperatures will dip to the single digits to near zero in the swath from Philadelphia to Boston by Tuesday morning. AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will dip well below zero from Washington, D.C., to Boston, northwestward to the lower Great Lakes.
 

Tropical Cyclone Strengthens Near Australia

By Adam Douty, Meteorologist
January 31,2015; 9:30PM,EST
 
 
Tropical Cyclone Ola developed on Saturday, local time, to the northwest of the island of New Caledonia, several hundred miles to the east of Queensland, Australia. Through the start of the new week with warm water and relatively light wind shear, further strengthening is expected.
Ola is expected to drift to the south or southwest through Sunday bringing bands of heavy rain and strong wind to New Caledonia. However, the center of the cyclone, along with the worst of the conditions, are expected to remain to the west of the island.
Despite this, 50-100 mm (2-4 inches) of rain and wind gusts near 80 kph (50 mph) are expected to pound the Island, especially western areas. Rough surf and dangerous rip currents will affect all coasts.

As Ola drifts to the south through the start of the week it is expected to move into an area of increased wind shear. This wind shear will work to stop any ongoing strengthening and will eventually weaken the cyclone.
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While the track of the system is still unclear during the middle of the coming week, with the wind shear expected to increase and weaken the system, the threat for significant impacts from the cyclone will greatly lessen.
With the significant weakening expected, the coast of eastern Australia is expected to remain free of significant impacts. However, beachgoers and boaters from northern New South Wales into southern Queensland should remain alert for rough surf and rip currents through the middle of the week.
With the exact track of the storm still unclear during the middle of the week, anyone with interests in the Coral Sea or along the coast should keep alert for updates.
 

Today's Worst Weather for January 31,2015 from accuweather.com

Shamrock,Texas: Rain

National Temperature and Rainfall Extremes for January 31,2015 from accuweather.com

As of 11PM,EST/8PM,PST



Daily U.S. Extremes

past 24 hours

  Extreme Location
High 80° Santa Rosa, CA
Low -21° Watertown, NY
Precip 1.16" Fort Riley, KS


Friday, January 30, 2015

New York City metro-area forecast for January 30-March 15,2015 from accuweather.com

Here's the 45-day weather forecast for the New York City metro-area for the period of the last 2 days of January, all of February, and the first half of March (January 30-March 15),2015 from accuweather.com





A Wind Chill Advisory remains in effect for the entire metro-area until 12PM,EST,January 31,2015






Tonight,January 30-31: Becoming partly cloudy,windy,and frigid,with a low temperature dropping to 10-15 degrees above zero,the blustery,biting,northwesterly winds,which could gust up to 45-mph,at times,making it feel brutally cold to dangerously frigid,like it's 10-15 degrees BELOW ZERO,at times,overnight.As of 2AM,EST,January 31,it's 16 degrees and clear,with 53% humidity,and a northwest wind at 28-mph,gusting to 38-mph,making it feel like it's -12 degrees (that's 12 degrees BELOW ZERO),in White Plains,NY,and it's 18 degrees and clear,with 47% humidity and a northwest wind at 18-mph,gusting to 36-mph,making it feel like it's -4 degrees (that's 4 degrees BELOW ZERO),in New York City.

Tomorrow,January 31: January of 2015 ends remaining windy,but turning much colder than recent days with plenty of sunshine and a high temperature in the lower and middle 20's,the blustery,biting, northwesterly winds,which could gust up to 30-mph,at times,making it feel bitterly cold to frigid,like it's only 5-10 degrees above zero,at times.

Tomorrow night,January 31-February 1: Not as harsh with patchy clouds and a low temperature dropping to around 20 degrees,the blustery,biting,westerly winds,which could gust up to 25-mph,at times,making it feel much colder,like it's only A FEW DEGREES ABOVE ZERO,at times,overnight.

Sunday,February 1: Super Bowl Sunday 2015 will be turning much warmer,with intervals of clouds and sunshine and a high temperature in the middle 30's.Becoming cloudy and wintry with snow possible,and a low temperature dropping to the upper teens to lower 20's,the blustery,biting, northeasterly winds,which could gust up to 20-mph,at times,making it feel like it's only A FEW DEGREES ABOVE ZERO,at times,overnight.Snow accumulations of 3-6 inches are possible.

Monday,February 2: Ground Hog's Day 2015 will be turning cloudy,wintry,windy,and quite cold with snow,heavy at times,and a high temperature of just 20-25 degrees,the blustery,biting,northerly winds, which could gust up to 25-mph,at times,making it feel bitterly cold to frigid,like it's only in the middle single digits above zero,at times.Additional snow accumulations of 3-6 inches are possible. Total snow accumulations of 6-12 inches are possible by evening.Turning out clear and bitterly cold to frigid with a low temperature dropping to the middle single digits above zero,northwesterly winds, which could gust past 20-mph,at times,making it feel brutally cold to dangerously frigid,like it's in the upper single digits to lower teens BELOW ZERO,at times,overnight.

