Today is the traditional observance of George Washington's Birthday. As a farmer, Washington was a weather observer who maintained a weather diary for his plantation, Mount Vernon on the banks of the Potomac River south of Alexandria, VA. The last weather entry in his diary was made on 13 December 1799, the day before he died.
WEATHER OVER THE WEEKEND -- At the end of last week attention was focused upon a snow-producing storm system that was moving southeastward across the mid-Mississippi Valley. The reason for early concern was the possibility that this system could become a major storm that would move northeastward along the Eastern Seaboard on the weekend, producing heavy snows and causing weather-related problems for the Northeast. However, this storm that was located over Arkansas on Thursday night moved eastward across northern portions of the Gulf Coast States on Friday. By Saturday morning the system was well off the North Carolina Coast, too far to the east to directly affect weather along the Eastern Seaboard.
As this system moved eastward from the Mississippi Valley on Friday, rain and thunderstorms along the southern fringes of this storm crossed Alabama and Georgia, while to the north, some light snow fell across the higher terrain of the Appalachians. To the south of the weather system, Hollywood, FL had a record breaking high temperature of 85 degrees on Friday afternoon. Following in the wake of Thursday's storm, a band of light snow moved southeastward across the Missouri and mid-Mississippi Valleys on Saturday, with little significant accumulation. Some additional snow fell over the southern Appalachians on Saturday evening.
A high pressure system that moved slowly eastward across northern Ontario helped produce some lake-effect and lake-enhanced snow across the Great Lakes over the weekend. A cold northerly or northeasterly wind circulating around the eastern flank of the high pressure cell passed over the relatively warm waters of the lakes. A northeasterly wind across Lake Michigan was responsible for a band of snow that persisted over lakeshore communities such as Milwaukee, WI and Chicago, IL for much of Friday and Saturday. One to two inches of snow fell within several miles of the shore line, with trace amounts farther inland. By Sunday, the region experiencing the majority of the lake-effect snowshowers had shifted eastward to northern Ohio and western New York State as the high pressure system had moved eastward.
This high pressure system was also responsible for bringing a return of more seasonably cool weather to the East on Saturday and Sunday. The northerly wind flow brought cooler air southward along the Eastern Seaboard behind a cold front that had moved out to sea late Thursday. On Sunday afternoon, high temperatures across much of the eastern half of the country were below the long-term average highs for the date. Many locations, especially over the Southeast and into the mid-Mississippi Valley ranged from 10 to 20 degrees below average.
In the West, a storm system that came onshore over Washington State's Olympic Peninsula late Thursday moved eastward on Friday, reaching the lee-slopes of the Wyoming Rockies by evening. Snow fell across the Cascades and northern Rockies. High pressure formed over the Pacific Northwest on Friday, remaining over the region until late Saturday, providing a one day respite from the stormy and wet weather of last week. By Saturday night, the next storm system was rapidly approaching the Oregon and northern California coast, with a precipitation shield extending outward in advance of the system. This next system continued inland overnight into Sunday morning. Showery precipitation, to include several imbedded thunderstorms, followed behind the cold front. As much as a foot of new snow fell across the Sierras and northern Rockies. Snow continued to fall across the Great Basin and Rockies on Sunday. Salt Lake City experienced lake-enhanced snow from neighboring Great Salt Lake. Windy weather also accompanied this system.
While cool weather was found of a large portion of the country, relatively warm weather was found over the Southwest. Record high temperatures were tied Sunday in Arizona at Tucson and Douglas, with 82 degrees and 78 degrees, respectively.
WEATHER FOR STARTING THE NEW WEEK -- As of late Sunday night, a large ridge of high pressure dominated the eastern half of the country. This ridge extended southward from a center located over James and Hudson Bay in Canada across the Great Lakes into the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. Some widely scattered lake-effect snow showers continued across northern Ohio, western Pennsylvania and New York State as northerly and northeasterly winds remained across the region. This northerly flow continued southward across Florida, as the cold front trailing the cold front associated with a storm system that moved offshore earlier in the weekend was located over the Florida Straits.
The ridge is expected to move only slowly to the east-southeast on Monday, meaning that chilly conditions should continue along the Eastern Seaboard, extending south into northern Florida. Otherwise, relatively tranquil weather conditions should prevail.
