Hoar Frost….Ye Old Hoar Frost November 30, 2011

These are some beautiful pictures sent in by our ulocal member “milaniet” from Ozark, AR.  These pictures were taken Wednesday morning after a clear sky and light winds.

This type of frost is known as Hoar frost.  The name comes from Old English.  It can be used as an adjective for showing signs of old age in reference to the frost which makes trees and bushes look like elderly white hair. It may also have association with hawthorn when covered in its characteristic white spring blossom.

Drew Michaels

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Images From The 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season… November 30, 2011

The 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season, a season known for being strange due to the high number of storms and the low percentage of hurricanes, was memorable for several reasons. The possible explanation for the unusual activity could be due to the near-record ocean temperatures and the dry, stable air mass in place across the majority of the Atlantic Ocean. Here are some of the images from the Atlantic Season:

(The scene in Nassau in the Bahamas at daybreak on August 25, 2011 during Hurricane Irene.)

(Irene slamming into the Northeast dumping very heavy rain and bringing gusty winds.)

(Tropical Storm Lee making landfall in LA.)

(A great collection of storms across the entire Atlantic.)

(Satellite imagery of the strongest storm of the 2011 Season – Hurricane Ophelia.)

Matt Devitt

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2011 Hurricane Season Comes to an End November 29, 2011

Article Courtesy of NOAA

 The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season officially ends Wednesday, having produced a total of 19 tropical storms of which seven became hurricanes, including three major hurricanes. This level of activity matched NOAA’s predictions and continues the trend of active hurricane seasons that began in 1995.

The 19 tropical storms represent the third-highest total (tied with 1887, 1995, and 2010) since records began in 1851 and is well above the average of 11. However, the number of hurricanes and major hurricanes is only slightly above the average of six and two, respectively.

This year’s totals include a post-storm upgrade of Tropical Storm Nate to hurricane status, and the addition of a short-lived, unnamed tropical storm that formed in early September between Bermuda and Nova Scotia. This unnamed storm, along with several other weak, short-lived named storms, could have gone undetected without modern satellite technology.

Irene was the lone hurricane to hit the United States in 2011, and the first one to do so since Ike struck southeast Texas in 2008. Irene was also the most significant tropical cyclone to strike the Northeast since Hurricane Bob in 1991.

As far as landfalling major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5 with top winds of 111mph and greater) are concerned, the lull continues. 2011 marks a record six straight years without one hitting the United States. The last one to do so was Wilma in 2005. Nonetheless, wind is not the only threat with tropical systems as proven by Irene and Lee, which caused deadly and destructive flooding. On average, more than half of the fatalities related to tropical systems are due to flooding.

Drew Michaels

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Coldest Temperatures in Months Tonight / Mid Week Forecast! November 29, 2011

With high pressure in control, mostly clear skies, and light winds,  for tonight temperatures will drop into the teens and twenties…the coldest since February. With that same dry air mass in place, temperatures will rebound into the upper 40s to lower 50s across most of the area by Wednesday afternoon. No rain is expected until later on into the weekend with the majority of the precipitation on Saturday. A frontal boundary moving through will help to reinforce the chilly weather for Friday and into the weekend…Enjoy the sunshine for this afternoon and on Wednesday because dreary conditions are once again in the forecast for the weekend coming up.

P.S. Models are hinting at flurries mixing in with light showers on Sunday morning…We’ll update you on that throughout the course of the week.

Matt Devitt

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Rare Snowstorm Hits the Southeast…. November 28, 2011

Well, if this is a sign of what’s to come this winter, we’re in trouble!  A snowstorm continues to move across northeastern Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi tonight. The center of the storm is sitting over Memphis!

Snow reports across northeastern Arkansas have ranged between 1″ and 3″ from Paragould to Jonesboro.

The snow will continue tonight throughout the southeast.  The Atlanta area might see some light snow by Tuesday morning; however, no accumulations are expected.  Northern Georgia could see up to an inch of snow!

Drew Michaels

Follow us on Twitter at “4029weather”

Short Term Forecast! November 28, 2011

After a dreary weekend with afternoon temperatures only into the 30s and 40s across the area with overcast skies, Monday afternoon will be chilly once again. The reason for the low clouds is an upper level low that has continued to keep the pesky cloud cover around longer than expected. But that upper level low will slowly move off towards the East over the next 24-48 hours, taking the cloud cover with it later today (lingering moisture at that particular level should mix out). Occasional breezes between 15-20 mph will make it feel even colder out there…Please bundle up before heading out! Lows in the 20s and 30s for tonight but a weak front will reinforce  the chilly weather with highs in the 40s and 50s expected Tuesday. As high pressure builds in Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, clear skies and light winds will lead to the coldest morning lows in months…Expect lows in the teens and twenties area wide! With that same dry air mass in place, temperatures will rebound in the 50s later on during your Wednesday afternoon!

 

Matt Devitt

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November Rain November 27, 2011

The end of November is in sight and after a couple of big rain makers, the month has ended well above normal for rainfall. Fort Smith has picked up on 7.19″ of rain for November and Fayetteville has had 6.98″. That is about 2.5″ above average for the month and it has been enough to bring the viewing area out of the drought that caused so many issues during the summer.

It is interesting to mention the yearly rain totals given all of the dramatic ups and downs of the year so far. Fort Smith has picked up 43.12″ so far which is 2.98″ above average to date. Fayetteville has picked up 53.13″ so far which is 10.75″ above average to date.

Ross Ellet

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Snow Flurries & Drizzle Possible Overnight November 26, 2011

A cold front is slicing through the area right now and the temperatures will plummet this afternoon. There is an upper level wave behind the front that is producing a shield of rainfall through Oklahoma. This will move in later this afternoon and last through early evening and light precipitation could linger in northwest Arkansas till the early morning hours on Sunday. As the cold air moves in quickly, there is the potential for this shield of precipitation to turn over to snow flurries later this evening and early overnight tonight mainly in northwest Arkansas. Here is the GFS computer model at 6pm tonight. You can see the precipitation should be rain here at home with light snow to the west.

Around 8pm tonight the air will become cold enough the precipitation could turn from drizzle to snow flurries. The best chance of flurries tonight will be closer to midnight when the bulk of the cold air settles in. Here is the GFS computer model at midnight.

All of the heavy precipitation will remain to our east and no snow accumulation is expected. However, a few snow flurries could continue off and on through the overnight hours and may end as mist or perhaps freezing mist Sunday morning since only low clouds will remain (which is below the level where snow is generated in the clouds). No major issues are expected. The bigger story will remain the cold through the weekend. Nonetheless, the first flakes of the season are possible for parts of the area in a matter of hours.

Ross Ellet

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10 PM Update – Showers/T’Storms Moving East November 25, 2011

Showers and even a couple isolated t’storms currently around Central Oklahoma are continuing to move eastward dropping some much needed rainfall around areas that definitely need it. That activity will move through mainly during the morning hours with a couple lingering showers during the early afternoon. Severe weather is not expected due to lack of instability.

Matt Devitt

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Short Term / Weekend Forecast! November 24, 2011

Thanks to a tight pressure gradient, expect a breezy next several days. Winds Friday afternoon will be between 15-25 mph with occasional gusts around 30-35 mph. Heading into Saturday morning, showers and storms will move through (associated with a frontal boundary) providing a good soaker across the area. Severe weather, due to lack of ample instability, is currently not expected. Once the front moves through, expect chilly and breezy conditions for the rest of the weekend!

Matt Devitt

Follow us on Twitter at “4029weather”