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Arctic Air Watch...December 4, 2008

Good morning bloggers,

Kansas City had a low of 17 degrees at 5:43 this morning.  This is just a cold Canadian Air Mass that has settled over us today.  We are now focusing on the high likelyhood of an Arctic blast within the next 10 days with chances for some snow.  So, I am issuing my first Arctic Air Watch.  There is no official Arctic Air Watch that the National Weather Service puts out, so this is just our way of preparing for a potential Arctic blast.  Look below at the surface forecast map from the GFS valid Monday night at midnight. I will point out a few features below:

There are a few things that you should notice on this 120 hour forecast map:

  • Look at the high pressure area just to the left of the A in Arctic.  That is a 1040 mb Arctic high that is growing with pressures likely still going up.  Its associated surface ridging reaches down to just northwest of Kansas City.
  • There is a surface low over north Texas with an inverted trough/front extending up through Missouri.  This will set us up for a chance of a cold rain/snow later Monday or Monday night.
  • Just under the T in Arctic is a 474 thickness.  That is very, very cold!

Now, look at the next map valid later next week.  The GFS is forecasting Kansas City to be in the single digits.  The white area is 20 degrees below zero or colder!

How does this all fit the LRC and what is about to happen?  We will be talking about the forecast on NBC Action News the next few days.  And, I am going into the LRC on www.LRCWeather.com as all of this fits perfectly with this years forecast weather pattern.  A storm could affect us on Monday.  Our first inch of snow should happen within ten days, possibly within three or four days.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Gary

Published Thursday, December 04, 2008 6:08 AM by glezak

Comments

 

chfs327 said:

well its 7:35...
December 4, 2008 7:35 AM
 

K10K7 said:

Good Morning Gary, any indications yet on how long this one will stick around and if there is any precip during that time frame?

-----------------

It is very difficult to say, but if we go by what we have had the past few weeks I think there will be some big ups and downs, but more downs in the coming weeks.  Everything should come together for a couple of big storms.

Gary

December 4, 2008 7:36 AM
 

Meegosh85 said:

after following your forecasts enough to materially affect productivity, i have come to the conclusion that observing weather is not enough. what can we (and by that i mean you) do to actively make it snow here in kansas city? i respectfully suggest that you make that your next meteorological accomplishment.
thank you

---------------

To make it snow here you have to have patience!  So, if everyone can just hold on and enjoy the winter ride, then the snow will come.  If it is going to get very, very cold, it will  have to snow.

Gary

December 4, 2008 7:56 AM
 

boootz said:

Holy Frozen Water Bowls is it ever cold outside, my truck was slugish starting, my cats and dogs didn't even come out to visit me this morning and to top it off Gary issues a Artic Air Watch.....Bah Humbug....
December 4, 2008 7:59 AM
 

bewild79 said:

aahhh boootz,
just puts you in the holiday spirit!
December 4, 2008 8:08 AM
 

sedsinkc said:

Glad to see the thrust of this Arctic air mass is predicted to be into the Great Lakes and not due south through all the Plains states.  Can't stand Arctic cold, esp. in Texas.  After a short visit to KC over this weekend, driving back to Tx Monday AM so hopefully no icy roads.
December 4, 2008 8:32 AM
 

sedsinkc said:

Cold enough here this AM at 26.  Folks here are complaining about the cold and the predicted high today is 50!
December 4, 2008 8:34 AM
 

bewild79 said:

Gary,
Did I hear right that a storm could give us some trouble for Monday?  Are you just going to go into it more later?
Becky
December 4, 2008 8:35 AM
 

sedsinkc said:

If Arctic high pressure continues to strengthen to the 1060+mb range over NW Canada after the time frame shown in your forecast maps above, it's almost inevitable that the Arctic air will eventually reach southern Plains.  Maybe it'll bring some snow or ice with it.

------------------

If the Arctic air can get down here, then we are likely going to see more than one good chance of a snowstorm.  This pattern will get energized.  So, the weather is likely about to get super exciting.  I hope so.