Tuesday,February 3: Becoming mostly sunny,but remaining bitterly cold to frigid with a high temperature only in the upper teens to lower 20's.Becoming mainly clear,but remaining bitterly cold to frigid,with a low temperature dropping to the upper single digits to lower teens above zero, overnight.

Wednesday,February 4: Turning much warmer than recent days with times of clouds and sun and a high temperature of 35-40 degrees.Becoming cloudy and much warmer than recent nights with a low temperature dropping to the middle and upper 20's,overnight.

Thursday,February 5: Becoming cloudy and wintry,but remaining seasonably cold for mid-winter with afternoon snow possible and a high temperature in the middle 30's.Becoming mostly cloudy and much colder than recent nights with a chance for a couple of snow flurries and a low temperature dropping to 10-15 degrees above zero,the blustery,biting,northwesterly winds,which could gust up to 25-mph,at times,making it feel like it's ON EITHER SIDE OF ZERO DEGREES,at times,overnight.

Friday,February 6: Becoming mostly sunny and much colder,as it turns quite cold,once again,with a high temperature of just 20-25 degrees,the blustery,biting,northerly winds,which could gust up to 35-mph,at times,making it feel brutally cold,like it's only in the upper single digits to lower teens above zero,at times.Becoming clear and bitterly cold to frigid,with a low temperature dropping to the upper single digits to lower teens above zero,the blustery,biting,northwesterly winds,which could gust up to 25-mph,at times,making it feel brutally cold to frigid,like it's in the middle single digits BELOW ZERO,at times,overnight.

Saturday,February 7: Remaining bitterly cold,even for mid-winter and early February,with plenty of sunshine and a high temperature only in the middle 20's,the blustery,biting,northwesterly winds,which could gust up to 35-mph,at times,making it feel much colder,like it's only in the middle teens above zero,at times.Remaining bitterly cold to frigid,with increasing cloudiness and a low temperature dropping to the lower and middle teens above zero,the blustery,biting,northwesterly winds,which could gust up to 30-mph,at times,making it feel brutally cold,like it's ON EITHER SIDE OF ZERO DEGREES,at times,overnight.

Sunday,February 8: Becoming cloudy and milder than recent days with a high temperature only in the upper 20's to lower 30's.Remaining mostly cloudy,but turning warmer than recent nights with a low temperature dropping to the lower and middle 20's,overnight.

Monday,February 9: Not as harsh as recent days with some sun and a high temperature of 30-35 degrees.Remaining mostly cloudy and seasonably cold for mid-winter with a low temperature dropping to the middle 20's,once again,overnight.

Tuesday,February 10: Turning seasonably cold for mid-winter with clouds breaking for some sun and a high temperature of 35-40 degrees.Remaining partly cloudy and seasonably cold with a low temperature dropping to the middle and upper 20's,the blustery,biting,northerly winds,which could gust up to 20-mph,at times,making it feel much colder,like it's only in the middle and upper teens above zero,at times,overnight.

Wednesday,February 11: Not as mild,with abundant sunshine and a high temperature of 30-35 degrees.Remaining clear and rather mild for mid-winter,and early-to-mid February,with a low temperature holding around 30 degrees,the blustery,biting,northwesterly winds,which could gust past 20-mph,at times,making it feel much colder,like it's only in the upper teens to lower 20's above zero,at times,overnight.

Thursday,February 12: Not as cold,with brilliant sunshine,and a high temperature of 35-40 degrees.Becoming clear to partly cloudy and seasonably cold for early-to-mid February,with a low temperature dropping to the middle and upper 20's,overnight.

Friday,February 13: Becoming mostly cloudy,but remaining cold,with a high temperature in the middle and upper 30's.Becoming cloudy,wintry,and quite cold,with periods of snow and a low temperature dropping to 15-20 degrees,the blustery,biting,westerly winds,which could gust up to 25-mph,at times,making it feel even colder,like it's only 5-10 degrees above zero,at times,overnight.

Saturday,February 14: Valentine's Day 2015 will be remaining a bit cold for mid-February,with times of clouds and sun and a high temperature of just 30-35 degrees.Remaining partly cloudy and quite cold with a low temperature dropping to around 20 degrees,overnight.

Sunday,February 15: Remaining mostly cloudy and very cold for mid-February and mid-to-late winter with a high temperature of just 30-35 degrees,once again.Remaining mostly cloudy and unseasonably bitterly cold to frigid for mid-to-late winter with a low temperature dropping to the middle teens above zero,overnight.

Monday,February 16: President's Day 2015 will be turning cloudy and much warmer than recent days with a high temperature in the middle 40's.Not as cold as recent nights with clearing and a low temperature dropping to 20-25 degrees,the blustery,biting,southwesterly winds,which could gust up to 20-mph,at times,making it feel much colder,like it's only in the upper single digits to lower teens above zero,at times,overnight.