A double-barreled low pressure system was located over Rocky Mountain States as of late Sunday. One center was located over southern Montana, while a second low was found along the trailing cold front over southwestern Colorado. Some wide spread light snow associated with these lows was found across the higher terrain of the northern Rockies. By early Monday morning the northern portion of the storm system is forecast to be located over the western Dakotas, while the southern portion should reach the Plains of eastern Colorado. Snow is expected to fall across the Plains from the Dakotas to northern Missouri on Monday as the storm system moves southeastward during the day. Several inches of accumulation are likely along the storm track. Blowing and drifting snow are also possible.
In the Pacific Northwest more precipitation was falling across western Washington State ahead of an approaching storm system. Additional rain and heavy high-elevation snow should continue across the region through Monday. Windy conditions were also a problem with this approaching system. Heavy surf advisories extended from Cape Shoalwater, WA to Point Piedras Blancas, CA. High wind watches and warnings were in effect for much of interior Washington State. Snow should continue into the morning hours across the Cascades and northern Rockies. Various winter storm watches and warnings as well as winter weather advisories were issued for the Western mountains, to include those in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho.
High pressure is expected to form over the Basin region of central Nevada by early Monday. High wind warnings have been issued for southern California for strong northeasterly winds that are expected to develop overnight. Winds with gusts to 60 mph are forecast for the Cajon Pass to the north of the Los Angeles Basin.
Despite cool temperatures in Florida, spring training camps for major league baseball will be in full operation in Florida and Arizona beginning Monday.
TEMPERATURE EXTREMES IN THE COTERMINOUS U.S. -- The lowest temperature on Sunday was 17 degrees below zero at Ely and Silver Bay, MN. Sunday's highest temperature was 85 degrees at Buckeye, AZ.
ALASKAN WEATHER -- A large storm system over the Bering Sea, a front over southeast Alaska and a storm over the Gulf of Alaska dominated the weather across Alaska on Sunday, with clouds and precipitation that stretched across western Alaska, the Pribilofs, the Aleutians, the north Gulf coast and the southeast Panhandle. The large storm system consisted of a weakening low pressure center that was located near Saint Paul Island with an occluded front that curled northward to near the Bering Strait before turning eastward and then southeastward across western Alaska before exiting into the Gulf of Alaska near Kodiak Island. Earlier this weekend, this storm system had been responsible for gusty winds across the Bering Sea and western Alaska. The stationary front extended east-southeastward from the Kenai Peninsula across the Panhandle into western British Columbia. Another storm system was situated in the southern Gulf of Alaska with a front that extended southeastward across the Pacific Ocean. Cloudy skies were also found across the North Slope and northwest Alaska.
A large ridge of high pressure that extended westward from the Yukon Territory into eastern interior Alaska brought cloud-free skies to a large portion of interior Alaska. This area contained the coldest air across the state. Fog was reported in the Upper Yukon Valley.
The lowest temperature in the state as of Sunday morning was 31 degrees below zero at Northway, while the midafternoon state high on Sunday was 43 degrees at Hydaburg and Metlakatla.
HAWAIIAN WEATHER -- The shear line, representing the southern extremity of an old cold front from the mid latitudes, finally reached the islands over the weekend, accompanied by increased clouds, locally heavy showers and wind gusts. By Sunday morning, the northern and western islands began to gradually clear as a drier air mass moved in behind the shear line. The windward slopes of the Big Island continued to experience persistent heavy showers. As a result, a flash flood watch was issued for the windward side of the island. A winter weather warning was also posted for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, the volcanic peaks on the Big Island for subfreezing temperatures, snow and ice pellets (sleet). As of Sunday night, snow was falling near the summits, above 10,000 feet. Small craft advisories were in effect for all state waters.
WHY ONLY 28 DAYS? -- If you have wondered why we will not celebrate a 29th day of February this year, see the Monday optional electronic Supplemental Information available on the Online Weather Homepage.
AN EYE ON THE SKY -- If clouds do not interfere, look out to the western horizon after local sunset either tonight or tomorrow to see a spectacular sight. The planets Jupiter and Venus will appear close together in the western sky.
BECOMING AWARE -- During this coming week of 21-27 February, the following states across the South have scheduled their Severe/hazardous Weather Awareness Week: Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas and Louisiana. These weeks are usually scheduled before the onset of the severe weather season. If you live in any of these states, you should take time to become familiar with the various public affairs announcements issued by your local National Weather Service Office. Other states farther to the north will be observing their Severe Weather Awareness weeks in the next month.
From the files of the Aviation Weather Center, Kansas City, MO and Intellicast
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Prepared by Edward J. Hopkins, Ph.D., email hopkins@meteor.wisc.edu
© Copyright, 1999, The American Meteorological Society.