Gary

December 4, 2008 8:50 AM
 

Chickadee said:

Is it going to snow here late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning?  We are going on a much-anticipated trip with a tight layover and are nervous about the flight being late.
December 4, 2008 8:56 AM
 

stormlover said:

BRR-BRR-BRR...my animals don't like this weather but it sure brings the birds to the feeders...along with the deer & squirrels...everyone is hungry in the cold
December 4, 2008 9:17 AM
 

Kelli said:

Come on, snow!!!  I need some snow!
December 4, 2008 9:20 AM
 

KCGladstone said:

Gary,

What are the prospects of snow from Thursday, the 11th to Sunday the 15th?  I know thats 7-10 days out for you but I am going north to Sioux City to celebrate the holidays with my family then.  I am driving up I-29 and need to know if I should be prepared for the bad stuff driving. *************** This time of year it is always good to be prepared for bad weather. I would just suggest having a little flex time for any travel plans from now until Christmas. Generally is a storm is around you can either leave a little early or late and should be fine. Jeremy
December 4, 2008 9:58 AM
 

frigate said:

No snow...there have already been several fatalies due to bad road conditions, so I'm already counting the days to spring!!!!

Jeff
December 4, 2008 10:14 AM
 

Andrew_Stafford said:

I am ready for 2-3' of Snow!! What's the biggest Snowfall amount the KC Metro has ever gotten? Has it ever been 2 Ft or more?
December 4, 2008 10:33 AM
 

kcroyals05 said:

Umm, possible snow for Monday??  Would that be in the morning say 8:40??   Looking forward to the wild ride Gary.  Love the winter....  

Bill
December 4, 2008 10:35 AM
 

f00dl3 said:

I think the snow will hold off until late Monday if not Tuesday based on latest model trends - the system is slowing down - but who knows?
December 4, 2008 10:38 AM
 

reafamily said:

We had 26-28 inches of snow from a single storm 2 years ago in the Butler-Adrian area. It was great! Much better than the ice storms we have been getting. At least we didn't lose power that time. I am excited about the snow and cold next week, but have tickets to the Chiefs/Chargers game. :( I am guessing Carharts and sweaters will be the dress code for that game.

Pat
December 4, 2008 10:49 AM
 

Nick Rau said:

Just wanted to say that I have seen a few snow flakes here in St. Joe as some low clouds are pushing in!!! So it is official now, an Arctic Air Watch;)  So what are the dimensions of the watch box?;)
December 4, 2008 11:44 AM
 

NorthlandGirl said:

KCGladstone - I'm a Sioux City girl myself and will be traveling up the 29 funway the following weekend.  It can get rather tricky this time of year, and I've had to cancel or change many a trip over the years.  Sending you good vibes for clear weather and safe travels!
December 4, 2008 11:44 AM
 

Andrew_Stafford said:

Nick,

From The Canadian Border to Oklahoma, East and West are the dimensions!! :D
December 4, 2008 12:09 PM
 

VdoManZ said:

 
Andrew,  the biggest snowstorm I remember in KC was in 1991 we had around 16" to 18" in kc with 1/2 inch of ice on top of that! I was still in school so it was nice to be home for a week, but I'm pretty sure it shut the city down for a few days.
December 4, 2008 12:10 PM
 

weatherfreak01 said:

So, do you guys figure I should stock up on food this weekend? I always like to stock up on food when bad weather approches so I don't have to drive in it. Or do you think we won't get lots of snow on Monday night? Like most people, I would rather stay in a nice and warm house than willingly go out and freeze. What is nice about Winter is that if you loose your power, you don't have to worry about your food thawing, just stick it outside! :-) I, for one, cook on Natural gas, so even if the power goes bye bye, I can still cook dinner for the family.
Audra
December 4, 2008 12:26 PM
 

kane1970 said:

Does any one have any early predictions on snowfall amounts?
December 4, 2008 12:38 PM
 

kcwxguy said:

Looking at several models, I am not thinking the GFS has the upcoming event quite right.  I think it is too fast, the path is a bit too far east as I expect it to dig up out of the long term longwave more NE faster, and I am not feeling it is representing the ULL near the Canadian border quite right.

Will be interesting to watch.

Looking at the 14th on the GFS..right pattern, wrong time.  It is way to fast on this setup per the pattern.

For fun, watch the energy building near the Aleutians..and the subsequent cold air coming in the ridging between.  Once this GL trough does swing out and the built up vorticity drops into the Western Conus, it could be a doozy - and have cold air in place.

Just in time for...