Tuesday,February 17: Turning much colder with increasing cloudiness and a high temperature only in the lower and middle 30's.Becoming cloudy,and wintry,but remaining very cold,with periods of snow and a low temperature dropping to 20-25 degrees,once again,overnight.

Wednesday,February 18: Remaining cloudy,but turning wintry with some morning freezing rain/ice followed by an afternoon wintry mix of rain and sleet and a high temperature only in the middle 30's,once again.Remaining cloudy,wintry,and very cold,with an evening wintry mix of snow,sleet, and freezing rain/ice followed by late-night snow and a low temperature dropping to around 20 degrees,the blustery,biting,northeasterly winds,which could gust up to 20-mph,at times,making it feel much colder,like it's only in the middle single digits above zero,at times,overnight.

Thursday,February 19: Remaining cloudy,wintry,and very cold,with more snow possible and a high temperature only in the lower and middle 30's.Becoming mainly clear,but remaining quite cold for late winter and late February,with a low temperature dropping to 15-20 degrees,overnight.

Friday,February 20: Remaining unseasonably cold for late February and late winter with ample sunshine and a high temperature only in the middle 30's,once again.Remaining quite cold for late winter with increasing cloudiness and a low temperature dropping to 15-20 degrees above zero,once again,overnight.

Saturday,February 21: Becoming mainly cloudy,but remaining very cold for very late February with a high temperature only in the middle and upper 30's.Remaining clear and cold with a low temperature dropping to around 20 degrees,overnight.

Sunday,February 22: Remaining rather cold for very late February and late winter,with brilliant sunshine and a high temperature only in the middle and upper 30's,once again.Becoming cloudy, wintry,and warmer than recent nights with considerable cloudiness and a bit of a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain/ice possible and a low temperature dropping to 25-30 degrees,overnight.

Monday,February 23: Remaining cloudy,rainy,wintry,and very cold for very late February and late winter with a touch of rain,with freezing rain/ice possible in the morning,and a high temperature and a high temperature,for the third straight day,in the middle and upper 30's.Becoming partly cloudy and seasonably cold for very late February,with a low temperature dropping to the middle 20's,the blustery,biting,northwesterly winds,which could gust up to 30-mph,at times,making it feel much colder,like it's only around 10 degrees above zero,at times,overnight.

Tuesday,February 24: Becoming partly sunny,but remaining very cold for very late February with a high temperature,for the fourth straight day,in the middle and upper 30's,the blustery,biting, northwesterly winds,which could gust up to 30-mph,at times,making it feel much colder,like it's only 25-30 degrees,at times.Remaining partly cloudy and seasonably cold for late winter with a low temperature dropping to 25-30 degrees,the blustery,biting,northwesterly winds,which could gust up to 25-mph,at times,making it feel much colder,like it's only 15-20 degrees above zero,at times, overnight.

Wednesday,February 25: Becoming cloudy,rainy,and much warmer than recent days with occasional rain possible and a high temperature of around 50 degrees.Remaining cloudy,but turning rainy, wintry,and much warmer than recent nights with a spotty rain or snow shower possible and a low temperature dropping to the middle 30's,the blustery,biting,southerly winds,which could gust past 30-mph,at times,making it feel much colder,like it's only in the upper teens to lower 20's above zero, at times,overnight.

Thursday,February 26: Remaining cloudy,rainy,and unseasonably mild for the end of February with occasional rain and a high temperature in the upper 40's to lower 50's.Remaining cloudy and rainy, but turning very windy with a chance for some evening rain followed by a late-night wintry mix of rain and sleet,heavy at times,and a low temperature dropping to the upper 20's to lower 30's,the blustery,biting,southerly winds,which could gust up to 40-mph,at times,making it feel markedly colder,like it's only in the upper single digits to lower teens above zero,at times,overnight.

Friday,February 27: Remaining cloudy,rainy,windy,and unseasonably mild for the end of February, with morning freezing rain/ice followed by a little rain at times,and a high temperature in the upper 40's to lower 50's,once again.Becoming partly cloudy and seasonably cold with a low temperature dropping to 25-30 degrees,the blustery,biting,westerly winds,which could gust past 35-mph,at times, making it feel much colder,like it's only in the lower and middle teens above zero,at times,overnight.

Saturday,February 28: Turning colder than recent days,with ample sunshine and a high temperature of 40-45 degrees.Remaining mainly clear and seasonably cold with a low temperature dropping to 30-35 degrees,overnight.

Sunday,March 1: March of 2015 comes in like a mild lamb as it turns unseasonably mild,once again, with intervals of clouds and sunshine and a high temperature of around 50 degrees.Remaining partly cloudy and rather mild for the end of winter with a low temperature dropping to 30-35 degrees,once again,overnight.

