Today will be a heavy travel day as folks head back home after Christmas...some important travel forecasts for this Sunday...
I-65 North...Nice weather all the way to Gary, Indiana.
I-65 South...There might be some light icing remaining during the early morning between Montgomery and Mobile, but things should warm quickly and any problem will be temporary.
I-59 North...Clear weather all the way to Chattanooga, the I-64 to Nashville is clear, and I-75 is clear to Knoxville
I-59 South...Clear all the way to New Orleans
I-20 West...Clear all the way to West Texas
I-20 East...Good until east of Atlanta. By Augusta, significant problems with over two inches of snow on the ground and more falling.
I-85 Northeast of Atlanta...looks okay. Most of the precipitation will be southeast of this corridor.
Flight hubs...
Atlanta...should be ok
Dallas...fine
Memphis...fine
Charlotte...some sleet, snow, and light freezing rain. Some problems could occur.
Washington DC/Baltimore...snow by afternoon
Cincinnati...no problems
Travel Weather
December 25, 2004, 11:25 pm
by Bill Murray
in General Thoughts
Updated Video Discussion
December 25, 2004, 7:10 pm
With the interesting weather underway went ahead and did a special video update that should be posted in 10 minutes or so. Rendering it now.
Guess this one is really another one of those for the book with snow possible from Montgomery south and southeast. Auburn to Eufaula could see an inch or two of snow while Birmingham is flake free! And to add insult to injury, the pattern appears to be headed for a major change taking us out of the cold and bringing back above normal temperatures for this time of year.
Well, winter is too new to give up - Think Snow!! Merry Christmas!
-Brian-
Guess this one is really another one of those for the book with snow possible from Montgomery south and southeast. Auburn to Eufaula could see an inch or two of snow while Birmingham is flake free! And to add insult to injury, the pattern appears to be headed for a major change taking us out of the cold and bringing back above normal temperatures for this time of year.
Well, winter is too new to give up - Think Snow!! Merry Christmas!
-Brian-
by Brian Peters
in General Thoughts
Gulf Coast Wintry Weather
December 25, 2004, 11:41 am
We called it earlier!
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
1018 AM CST SAT DEC 25 2004
ALZ052-061-063-MSZ075-076-078-079-252230-
GEORGE MS-GREENE MS-LOWER MOBILE AL-PERRY MS-STONE MS-
UPPER MOBILE AL-WASHINGTON AL-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CHATOM...DAUPHIN ISLAND...
DOWNTOWN MOBILE...LEAKESVILLE...LUCEDALE...NEW AUGUSTA AND WIGGINS 1018 AM CST SAT DEC 25 2004
...SLEET ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 430 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE HAS ISSUED A SLEET ADVISORY FOR PERRY...GREENE...STONE AND GEORGE COUNTIES OF SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI...AND WASHINGTON AND MOBILE COUNTIES OF SOUTHWEST ALABAMA UNTIL 430 PM THIS AFTERNOON.
REPORTS OF MODERATE SLEET HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM SPOTTERS ACROSS STONE COUNTY. THE SLEET WILL LIKELY ACCUMULATE ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES...MAKING TRAVEL DANGEROUS THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. TRAVEL IN THE ADVISED AREAS IS DISCOURAGED UNLESS IT IS AN EMERGENCY.
A SLEET ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED...RESULTING IN HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. REMEMBER...THE MAIN ACCUMULATION THREAT WILL BE ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES...SO SLOW DOWN AND DRIVE WITH EXTREME CAUTION OVER THESE AREAS.
STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO AND OTHER LOCAL MEDIA FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES.
Mobile was up to 36 degrees at 10 a.m.
A wintry mix is possible tonight over Southeast Alabama from Montgomery to the south. Given the extensive accumulations in Texas, the prospect of some icy conditions can't be ruled out.
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MOBILE AL
1018 AM CST SAT DEC 25 2004
ALZ052-061-063-MSZ075-076-078-079-252230-
GEORGE MS-GREENE MS-LOWER MOBILE AL-PERRY MS-STONE MS-
UPPER MOBILE AL-WASHINGTON AL-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...CHATOM...DAUPHIN ISLAND...
DOWNTOWN MOBILE...LEAKESVILLE...LUCEDALE...NEW AUGUSTA AND WIGGINS 1018 AM CST SAT DEC 25 2004
...SLEET ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 430 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MOBILE HAS ISSUED A SLEET ADVISORY FOR PERRY...GREENE...STONE AND GEORGE COUNTIES OF SOUTHEAST MISSISSIPPI...AND WASHINGTON AND MOBILE COUNTIES OF SOUTHWEST ALABAMA UNTIL 430 PM THIS AFTERNOON.