;-)


December 4, 2008 12:44 PM
 

kcwxguy said:

I think I am going to be bullish on snow for this storm.  
December 4, 2008 12:45 PM
 

KC_Hams said:

Meaning single digits for the high temp? *gulp*
December 4, 2008 1:04 PM
 

bewild79 said:

So is this supposed to be some monster storm early next week?
December 4, 2008 1:20 PM
 

kane1970 said:

Well I am going to go ahead and brace my self for the reall possibility that I will have to go out and plow that white stuff away. I think I may even go buy a sled for the kids. I am not going to stock up on food though. I will go shop when I need to and not before. No reason to get crazy now.lol
December 4, 2008 1:34 PM
 

KansasPatriot said:

Is this easter trough weather pattern going to be dominate in December? I am more in favor of the split flow pattern with those storms coming from the southwest.
December 4, 2008 1:47 PM
 

KansasPatriot said:

So basically, this is the first winter for the LRC theory? The data collected from this fall, and the winter will really put things into perspective hopefully.

Once the LRC theory is tested and proven then next winter in Kansas City would the be that much more predictable I am assuming.

-------------------------

No, we have been using the LRC for many years.  And, in the past three years we have been making more specific forecasts based on the theory.  So, this winter is not the first year we are testing with the LRC.

Gary

December 4, 2008 1:52 PM
 

KansasPatriot said:

Thanks Gary, I wasnt sure how refined the theory or how much it had been tested.  Have other meteoroligists started to observe your findings and perhaps use them in their own forecasting?
December 4, 2008 3:19 PM
 

juba said:

This is my first year to see a lot about the LRC, but this loos like the eastern trough.l
December 4, 2008 3:29 PM
 

chfs327 said:

Hey Are you saying Single Digits for highs or Lows. If for Highs... Look Out

******************

I think that was probably for lows.

Jeremy

December 4, 2008 4:28 PM
 

sweetness said:

I for one think that the reason we are having fatalities is because people dont slow down when it does get bad. Just me theory though. So Gary what do you think on snow? Ive lived im Missouri my whole 16 years of life lol and the only real BIG snow storms ive gotten was when i lived in the country. I still kinda do now but what are you thinking? And on the cold air bring it on i love the cold weather perfect thing for football.
December 4, 2008 4:33 PM
 

bellgolfMU12 said:

kcwxguy,
are you saying that areas to the east of the metro (sedalia, marshall, adn columbia) are looking at a better chance of snow?
December 4, 2008 4:36 PM
 

Brent said:

"A storm could affect us on Monday.  Our first inch of snow should happen within ten days, possibly within three or four days."


too bad the snow is out of the forecast...this has to be the most boring winter ever....we usually have some snow by now....I guess Harrisonville is just going to miss out again this year? does it look like northeast will get hit this year more than south?

******************

Brent,

Good catch on that.  The snow is not out of the forecast.  Still a good chance(40%) late Monday into Tuesday.  Jeff Penner and I were trying to make the 7 day appear more accurate for the newscasts.  In trying to do so we turned off the precip. for a moment and the auto update computer posted the 7 day forecast automatically.  It grabbed an image that had no snow on it:)  We will fix that right away.  Thanks for noticing that.

Jeremy 

December 4, 2008 4:52 PM
 

mattmaisch said:

Brent you beat me to the punch on that one.  I was wondering the same thing.  I just looked at the new GFS and then saw the forecast and wondered what I was missing.  Glad to know the chance of snow is still in there...

Matt

*************

The graphic should be updated on the site now.

Jeremy

December 4, 2008 4:59 PM
 

Luthur said:

"this has to be the most boring winter ever"

It isn't even Winter yet.  The average date for our first inch of snow hasn't happened yet.  Patience, young grasshopper.
December 4, 2008 5:09 PM
 

WEATHERdude said:

YEAH! lol artic air watch! lol it seems that the arctic air has already arrived... its really cold out there, plus that wonderful wind doesnt help, but i dont really mind it all that much, better than sweltering heat :D

and i see the GFS has already changed that far out, earlier, those cold temps werent dipping down as far south as us, i guess i shouldnt be surprised for the change, lol happens all the time. but wow, its been a while since ive seen single digits
December 4, 2008 7:19 PM
 

bewild79 said:

if I looked right, it looks like the snow for tues is the only chance for a while.  The model had the big chance around the 13 and now I dont see it

**********************

I wouldn't worry too much past 4-5 days with the GFS.  It will put big storm in and then take them out.  There is a lot of model error each day out from the initialization.

Jeremy

December 4, 2008 7:44 PM
 

LRCfan said:

Snow Creek ought to be making plenty of snow with these cold temperatures,maybe they will get some real snow next week :)
December 4, 2008 7:46 PM
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