Monday,March 2: Remaining unseasonably mild,but turning mostly sunny with a high temperature in the upper 40's to lower 50's.Remaining rather mild with patchy clouds and a low temperature dropping to the lower and middle 30's,overnight.

Tuesday,March 3: Turning cloudy and rainy,but remaining unseasonably mild for the beginning of March and the end of winter,with periods of rain and a high temperature in the upper 40's to lower 50's,once again.Remaining cloudy,rainy,and seasonably cold for the beginning of March,with periods of rain and a low temperature dropping to the upper 20's to lower 30's,the blustery,biting, southwesterly winds,which could gust past 35-mph,at times,making it feel much colder,like it's only in the middle teens above zero,at times,overnight.

Wednesday,March 4: Not as mild with times of clouds and sun and a high temperature in the middle and upper 40's.Becoming cloudy,but remaining seasonably cold for the end of winter with a low temperature dropping to the upper 20's to lower 30's,once again,overnight.

Thursday,March 5: Turning mostly cloudy and colder than recent days with a high temperature of around 40 degrees.Becoming partly cloudy and seasonably cold for very early March and the end of winter,with a low temperature dropping to the upper 20's to lower 30's,the blustery,biting, northeasterly winds,which could gust up to 25-mph,at times,making it feel much colder,like it's only in the middle and upper teens above zero,at times,overnight.

Friday,March 6: Not as cold with a mix of sun and some clouds and a high temperature in the middle and upper 40's.Remaining mostly cloudy and cold,but not too terribly so for early March with a low temperature in the lower and middle 30's,overnight.

Saturday,March 7: Turning mostly cloudy,rainy,and mild with a chance for a rain shower and a high temperature in the upper 40's to lower 50's.Becoming mainly clear and colder than recent nights with a low temperature dropping to 25-30 degrees,the blustery,biting,northwesterly winds,which could gust up to 30-mph,at times,making it feel much colder,like it's only in the middle teens above zero,at times,overnight.

Sunday,March 8: Turning much colder than recent days with times of sun and clouds and a high temperature in the upper 30's to lower 40's.Turning cloudy,rainy,even wintry,windy,and seasonably cold with a spotty evening rain or snow shower followed by a late-night wintry mix of snow,sleet, and freezing rain/ice possible and a low temperature dropping to the upper 20's to lower 30's,the blustery,biting,northeasterly winds,which could gust up to 40-mph,at times,making it feel much colder,like it's only around 10 degrees above zero,at times,overnight.

Monday,March 9: Remaining cloudy,rainy,wintry,raw,and very cold for early March and the end of winter,with some morning freezing rain/ice followed by rain and a high temperature of around 40 degrees,the blustery,biting,northeasterly winds,which could gust up to 40-mph,at times,making it feel markedly colder,like it's only in the upper teens to lower 20's,at times.Remaining cloudy,windy,and wintry,with periods of a wintry mix of rain and sleet and a low temperature dropping to 25-30 degrees,the blustery,biting,northerly winds,which could gust past 35-mph,at times,making it feel much colder,like it's only 10-15 degrees above zero,at times,overnight.

Tuesday,March 10: Remaining mostly cloudy,wintry,and unseasonably cold for early March and the end of winter with snow showers possible and a high temperature of only around 40 degrees,once again.Becoming partly cloudy and colder than recent nights with a low temperature dropping to 20-25 degrees,the blustery,biting,northwesterly winds,which could gust past 35-mph,at times,making it feel much colder,like it's only 5-10 degrees above zero,at times,overnight.

Wednesday,March 11: Becoming mostly sunny,but remaining unseasonably cold for the end of winter with a high temperature,for the third straight day,of only around 40 degrees.Becoming partly cloudy, but remaining very cold for early-to-mid March with a low temperature dropping to the middle 20's,overnight.

Thursday,March 12: Turning a bit milder than recent days with intervals of clouds and sunshine and a chance for a spotty rain shower and a high temperature of 40-45 degrees.Remaining cloudy and rainy,early,with a chance for a little evening rain possible and a low temperature dropping to 25-30 degrees,overnight.

Friday,March 13: Remaining partly sunny and rather cold for early-to-mid March with a high temperature in the upper 30's to lower 40's.Becoming mainly clear and unseasonably very cold with a low temperature dropping to 20-25 degrees,the blustery,northwesterly winds,which could gust past 20-mph,at times,making it feel much colder,like it's only in the upper single digits to lower teens above zero,at times,overnight.

Saturday,March 14: Turning cloudy,and wintry,but remaining unseasonably cold for mid-March and the end of winter with periods of snow and a high temperature of around 40 degrees.Remaining cloudy,wintry,and very cold for mid-March with a bit of snow possible and a low temperature dropping to the lower and middle 20's,overnight.

Sunday,March 15: Remaining cloudy,wintry,and unseasonably cold for mid-March with periods of morning snow followed by a spotty afternoon rain or snow shower and a high temperature only in the upper 30's to lower 40's.Remaining cloudy and wintry,but not as cold as recent nights with a bit of snow possible and a low temperature dropping to 30-35 degrees,overnight.