REPORTS OF MODERATE SLEET HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM SPOTTERS ACROSS STONE COUNTY. THE SLEET WILL LIKELY ACCUMULATE ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES...MAKING TRAVEL DANGEROUS THROUGH THE AFTERNOON. TRAVEL IN THE ADVISED AREAS IS DISCOURAGED UNLESS IT IS AN EMERGENCY.
A SLEET ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS ARE EXPECTED...RESULTING IN HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. REMEMBER...THE MAIN ACCUMULATION THREAT WILL BE ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES...SO SLOW DOWN AND DRIVE WITH EXTREME CAUTION OVER THESE AREAS.
STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO AND OTHER LOCAL MEDIA FOR FURTHER DETAILS OR UPDATES.
Mobile was up to 36 degrees at 10 a.m.
A wintry mix is possible tonight over Southeast Alabama from Montgomery to the south. Given the extensive accumulations in Texas, the prospect of some icy conditions can't be ruled out.
by Bill Murray
in General Thoughts
More Wintry Weather Reports from the Gulf Coast
December 25, 2004, 9:35 am
A winter weather advisory is in effect for the Mississippi coastal counties this morning as a wintry mix of light precipitation moves along the Gulf Coast. At 8 am, it was 32 at Gulfport with a light mix of precipitation.
No advisories are in effect for the southwestern coutnies of Alabama. Some heavier precipitation was moving across Baldwin County at 825 am. The higher reflectivities could indicate a little sleet mixed in with the rain. At Pensacola, it was 34 degrees with light rain. Temperatures all along the Florida coast were above freezing and dewpoints were already near freezing, eliminating the possibility of evaporative cooling.
At Mobile, the temperature/dew point was 32/22, leading to the possibility of some slight cooling if the precipitation shield edges a little further inland. But some slight warming during the day means that most of the precipitation will switch over to a cold rain during the late morning hours.
No advisories are in effect for the southwestern coutnies of Alabama. Some heavier precipitation was moving across Baldwin County at 825 am. The higher reflectivities could indicate a little sleet mixed in with the rain. At Pensacola, it was 34 degrees with light rain. Temperatures all along the Florida coast were above freezing and dewpoints were already near freezing, eliminating the possibility of evaporative cooling.
At Mobile, the temperature/dew point was 32/22, leading to the possibility of some slight cooling if the precipitation shield edges a little further inland. But some slight warming during the day means that most of the precipitation will switch over to a cold rain during the late morning hours.
by Bill Murray
in General Thoughts
More White Christmas Reports
December 25, 2004, 8:10 am
Fromt the NWS Corpus Christi in a 406 am Winter Weather Statement...
THIS HISTORIC CHRISTMAS WINTER STORM FOR SOUTH TEXAS HAS PRODUCED SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL AMOUNTS ACROSS THE REGION. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO 12 INCHES HAVE OCCURRED FROM
FROM TILDEN AND SAN DIEGO NORTHEAST TO VICTORIA WHILE 3 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW HAVE FALLEN OVER THE COASTAL BEND.
ALL ROADWAYS ARE SNOW AND ICE COVERED ACROSS THE REGION.
SEVERAL ROADS ARE CLOSED ACROSS THE AREA. LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS REPORTED MANY ACCIDENTS ACROSS THE REGION. TRAVEL ACROSS THE COASTAL BEND AND RIO GRANDE PLAINS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS MORNING IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED. ONCE THE SUN APPEARS AS THE CLOUDS DIMINISH LATER THIS ORNING...THE ROADWAYS WILL SLOWLY IMPROVE AS INSOLATION HEATS THE ROAD SURFACES.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the Texas Coastal Bend area.
From the NWS Houston at 446am...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LEAGUE CITY HAS EXTENDED THE WINTER WEATHER WARNING FOR AREAS MAINLY SOUTH OF AN EDNA TO BAY CITY TO TEXAS CITY TO WINNIE LINE THROUGH 8 AM CHRISTMAS MORNING.
A STRONG UPPER LEVEL LOW OVER THE COASTAL BEND AREA WILL TRACK EAST-NORTHEAST INTO THE NORTHWEST GULF THIS MORNING. AS THIS FEATURE MOVES EAST THE SNOW SHOULD COME TO AN END. THE TEMPERATURES AT OR JUST BELOW FREEZING SHOULD BEGIN TO SLOWLY RISE AND END THE THREAT OF SNOW ACCUMULATING...THOUGH FLURRIES MAY CONTINUE THROUGH 9 OR 10 AM. WITH THE TEMPERATURES HOVERING AROUND FREEZING THE POSSIBILITY OF ICE ON ELEVATED ROADWAYS EXISTS AND MOTORISTS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ICY CONDITIONS. ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 OR LESS OF SNOW MAY BE
POSSIBLE IN SOUTHERN JACKSON...MATAGORDA AND SOUTHERN BRAZORIA COUNTIES.
