Tuesday, January 22, 2008

AMS Conference coming to an End

It has been a great two days filled with lots of seminars on several interesting topics covering: smoke forecasting using BlueSky network, Severe weather topics, tornadoe topics, new WRF weather modeling framework, and lightning stepped leader process. Tomorrow I will attend a couple more sessions and then will head to the airport to return home tomorrow night.

Tonight we went to a small Grill/bar off Bourbon Street and I had aligator sasuage on a sandwich, tasting something like pork. It was mighty good!! Then leaving the restaurant we encountered foggy streets and a local marching band playing on the corner. We stopped to enjoy the music and pictures.

Weather here has started to change again. Southerly flow from the Gulf has opened up allowing moist air to come onshore. This warm moist air over cool ground has provided the foggy conditions here in the city, probably will remain through the night into the morning hours until the sun can burn off the low layer. I also noticed an upper level cut-off Low has been dominating over the Pacific SW allong side a small amount of the subtropical jet kicking some moisture over to the deep south. Models indicate this cut-off Low will get entrained into a trough setting up over the Pacific NW while another trough behind this will drop in yet another cut-off Low for more of the same conditions over the SW US.

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Exploring New Orleans

It remains cold here in New Orleans with temperatures in upper 30's. It was nice and sunny today with a light breeze. We went to the French Quarter and saw a local Mardi Gras parade last night and walked down Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. There was lots of people and lots of music. Today we took a walk on the River Walk Mall by the convention center and got to see the Mississippi River. After finishing up at the Student Conference we stopped at our first Cajun restaurant for some good tasting grub. Tomorrow starts the main part of the conference and exhibit hall which should be fun!

As far as weather, looking at the upper level model, the short range is showing a cut-off Low retrograding back over the Pacific SW. This setup will bring precipitation to CO and LA into the mid part of the week with the main trough moving trough.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Cold in the South!

It is cold here in New Orleans, around 40 F with a stiff Pontchartrain breeze. It was raining very heavy this morning on our 6 block walk to the convention center to start our Student Conference. I had a nice rain jacket which worked great to keep my shirt dry but didn't help my jeans since all the water was shed down onto my pants. Needless to say all of our pants were soaked to start off our morning. Between the rain coming down and dodging the large street puddles we were doing pretty well. The conference has been really good so far, have a little break this afternoon and then a career fair tonight. Afterwards might try to find a cajun place to eat.

As far as weather goes, our cloudy skies here will be clearing out soon and maybe get a peek of sunshine before the day is over while the trough continues to move out across Florida. Looking on satellite Colorado is sitting under a shallow high pressure ridge bringing NW flow.

Live from LA

Good morning. I am live from New Orleans, LA attending the AMS (American Meteorological Society) Annual Conference. It is rainy this morning with clearing on the way for us. Satellite shows a clearing line west of our location moving this way. An arctic cold front is pushing south meeting this abundant moisture line giving freeze warnings for our area. Hopefully it doesn't get too cold here. I will update later but need to get going for opening day. Cheers to all!!!

Monday, January 7, 2008

More Snow!

Currently steady snowfall in SW Denver at this hour with a nice SE wind bringing snow bands through the area. Low pressure located near four corners area associated with a upper level trough will continue to move eastward but will hang up in the central mountains later this afternoon before making it onto eastern plains late tonight. This will give the Front Range area a shifting wind from the East to the North to finally NW by early morning. Low level SE flow mixed with upper level SW flow are great ingredients for Front Range snow lasting into this evening late. Accumulation in SW Denver area will be 1-3 inches. After the trough passes a shallow ridge will form in place and clear the skies for Tuesday and most of Wednesday. Wednesday afternoon should see light clouds form lasting through Thursdays morning ahead of the next system to affect the Western Slope Wednesday and Thursday.

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Big System Coming Through!!

Short Range-
Currently clouds and snow over western CO. Radar picking up snow and moisture that is continuing to develop on western slope. Large upper level trough of Low pressure still hanging in the W US and bringing moisture into CO with SW flow. High resolution model showing very light snow accumulation for Denver area starting around 10 am Sunday morning, 1-6-07. Long term model showing another shot for snow in the Denver area on Monday as the big trough continues Eastward slowly. NW flow will return after the trough passes through leaving mild conditions on eastern slope.