Wind Chill Advisory Wind Chill Advisory in effect until 12:00 PM EST. Source: U.S. National Weather Service

NORTHERN WESTCHESTER:

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST
SATURDAY...

* LOCATIONS...THE LOWER HUDSON VALLEY...NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY
ROUGHLY NORTH OF INTERSTATE 80...AND MUCH OF SOUTHERN
CONNECTICUT.

* HAZARD TYPES...HAZARDOUS WIND CHILLS.

* WIND CHILLS...AS LOW AS AROUND 15 BELOW DUE TO TEMPERATURES IN
THE SINGLE DIGITS...AND NORTHWEST WINDS SUSTAINED AT 10 TO 20
MPH.

* TIMING...OVERNIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING.

* IMPACTS...FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT
TAKEN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS
WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS THAT COULD LEAD TO
FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. IF YOU
VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A WIND REPELLENT COAT...HAT
AND GLOVES.

&&

===================

SOUTHERN WESTCHESTER:

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON EST
SATURDAY...

* LOCATIONS...THE LOWER HUDSON VALLEY...NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY
ROUGHLY NORTH OF INTERSTATE 80...AND MUCH OF SOUTHERN
CONNECTICUT.

* HAZARD TYPES...HAZARDOUS WIND CHILLS.

* WIND CHILLS...AS LOW AS AROUND 15 BELOW DUE TO TEMPERATURES IN
THE SINGLE DIGITS...AND NORTHWEST WINDS SUSTAINED AT 10 TO 20
MPH.

* TIMING...OVERNIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING.

* IMPACTS...FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT
TAKEN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS
WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS THAT COULD LEAD TO
FROSTBITE AND HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. IF YOU
VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A WIND REPELLENT COAT...HAT
AND GLOVES.

February to Start Cold for Many

Jon Erdman
Published: January 30,2015




 
Both Winter Storm Kari and this storm system will pull down more cold air into the central and eastern U.S. through early next week.
On Friday, teens and 20s for highs will be the rule over the Great Lakes. By Saturday, teens and 20s will keep the Northeast shivering. A few single-digit highs can be expected in northern New England, thanks to any fresh snow cover from the first system, in additon to the refrigeration of the air mass from snow already on the ground.
Behind the second Arctic plunge, Sunday's highs may be stuck in the single digits and teens from North Dakota to Maine.
Groundhog Day may leave you longing for spring to be right around the corner, with teens, 20s and a few single-digit highs from the northern Plains to the Ohio Valley, Northeast and New England. Far northern New England may stay below zero all day Monday – that includes Burlington, Vermont, where there hasn't been a subzero high in February since 2003 (though they had three such days in January last year).
(MAPS: Ten-Day Forecast Highs/Lows)
In the extended range, colder than average temperatures are expected to persist into the second week of February in most areas east of the Mississippi River.



Winter Storm Linus: Schools, City Offices Close Early in New Mexico

Carolyn Williams
Published: January 30,2015




 
Hot on the heels of Winter Storms Juno and Kari, Winter Storm Linus is coming together in the Southwest and will move eastward over the next few days, forcing schools to close early Friday in New Mexico.
Adverse weather and road conditions contributed to the early closure of Santa Fe Public Schools Friday, KOAT-TV reports.
U.S. Route 84/285 was closed Friday in both directions by the New Mexico State Police, KOB-TV said. Snowy conditions contributed to the closure of the 599 interchange from Highway 14 to the 84/285 interchange, as well.
(Winter Storm Linus: Forecast) 
Early closures are being reported for City of Santa Fe offices, libraries, the municipal court and more, KOB noted.
The New Mexico Department of Transportation road crews were out treating roadways during snowfall Friday morning after difficult driving conditions were reported across the state, KOB reported. Crews plowed, salted and cindered snow-packed and icy roadways.
This is just the beginning of what meteorologists say will be a storm that stretches into the Midwest and even the East Coast by the weekend.
"Accumulating snow will be found from the I-70 corridor into the southern Great Lakes on Sunday with moderate snowfall accumulations possible from the Mid-Atlantic to southern New England through Monday," weather.com meteorologist Linda Lam says.
Stay with The Weather Channel and weather.com over the weekend for the latest updates on Winter Storm Linus.
MORE: Winter Storm Juno, Jan. 26-28, 2015

Brazil, California Face Specter of Worsening Drought

By: Bob Henson , 9:35PM,GMT on January 30,2015





January has not been kind to two parched corners of the Americas. A large chunk of California’s San Francisco Bay area is wrapping up the month with no measurable rainfall, a first for January since records began--all the way back to 1850 in the case of downtown San Francisco. This week’s U.S. Drought Monitor dataset shows 77.5% of California in the worst two categories of drought (extreme and exceptional), compared to 67.1% at this point last year. There is still hope that February, March, or even April could bring a few wet storms to salvage the rainy season across central and southern California, but for now the atmosphere appears locked in this year’s version of the Ridiculously Resilient Ridge that delivered severe drought and record heat to California in 2014. With virtually no chance of rain through Saturday, the January records below look certain to be broken (or tied, in the case of Redding).