This Winter Weather Warning is something new for me...it doesn't even show up on the NWS Watch/Warning/Advisory Map. Guess it makes sense though.
From the NWS Austin/San Antonio...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO, TX HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
SNOW FLURRIES WILL END OVER THE AREA BETWEEN 5 AND 7 AM CST.
SNOW AND ICE ACCUMULATIONS WILL REMAIN FOR SEVERAL HOURS THIS MORNING...MAKING FOR HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS...OVER PARTS OF WILSON...GONZALES...LAVACA...DEWITT...KARNES AND ATASCOSA
COUNTIES.
EARLIER MEASURABLE SNOWFALL FELL ACROSS THESE COUNTIES.
SOME AMOUNTS WERE FROM NEAR 1 TO 4 INCHES. THIS WILL REMAIN ON THE GROUND THROUGH THE EARLY MORNING HOURS...WITH TEMPERATURES NEAR AND BELOW FREEZING.
And in Louisiana...from the NWS Lake Charles...
A STRONG UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE ACROSS THE NORTHERN GULF TODAY. MOISTURE FROM THIS SYSTEM WILL OVER-RIDE VERY COLD AIR AT THE SURFACE. THIS WILL CAUSE OCCASIONAL SLEET MIXED WITH LIGHT SNOW... FREEZING RAIN OR RAIN TO MOVE FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO INTO ACADIANA THIS CHRISTMAS MORNING. WHERE TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING...
ADDITIONAL SNOW AND SLEET ACCUMULATION WILL BE UP TO 1 INCH. ICE ACCUMULATION DUE TO MELTING SLEET OR FREEZING RAIN IS EXPECTED TO BE LESS THAN 1/4 OF AN INCH.
MOST OF THE ICING WILL OCCUR ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES. THE
LOUISIANA STATE POLICE TROOP I AND THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REPORT SOME BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES BEING CLOSED DUE TO ICING IN PORTIONS OF SOUTH LAFAYETTE ...NORTHERN VERMILION...WEST IBERIA AND
SAINT MARY PARISHES.
And in Southeast Louisiana...from NWS New Orleans...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NEW ORLEANS HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR A LARGE PORTION OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA.
COLD ARCTIC AIR IS IN PLACE ACROSS THE REGION THIS MORNING AS A DEEP
SURFACE LOW DEVELOPS IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO. THIS LOW WILL BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING MOISTURE BACK OVER THE COLD DOME OF AIR NEAR
AT THE SURFACE RESULTING IN A WINTRY MIXTURE OF RAIN...FREEZING
RAIN...SLEET AND SNOW.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADARS ALONG THE TEXAS AND LOUISIANA COAST CONTINUE TO INDICATE LARGE AREAS OF RAIN MIXED WITH SLEET NEAR THE COAST CHANGING TO SLEET MIXED WITH SNOW INLAND. ACCUMULATIONS UP TO A HALF INCH OF SLEET AND SNOW ARE EXPECTED WITH LOCALIZED AREAS UP TO ONE INCH POSSIBLE.
MODERATE SLEET MIXED WITH SOME RAIN WILL CONTINUE THIS
MORNING...EVENTUALLY CHANGING TO SLEET MIXED WITH SNOW AROUND DAYBREAK OR SHORTLY AFTER.
GENERAL ROAD CONDITIONS ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE INPACTED...BUT OVERPASSES AND BRIDGES MAY SEE SOME LIGHT ICEING CONDITIONS DURING THE MORNING HOURS AS TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO BE VERY CLOSE TO FREEZING. HAZARDOUS TRAVELING CONDITIONS OVER ELEVATED ROADWAYS MAY EXIST TODAY AND EXTREME CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN TRAVELING.
Further east...interesting developments for southern Mississippi and Southwest Alabama....the SPC has issued a Winter Mesoscale Discussion this morning that indicates freezing rain may become a problem later this morning over those areas. We will monitor this breaking weather situation.
And even further east, as the low crosses Florida tonight and gets ready to swing upthe East Coast...a Winter Storm Watch has been issued for tonight and Sunday over a large part of the Carolinas and Georgia for up to two inches of snow in inland areas and a 1/10 to 2/10 inch of accumulation of ice/sleet/snow over coastal counties...
THIS HISTORIC CHRISTMAS WINTER STORM FOR SOUTH TEXAS HAS PRODUCED SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL AMOUNTS ACROSS THE REGION. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO 12 INCHES HAVE OCCURRED FROM
FROM TILDEN AND SAN DIEGO NORTHEAST TO VICTORIA WHILE 3 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW HAVE FALLEN OVER THE COASTAL BEND.