Downtown San Francisco: no rain reported through 1/29 (record 0.06”, 2014)
Downtown Sacramento: 0.01” (record 0.07”, 2007)
Oakland Airport: trace (record 0.04”, 2014)
Monterey: 0.01” (record 0.04”, 2014)
San JosĆ©: 0.02” (record 0.10”, 1920)
Napa: trace (record 0.11”, 2014)
Redding: 0.26” (record 0.26”, 1984)
Stockton: 0.02 (record 0.14”, 1976)



Figure 1. Frank Gehrke, chief of the California Cooperative Snow Surveys Program for the Department of Water Resources, conducts the second snow survey of the season at Echo Summit, California, on Thursday, January 29. The survey showed the snowpack to to be 7.1 inches deep with a water content of 2.3 inches, which is just 12 percent of normal for the site at this time of year. Image credit: AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli.


California’s water year--defined as October 1 to September 30--got off to a reasonably promising start. According to NOAA, statewide precipitation was almost two inches above the average of 7.34” for the period October through December, thanks largely to a cluster of very wet storms in December. But those were also very warm storms that added to reservoirs and aquifers in the Central Valley but left the normally snow-clad slopes of the Sierra Nevada shockingly bare. The Sierra snowpack provides about a third of California’s water supply; it’s vital for keeping rivers and streams flowing into the summer, as well as for attracting tourists, skiers, and boarders in winter. On Thursday, the second California snow survey of the winter found 7.1” of snow and 2.3” of liquid in the snowpack at Echo Summit (see Figure 1). The liquid value was only 12 percent of the average for this time of year. As a whole, the northern Sierra snowpack is the lowest on record for January. One of the most stark symbols of the drought is the landscape around Lake Tahoe, where lower-elevation snow has been almost nonexistent. The average snowfall at South Lake Tahoe from October to January is 68.1”. As of January 29, the resort had received just 7.1”, with nothing measurable on the ground since January 2.

Water crisis looms in SĆ£o Paulo

The state of water supply is far more dire in the region around SĆ£o Paulo, Brazil, which is the most populous city in the Western Hemisphere and the third largest metropolitan area. The city’s 11 million residents, and the 20 million across the urbanized region, depend on a system of reservoirs that are perilously close to running completely dry in the midst of the region’s worst drought since at least 1930. Almost half of the SĆ£o Paulo metro area relies on the main reservoir system, Cantareira (see Figure 2), which has slumped to just 5.1% of capacity as of January 29, according to data available online from Sabesp, the local water utility. The crisis is affecting not only water access but power, since the region is highly dependent on hydroelectricity. Sporadic power cuts have been reported, and close to 100 cities have implemented some type of water rationing, affecting some 4 million people. There have also been reports of unofficial rationing in the SĆ£o Paulo area itself.


Figure 2. View of the bed of Jacarei River Dam, in Piracaia, during a drought affecting SĆ£o Paulo state, Brazil on November 19, 2014. The dam is part of the SĆ£o Paulo's Cantareira system of dams, which supplies water to 45% of the metropolitan region of SĆ£o Paulo and is now at a historic low. Image credit: Nelson Almeida/AFP/Getty Images.


Climatologically, rainfall is ample across this subtropical area, and unlike San Francisco, the SĆ£o Paulo region hasn’t been completely bone-dry this month. Weather Underground’s monthly summary page for SĆ£o Paulo's Conghonas International Airport Inter shows that showers and thunderstorms have dropped modest amounts of rain on the city on about half of all days this month, totaling 4.21.” However, this is far short of the average monthly total for January of 13.76" indicated at Conghonas for a period of record extending back at least to 1996. The latest rainfall forecasts for the region are not especially encouraging--the Friday Weather Underground forecast for Sao Paulo predicted near-average rains of about 2" for the coming week, and the Friday morning 12 UTC run of the GFS model predicted near-average rains of about 5" in the Sao Paulo region through mid-February.

Even assuming water can be found elsewhere in the region to help get the city through the immediate crisis, the impacts on power supply may continue to loom large. SĆ£o Paulo sits more than 40 miles inland and 2600 feet above sea level, making desalination an impractical option. The Center for Climate Change and Security notes the major risks presented by the current drought as well as other droughts that could develop across Brazil in the coming decade and beyond. Although the nation has made great strides in reducing deforestation over the last few years, the losses already incurred cut back on the ability of forests--especially those in the Amazon--to catch moisture and return it to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration. Many studies have shown potential links between the loss of Amazon rainforest and regional droughts, findings that were recently summarized by Antonio Donato Nobre (a senior researcher at the National Institute of Space Research and National Institute of Amazonian Research) in a widely discussed report, “The Future Climate of Amazonia.” No direct links have yet been made between the SĆ£o Paulo drought and deforestation. However, Nobre cautions: “Because most of the water that irrigates the bread-basket quadrangle of southern South America originates from the Amazon, the future climate of the continent may be considerably dryer. In a worst-case scenario, it would resemble present-day Australia: a vast desert interior fringed on one side by strips of wetter areas near the sea.”