ALL ROADWAYS ARE SNOW AND ICE COVERED ACROSS THE REGION.
SEVERAL ROADS ARE CLOSED ACROSS THE AREA. LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS REPORTED MANY ACCIDENTS ACROSS THE REGION. TRAVEL ACROSS THE COASTAL BEND AND RIO GRANDE PLAINS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS MORNING IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED. ONCE THE SUN APPEARS AS THE CLOUDS DIMINISH LATER THIS ORNING...THE ROADWAYS WILL SLOWLY IMPROVE AS INSOLATION HEATS THE ROAD SURFACES.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the Texas Coastal Bend area.
From the NWS Houston at 446am...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LEAGUE CITY HAS EXTENDED THE WINTER WEATHER WARNING FOR AREAS MAINLY SOUTH OF AN EDNA TO BAY CITY TO TEXAS CITY TO WINNIE LINE THROUGH 8 AM CHRISTMAS MORNING.
A STRONG UPPER LEVEL LOW OVER THE COASTAL BEND AREA WILL TRACK EAST-NORTHEAST INTO THE NORTHWEST GULF THIS MORNING. AS THIS FEATURE MOVES EAST THE SNOW SHOULD COME TO AN END. THE TEMPERATURES AT OR JUST BELOW FREEZING SHOULD BEGIN TO SLOWLY RISE AND END THE THREAT OF SNOW ACCUMULATING...THOUGH FLURRIES MAY CONTINUE THROUGH 9 OR 10 AM. WITH THE TEMPERATURES HOVERING AROUND FREEZING THE POSSIBILITY OF ICE ON ELEVATED ROADWAYS EXISTS AND MOTORISTS SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ICY CONDITIONS. ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 OR LESS OF SNOW MAY BE
POSSIBLE IN SOUTHERN JACKSON...MATAGORDA AND SOUTHERN BRAZORIA COUNTIES.
This Winter Weather Warning is something new for me...it doesn't even show up on the NWS Watch/Warning/Advisory Map. Guess it makes sense though.
From the NWS Austin/San Antonio...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO, TX HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY.
SNOW FLURRIES WILL END OVER THE AREA BETWEEN 5 AND 7 AM CST.
SNOW AND ICE ACCUMULATIONS WILL REMAIN FOR SEVERAL HOURS THIS MORNING...MAKING FOR HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS...OVER PARTS OF WILSON...GONZALES...LAVACA...DEWITT...KARNES AND ATASCOSA
COUNTIES.
EARLIER MEASURABLE SNOWFALL FELL ACROSS THESE COUNTIES.
SOME AMOUNTS WERE FROM NEAR 1 TO 4 INCHES. THIS WILL REMAIN ON THE GROUND THROUGH THE EARLY MORNING HOURS...WITH TEMPERATURES NEAR AND BELOW FREEZING.
And in Louisiana...from the NWS Lake Charles...
A STRONG UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL MOVE ACROSS THE NORTHERN GULF TODAY. MOISTURE FROM THIS SYSTEM WILL OVER-RIDE VERY COLD AIR AT THE SURFACE. THIS WILL CAUSE OCCASIONAL SLEET MIXED WITH LIGHT SNOW... FREEZING RAIN OR RAIN TO MOVE FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO INTO ACADIANA THIS CHRISTMAS MORNING. WHERE TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW FREEZING...
ADDITIONAL SNOW AND SLEET ACCUMULATION WILL BE UP TO 1 INCH. ICE ACCUMULATION DUE TO MELTING SLEET OR FREEZING RAIN IS EXPECTED TO BE LESS THAN 1/4 OF AN INCH.
MOST OF THE ICING WILL OCCUR ON BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES. THE
LOUISIANA STATE POLICE TROOP I AND THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION REPORT SOME BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES BEING CLOSED DUE TO ICING IN PORTIONS OF SOUTH LAFAYETTE ...NORTHERN VERMILION...WEST IBERIA AND
SAINT MARY PARISHES.
And in Southeast Louisiana...from NWS New Orleans...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM CST THIS AFTERNOON...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NEW ORLEANS HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR A LARGE PORTION OF SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA.
COLD ARCTIC AIR IS IN PLACE ACROSS THE REGION THIS MORNING AS A DEEP
SURFACE LOW DEVELOPS IN THE CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO. THIS LOW WILL BE
RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING MOISTURE BACK OVER THE COLD DOME OF AIR NEAR
AT THE SURFACE RESULTING IN A WINTRY MIXTURE OF RAIN...FREEZING
RAIN...SLEET AND SNOW.
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RADARS ALONG THE TEXAS AND LOUISIANA COAST CONTINUE TO INDICATE LARGE AREAS OF RAIN MIXED WITH SLEET NEAR THE COAST CHANGING TO SLEET MIXED WITH SNOW INLAND. ACCUMULATIONS UP TO A HALF INCH OF SLEET AND SNOW ARE EXPECTED WITH LOCALIZED AREAS UP TO ONE INCH POSSIBLE.
MODERATE SLEET MIXED WITH SOME RAIN WILL CONTINUE THIS
MORNING...EVENTUALLY CHANGING TO SLEET MIXED WITH SNOW AROUND DAYBREAK OR SHORTLY AFTER.
GENERAL ROAD CONDITIONS ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE INPACTED...BUT OVERPASSES AND BRIDGES MAY SEE SOME LIGHT ICEING CONDITIONS DURING THE MORNING HOURS AS TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO BE VERY CLOSE TO FREEZING. HAZARDOUS TRAVELING CONDITIONS OVER ELEVATED ROADWAYS MAY EXIST TODAY AND EXTREME CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN TRAVELING.
Further east...interesting developments for southern Mississippi and Southwest Alabama....the SPC has issued a Winter Mesoscale Discussion this morning that indicates freezing rain may become a problem later this morning over those areas. We will monitor this breaking weather situation.
And even further east, as the low crosses Florida tonight and gets ready to swing upthe East Coast...a Winter Storm Watch has been issued for tonight and Sunday over a large part of the Carolinas and Georgia for up to two inches of snow in inland areas and a 1/10 to 2/10 inch of accumulation of ice/sleet/snow over coastal counties...
by Bill Murray
in General Thoughts
Gulf Coast Wintry Weather
December 25, 2004, 3:00 am
It is an amazing scene early this morning across the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana as light to moderate snow continues to fall. At 1 a.m. snow was being reported in the Houston/Galveston area. Snow was reported along the Texas coast as far south as Brownsville and McAllen. Moderate snow was reported at Port Isabel.
An amazing 6-10 inches of snow had fallen from Beeville to Goliad to Victoria, which is northwest of Corpus Christi. Three to five inches had fallen across coastal areas around Corpus. Three to five inch amounts were common west of Brownsville, with one inch amounts along the coast there.
Winter storm warnings are in effect for most of deep South Texas. Winter weather advisories extend along the coastal sections through Houson and into Southwest Louisiana.
A lot of lightning was identified in the Gulf about 100 miles offshore from Brownsville to Houston, indicating the strength of the intensifying low.
The heaviest snow on radar was moving into Cameron Parish, of Southwest Louisiana. Further east, radar returns were showing up over coastal sections of the state, but some of the precipitation was not yet reaching the ground. The precipitation was moistening the lower levels of the atmosphere and serving to cool the temperature through evaporative cooling. The combination of these two effects will allow snow, sleet and freezing rain to start reaching the ground in areas south of I-10.
If we can't have a White Christmas here in Alabama, we will live vicariously through the reports from Texas and Louisiana.
Merry Christmas everyone!
An amazing 6-10 inches of snow had fallen from Beeville to Goliad to Victoria, which is northwest of Corpus Christi. Three to five inches had fallen across coastal areas around Corpus. Three to five inch amounts were common west of Brownsville, with one inch amounts along the coast there.
Winter storm warnings are in effect for most of deep South Texas. Winter weather advisories extend along the coastal sections through Houson and into Southwest Louisiana.
A lot of lightning was identified in the Gulf about 100 miles offshore from Brownsville to Houston, indicating the strength of the intensifying low.
The heaviest snow on radar was moving into Cameron Parish, of Southwest Louisiana. Further east, radar returns were showing up over coastal sections of the state, but some of the precipitation was not yet reaching the ground. The precipitation was moistening the lower levels of the atmosphere and serving to cool the temperature through evaporative cooling. The combination of these two effects will allow snow, sleet and freezing rain to start reaching the ground in areas south of I-10.
If we can't have a White Christmas here in Alabama, we will live vicariously through the reports from Texas and Louisiana.
Merry Christmas everyone!
by Bill Murray
in General Thoughts
More Texas Snow Reports
December 25, 2004, 1:41 am
Some reports from the NWS Houston at 1145pm...
RECENT REPORTS OF SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ACROSS SOUTHEAST TEXAS SO FAR TONIGHT INCLUDE 1/2 INCH IN PASADENA...1.3 INCHES AT THE NWS OFFICE IN LEAGUE CITY...1.6 INCHES AT JAMAICA BEACH AND CLOSE TO 5 INCHES AT BAY CITY.
TRAVEL HAS BECOME QUITE TREACHEROUS AND IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED. MANY ROADWAYS...BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES WILL ICE OVER AND THEREFORE CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS.