We'll have another post on Monday and will keep an eye on the storm making its way across the Midwest this weekend, which could bring significant snow to New England early next week.

Bob Henson


Figure 3. When water becomes political: Members of the Homeless Workers Movement (MTST) take part in a protest in SĆ£o Paulo on September 25, 2014, against the rationing of water in neighborhoods on the city’s outskirts. The supply of water to many cities in the state of SĆ£o Paulo has been hampered by the worst drought since 1930. Image credit: Nelson Almeida/AFP/Getty Images.

Weather Underground National Forecast for Friday, January 30, 2015

By: nationalsummary , 11:00PM,GMT on January 29,2015





Weather Underground Forecast for Friday,January 30,2015

 



A complex weather pattern will set up over the Southwest on Friday, while an area of low pressure will slide across the Northeast.

A trough of low pressure will move across northern Mexico on Friday. This system will usher moderate to locally heavy rain over the Southwest and the Four Corners region, with the heaviest precipitation focusing over Arizona and New Mexico. High elevation snow showers will develop over Utah, Colorado and New Mexico, while mixed precipitation will affect the higher elevations of Arizona. In addition, lighter precipitation will spread across southern Nevada and southern California. Late evening rain will be possible over the central and southern Plains. High pressure over the eastern Pacific will keep weather conditions calm across northern California, the Pacific Northwest and the upper Intermountain West.

Meanwhile, temperatures are expected to drop across the northern Plains and the Mississippi Valley as an Arctic high pressure system sinks southward over the central third of the country.

Just to the east, an area of low pressure will bring another blast of winter weather to the Northeast and portions of the Mid-Atlantic. Winter storm warnings have been issued over Maine, where snow accumulations will approach one foot. Snow accumulations will stay below 6 inches across the majority of southern New England and the Mid-Atlantic. The Deep South and the Southeast will stay mostly clear of precipitation on Friday.

This Date in Weather History for January 30,2015 from weatherforyou.com

Weather History
For Friday,January 30,2015
 
 
 
1936 - Birmingham, AL, established a single storm record and 24 hour record with 11 inches of snow. (29th-30th) (David Ludlum) (The Weather Channel)
1977 - The great "Buffalo Blizzard" finally abated after three days. The storm added a foot of new snow to 33 inches already on the ground. Winds gusting to 75 mph reduced visibilities to near zero, produced snow drifts twenty-five feet high, and kept wind chill readings 50 degrees below zero. The blizzard paralyzed the city, and caused 250 million dollars damage. (David Ludlum)
1987 - A winter storm brought more heavy snow to the North Atlantic Coast Region, with 13.6 inches reported at Hiram ME. January proved to be the snowiest of record for much of Massachusetts. Worcester MA reported an all-time monthly record of 46.8 inches of snow. (National Weather Summary)
1988 - Strong southerly winds, gusting to 53 mph at Kansas City MO, spread warm air into the central U.S. Nineteen cities reported record high temperatures for the date. Snow and strong northwest winds ushered cold arctic air into the north central states. The temperature at Cutbank plunged from 54 degrees to a morning low of 7 degrees below zero. (National Weather Summary)
1989 - The temperature at McGrath, AK, dipped to 62 degrees below zero, and Fairbanks reported a reading of 51 degrees below zero, with unofficial readings in the area as cold as 75 degrees below zero. The massive dome of bitterly cold air began to slide down western Canada toward the north central U.S. Strong southwest winds ahead of the arctic front pushed the temperature at Great Falls MT to 62 degrees, and gusted to 124 mph at Choteau MT, overturning trucks and mobile homes, and a dozen empty railroad cars. (National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1990 - A major winter storm produced heavy snow from Indiana to New England. It was the biggest storm in two and a half years for eastern New York State. Snowfall totals in the mountains of Maine ranged up to 20 inches at Guilford and Lovell. Other heavy snowfall totals included 17 inches at Utica NY, and 19 inches at Bethel VT, Ludlow VT, and New London NH. The storm claimed three lives in eastern New York State, and four lives in Vermont. (National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
2005 - A significant ice storm struck parts of northern Georgia on the 30th-31st. Ice accretion was as great as 2 inches in Monroe county, located southeast of Atlanta. Power outages in the area at the height of the storm affected nearly 320,000 homes and businesses.