RECENT REPORTS OF SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ACROSS SOUTHEAST TEXAS SO FAR TONIGHT INCLUDE 1/2 INCH IN PASADENA...1.3 INCHES AT THE NWS OFFICE IN LEAGUE CITY...1.6 INCHES AT JAMAICA BEACH AND CLOSE TO 5 INCHES AT BAY CITY.
TRAVEL HAS BECOME QUITE TREACHEROUS AND IS STRONGLY DISCOURAGED. MANY ROADWAYS...BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES WILL ICE OVER AND THEREFORE CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS.
by Bill Murray
in General Thoughts
A Texas White Christmas
December 25, 2004, 1:23 am
Amazing weather from South Texas...
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CORPUS CHRISTI TX
1127 PM CST FRI DEC 24 2004
...UNPRECEDENTED WHITE CHRISTMAS ACROSS SOUTH TEXAS...
WIDESPREAD MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW CONTINUES ACROSS SOUTH
TEXAS AT 11 PM. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS AS OF 11 PM CHRISTMAS EVE
FROM SOUTH TEXAS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOLLOW:
NUECES COUNTY...2-3 INCHES WITH POSSIBLE HIGHER AMOUNTS OVER
THE WESTERN PART OF THE COUNTY. THE HARBOR BRIDGE...HIGHWAY
286/CROSSTOWN EXPRESSWAY...HIGHWAY 358/SPID...JFK CAUSEWAY
AND PORTIONS OF INTERSTATE 37 ARE CLOSED DUE TO ICY CONDITIONS.
MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW CONTINUING.
VICTORIA COUNTY...5-7 INCHES OF SNOW WITH HEAVY SNOW CONTINUING
WITH RATES UP TO 2-3 INCHES PER HOUR. ROADS SNOW PACKED.
ARANSAS COUNTY...1-2 INCHES IN ROCKPORT WITH ROADS SNOW PACKED.
BEE COUNTY...5 INCHES ACROSS THE COUNTY WITH VISIBILITY NEAR
ZERO IN HEAVY SNOW. HIGHWAYS 181/59 ARE CLOSED IN THE COUNTY.
CALHOUN COUNTY...3-4 INCHES ACROSS THE COUNTY WITH POOR VISIBILITY.
ROADS STILL PASSABLE BUT SNOW PACKED.
DUVAL COUNTY...4-5 INCHES IN SAN DIEGO. ROADS SNOW PACKED AND ICY
COUNTYWIDE.
GOLIAD COUNTY...3-5 INCHES WITH HEAVY SNOW CONTINUING WITH SNOW
AMOUNTS UP TO 2-3 INCHES PER HOUR.
JIM WELLS COUNTY...6 INCHES COUNTYWIDE WITH MODERATE SNOW
CONTINUING. ROADS ICY AND SNOW PACKED.
KLEBERG COUNTY...1-3 INCHES WITH MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW. ROADS
SNOW PACKED WITH MANY ACCIDENTS.
LA SALLE COUNTY...1-3 INCHES FROM ENCINAL NORTHEAST TO FOWLERTON.
LIVE OAK COUNTY...6 INCHES AROUND I-37 AND HIGHWAY 59 EAST OF
GEORGE WEST. POSSIBLE HIGHER AMOUNTS NEAR THREE RIVERS. ROADS
ICY AND SNOW PACKED.
MCMULLEN COUNTY...3 INCHES AT TILDEN AS OF 830 PM.
SAN PATRICIO COUNTY...4 INCHES FROM MATHIS TO ODEM. 1-3 INCHES
OVER EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY.
WEBB COUNTY...ROADS ICY OVER EASTERN WEBB COUNTY FROM EAST OF
LAREDO TO AGUILARES. NO ACCUMULATIONS AT THIS TIME.
The scientific discussion from the NWS Corpus Christi
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CORPUS CHRISTI TX
1151 PM CST FRI DEC 24 2004
.SHORT TERM (REST TONIGHT AND SATURDAY)...INTENSIFYING 500HPA CYCLONE AND STRONG DYNAMICAL FORCING(CSI ONE LIKELY CONTRIBUTOR) AND ELEVATED INSTABILITY(ISOLATED THUNDERSNOW) IS PRODUCING SNOW OF HISTORICAL PROPORTIONS ACROSS THE REGION. RAISED TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS TO 5 TO 10 INCHES WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS WEST OF
A PREMONT TO MATHIS TO DACOSTA LINE WHERE HEAVY SNOWBAND REMAINS ORIENTED. ACCUMULATIONS BETWEEN 3 AND 8 INCHES IN THE REMAINDER OF THE WARNING AREA AND 1 TO 3 INCHES IN THE ADVISORY AREA REMAINS VALID.
And from the NWS Houston...
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX
1103 PM CST FRI DEC 24 2004
.UPDATE...
POSTED WINTER WX WARNING FOR THE ORIGINAL ADVISORY AREA (THAT IS FOR LOCATIONS SOUTH OF I-0). HGX RADAR INDICATING A SOLID BAND OF BRIGHT BANDING OVER THE FAR SRN THIRD OF THE CWA. RECENT REPORTS HAVE UP TO AT LEAST 2" OF SNOW OVER THESE LOCATIONS..THUS FAR. IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE ABOUT AN HOUR TO GO TO OFFICIALLY HAVE SNOW ON X-MAS DAY (AGAIN
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER). A PEEK DOWNSTREAM STILL SHOWING ADDITIONAL BANDS MOVING UP FROM THE CRP CWA...WITH THE BACK EDGE SOMEWHERE NEAR THE RIO GRANDE. STAY TUNED... 41/46
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION...
HAVE DECIDED TO RE-ISSUE/UPDATE THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SE TX TO INCLUDE LOCATIONS JUST NORTH OF THE PREVIOUS ADVISORY. BASED ON RADAR TRENDS...BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE/COULD SEE SNOW ACCUMULATING OVERNIGHT FOR THESE AREAS AS WELL. THERE IS ALSO SEEING ADDITIONAL PCPN DEVELOPMENT TO OUR SSW ATTM (AS THE UPPER LOW CONTINUES TO EJECT S/WS ACROSS THE REGION). LOOKING OVER THE RECORDS..THERE IS A VERY REAL AND DISTINCT POSSIBILITY THAT WE (MAINLY FOR IAH AND GLS) COULD SEE OUR VERY FIRST WHITE CHRISTMAS (THAT IS SINCE WX RECORDS HAVE BEEN KEPT). NOT PLANNING ON MAKING TOO MANY OTHER CHANGES FOR THIS EVENING SO WILL KEEP THE REMAINDER OF THE FORECAST PKG PRETTY MUCH AS IS. 41/46
SOME SNOWFALL FACTS:
TODAY'S SNOW IS THE FIRST SNOW TO FALL IN HOUSTON SINCE DECEMBER 17TH 1996 WHEN A TRACE OF SNOW WAS RECORDED. THE LAST TIME HOUSTON HAD MEASURABLE SNOW OF ANY SIGNIFICANCE WAS ON DECEMBER 22ND 1989 WHEN 1.7 INCHES WAS RECORDED AT INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT. THE BIGGEST SNOW ON RECORD IN HOUSTON WAS 20.0 INCHES THAT FELL ON FEBRUARY 14TH-15TH 1895...A TRULY AMAZING RECORD. 35/42
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CORPUS CHRISTI TX
1127 PM CST FRI DEC 24 2004
...UNPRECEDENTED WHITE CHRISTMAS ACROSS SOUTH TEXAS...
WIDESPREAD MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW CONTINUES ACROSS SOUTH
TEXAS AT 11 PM. SNOW ACCUMULATIONS AS OF 11 PM CHRISTMAS EVE
FROM SOUTH TEXAS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOLLOW:
NUECES COUNTY...2-3 INCHES WITH POSSIBLE HIGHER AMOUNTS OVER
THE WESTERN PART OF THE COUNTY. THE HARBOR BRIDGE...HIGHWAY
286/CROSSTOWN EXPRESSWAY...HIGHWAY 358/SPID...JFK CAUSEWAY
AND PORTIONS OF INTERSTATE 37 ARE CLOSED DUE TO ICY CONDITIONS.
MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW CONTINUING.
VICTORIA COUNTY...5-7 INCHES OF SNOW WITH HEAVY SNOW CONTINUING
WITH RATES UP TO 2-3 INCHES PER HOUR. ROADS SNOW PACKED.
ARANSAS COUNTY...1-2 INCHES IN ROCKPORT WITH ROADS SNOW PACKED.
BEE COUNTY...5 INCHES ACROSS THE COUNTY WITH VISIBILITY NEAR
ZERO IN HEAVY SNOW. HIGHWAYS 181/59 ARE CLOSED IN THE COUNTY.
CALHOUN COUNTY...3-4 INCHES ACROSS THE COUNTY WITH POOR VISIBILITY.
ROADS STILL PASSABLE BUT SNOW PACKED.
DUVAL COUNTY...4-5 INCHES IN SAN DIEGO. ROADS SNOW PACKED AND ICY
COUNTYWIDE.
GOLIAD COUNTY...3-5 INCHES WITH HEAVY SNOW CONTINUING WITH SNOW
AMOUNTS UP TO 2-3 INCHES PER HOUR.
JIM WELLS COUNTY...6 INCHES COUNTYWIDE WITH MODERATE SNOW
CONTINUING. ROADS ICY AND SNOW PACKED.