Stormy Weekend is in Store for Much of Europe

By , Senior Meteorologist
January 30,2015; 10:37PM,EST
 
A massive area of low pressure will continue to keep much of Europe in a stormy, unsettled pattern through this weekend.
The low pressure will be centered over Scandinavia, where it will deliver heavy snows. Strong winds will rotate around the storm, slamming areas from the UK through southern Europe, right into Turkey. Wind gusts in these locations will locally top 100kph.
Stockholm, Sweden will see between 12-20 cm (3-6 inches) of snow by Sunday morning. To the north of Stockholm, many places will see around 30 cm (12 inches) of snow, including Lulea, Sweden.

On the south side of the stormy pattern, a smaller low pressure system rotating around the main low will head east over the Mediterranean Sea and come onshore over the Balkan Peninsula and will cause some locally heavy rain, especially on the west side of the Carpathian and Balkan Mountain ranges. These areas will be subject to high winds gusting in excess of 100 kph.
Flash flooding and mudslides are a concern across this area. This danger will only heighten as the stormy pattern continues across southern Europe well into next week.
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Substantial snow in the higher mountains across southern Europe will complete this winter storm.
"Travelers will have difficulty getting through mountain regions and the high mountain passes," Sagliani added.
While a fresh 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 inches) will fall on the Alps (with the highest accumulations on the northern slopes), at least 30 cm (a foot) of snow is set to bury the highest peaks of the Pyrenees and the western Balkan Peninsula.
Meteoroloist Dave Samuhel contributed to the content of this story.
 
 

Weekly Wrap-Up: Snowstorm Costs NYC $200M; Blizzard Shatters Records in New England

By Kevin Byrne, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer
January 30,2015; 10:31PM,EST
 
 
The Blizzard of 2015 took aim at the Northeast Monday into Tuesday, bringing travel to a halt throughout the region, including major metropolitan areas, such as New York City and Boston.
Ahead of the storm, states of emergency were enacted in New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and parts of New York state, as government and law enforcement officials urged citizens to take caution and remain in their homes.
As New York City turned into a ghost town at the height of the storm, the shutdown had a notable financial impact, as an estimated $200 million in economic activity was lost, the Associated Press reported, citing a Moody's Analytics preliminary report. The biggest impact was felt largely among small business and hourly workers, according to the AP.
The robust storm brought record-setting snowfall totals to localized areas of New England, including Worcester, Massachusetts, which received 34.5 inches. Boston, which experienced blizzard conditions for nine hours on Tuesday, received over 2 feet of snow, ranking as the sixth heaviest snowstorm on record for the city. Much of Long Island to southern and eastern parts of New England received 12-24 inches.
The blizzard buried streets and cars in the Boston area Tuesday morning. (Photo/takumamusic)
Less snow fell along the I-95 corridor in the mid-Atlantic from Philadelphia to New York City. Nearly 10 inches fell in Central Park, with 11.4 inches at LaGuardia Airport. Philadelphia received 1-2 inches of snow.
"The storm was more compact than we thought it would get," AccuWeather.com Chief Meteorologist Elliot Abrams said. "As a result, the back edge of the heavy snow and strong winds were farther to the east."



Blizzard of 2015 Sets Record, Buries New England With Snow

Top Five Heaviest Overall Snow Totals

05101520253035Auburn, Mass.Worcester, Mass.North Billerica, Mass.West Boylestown, Mass.Nashua, N.H.36.0"34.5"34.0"33.5"33.2"
34.5"TheamountofsnowWorcester,Massachusetts,receivedtobreakanewrecordforthetown'slargestsnowstorm.24.6"TheamountofsnowBostonreceivedtomakethefirstblizzardof2015thecity'ssixthlargestsnowstorm.23.8"TheamountofsnowPortland,Maine,receivedoverthecourseofthestormtomarkasthefourthlargeststormtohitthecity.

Heaviest Snow Totals by State

05101520253035Auburn, Mass.Nashua, N.H.Sanford, MaineOrient, N.Y.Putnam, Conn.Burrillville, R.I.36.0"33.2"31.5"30.0"30.0"28.5"

 
 
 
Over the course of the two-day storm, more than 7,500 flights were canceled in the U.S., with the majority due to the snowstorm, according to FlightStats. To ease travelers' burdens, major airlines waived change fees for those scheduled to fly into the Northeast.
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View image on Twitter
Even better one from my uncle in Worcester, MA! His car is under there! @breakingweather


This remarkable time-lapse video captured several feet of snow building up on one Massachusetts resident's deck over the course of 24 hours.
 
Flooding and property damage was reported along parts of coastal Massachusetts. Police in Marshfield, Massachusetts, about 30 miles southeast of Boston, reported a major seawall breach on Tuesday morning.
High tide in Marshfield, Mass., caused structural damage to a local home Tuesday morning. (Photo/Marshfield Police Department)
Several AccuWeather.com meteorologists and staff writers contributed to this article.