KLEBERG COUNTY...1-3 INCHES WITH MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW. ROADS
SNOW PACKED WITH MANY ACCIDENTS.
LA SALLE COUNTY...1-3 INCHES FROM ENCINAL NORTHEAST TO FOWLERTON.
LIVE OAK COUNTY...6 INCHES AROUND I-37 AND HIGHWAY 59 EAST OF
GEORGE WEST. POSSIBLE HIGHER AMOUNTS NEAR THREE RIVERS. ROADS
ICY AND SNOW PACKED.
MCMULLEN COUNTY...3 INCHES AT TILDEN AS OF 830 PM.
SAN PATRICIO COUNTY...4 INCHES FROM MATHIS TO ODEM. 1-3 INCHES
OVER EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY.
WEBB COUNTY...ROADS ICY OVER EASTERN WEBB COUNTY FROM EAST OF
LAREDO TO AGUILARES. NO ACCUMULATIONS AT THIS TIME.
The scientific discussion from the NWS Corpus Christi
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CORPUS CHRISTI TX
1151 PM CST FRI DEC 24 2004
.SHORT TERM (REST TONIGHT AND SATURDAY)...INTENSIFYING 500HPA CYCLONE AND STRONG DYNAMICAL FORCING(CSI ONE LIKELY CONTRIBUTOR) AND ELEVATED INSTABILITY(ISOLATED THUNDERSNOW) IS PRODUCING SNOW OF HISTORICAL PROPORTIONS ACROSS THE REGION. RAISED TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS TO 5 TO 10 INCHES WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS WEST OF
A PREMONT TO MATHIS TO DACOSTA LINE WHERE HEAVY SNOWBAND REMAINS ORIENTED. ACCUMULATIONS BETWEEN 3 AND 8 INCHES IN THE REMAINDER OF THE WARNING AREA AND 1 TO 3 INCHES IN THE ADVISORY AREA REMAINS VALID.
And from the NWS Houston...
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX
1103 PM CST FRI DEC 24 2004
.UPDATE...
POSTED WINTER WX WARNING FOR THE ORIGINAL ADVISORY AREA (THAT IS FOR LOCATIONS SOUTH OF I-0). HGX RADAR INDICATING A SOLID BAND OF BRIGHT BANDING OVER THE FAR SRN THIRD OF THE CWA. RECENT REPORTS HAVE UP TO AT LEAST 2" OF SNOW OVER THESE LOCATIONS..THUS FAR. IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE ABOUT AN HOUR TO GO TO OFFICIALLY HAVE SNOW ON X-MAS DAY (AGAIN
FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER). A PEEK DOWNSTREAM STILL SHOWING ADDITIONAL BANDS MOVING UP FROM THE CRP CWA...WITH THE BACK EDGE SOMEWHERE NEAR THE RIO GRANDE. STAY TUNED... 41/46
&&
.PREV DISCUSSION...
HAVE DECIDED TO RE-ISSUE/UPDATE THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SE TX TO INCLUDE LOCATIONS JUST NORTH OF THE PREVIOUS ADVISORY. BASED ON RADAR TRENDS...BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE/COULD SEE SNOW ACCUMULATING OVERNIGHT FOR THESE AREAS AS WELL. THERE IS ALSO SEEING ADDITIONAL PCPN DEVELOPMENT TO OUR SSW ATTM (AS THE UPPER LOW CONTINUES TO EJECT S/WS ACROSS THE REGION). LOOKING OVER THE RECORDS..THERE IS A VERY REAL AND DISTINCT POSSIBILITY THAT WE (MAINLY FOR IAH AND GLS) COULD SEE OUR VERY FIRST WHITE CHRISTMAS (THAT IS SINCE WX RECORDS HAVE BEEN KEPT). NOT PLANNING ON MAKING TOO MANY OTHER CHANGES FOR THIS EVENING SO WILL KEEP THE REMAINDER OF THE FORECAST PKG PRETTY MUCH AS IS. 41/46
SOME SNOWFALL FACTS:
TODAY'S SNOW IS THE FIRST SNOW TO FALL IN HOUSTON SINCE DECEMBER 17TH 1996 WHEN A TRACE OF SNOW WAS RECORDED. THE LAST TIME HOUSTON HAD MEASURABLE SNOW OF ANY SIGNIFICANCE WAS ON DECEMBER 22ND 1989 WHEN 1.7 INCHES WAS RECORDED AT INTERCONTINENTAL AIRPORT. THE BIGGEST SNOW ON RECORD IN HOUSTON WAS 20.0 INCHES THAT FELL ON FEBRUARY 14TH-15TH 1895...A TRULY AMAZING RECORD. 35/42
by Bill Murray
in General Thoughts
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