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As of January 1st 2013 we have more snow on the ground in the U.S then in the past 10yrs! And records only go back 10 years calculating the percentages..
January 1, 2013: 67%
January 1 2012: 20%
January 1 2011: 50%
January 1 2010: 61%
January 1 2009: 39%
January 1 2008: 47%
January 1 2007: 43%
January 1 2006: 29%
January 1 2005: 25%
January 1 2004: 29%
But more interestingly.... While there were only a few local spots below normal for the month of December, most of the nation was ABOVE normal... yet... Snow cover went from 13% to 66% of the U.S covered with snow.
Moral of the story here is that the maps we see do not factor in daily events and the fact of the matter is, there could be snowstorms with above normal temps on average.
But more interestingly.... While there were only a few local spots below normal for the month of December, [B
most of the nation was ABOVE normal[/b]... yet... Snow cover went from 13% to 66% of the U.S covered with snow.
Moral of the story here is that the maps we see do not factor in daily events and the fact of the matter is, there could be snowstorms with above normal temps on average.
True. Though the snowfall usually occurs during cooler periods in an otherwise above average temperature period. It wasn't above normal during the end of December when most of the snow occurred (I think, haven't been following the Midwest much).
True. Though the snowfall usually occurs during cooler periods in an otherwise above average temperature period. It wasn't above normal during the end of December when most of the snow occurred (I think, haven't been following the Midwest much).
But how about Bridgeport having above normal means every single day from the 8th until the end of December and then breaking a daily snowfall record with a snowstorm on the 29th which ended up below normal. Check out the F6 data. Pretty interesting. Im convinced myself it doesnt have to be below normal for above normal snows, and wont ever look at above normal maps the same way in the winter. It means nothing as far as snowfall. National Weather Service Climate
As of January 1st 2013 we have more snow on the ground in the U.S then in the past 10yrs! And records only go back 10 years calculating the percentages..
That's not exactly accurate. There have been higher snowpack percentages in 2010 and 2011, but this is the highest percent of snow cover on January 1 on record (not that 10 years of records mean squat, but it's better than nothing).
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But more interestingly.... While there were only a few local spots below normal for the month of December, most of the nation was ABOVE normal... yet... Snow cover went from 13% to 66% of the U.S covered with snow.
Moral of the story here is that the maps we see do not factor in daily events and the fact of the matter is, there could be snowstorms with above normal temps on average.
In my view the moral of the story is that late December turned cold in most of the country, and the previous warm and bare period buoyed the averages . If the pattern for the last week of December persisted for a whole month, most of the map would be green and blue instead of yellow and red. Daily events play a part, too, but it's mostly the luck of the draw, and in any case if the pattern was above normal in late December the southern snow-covered region wouldn't have lasted this long.
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Originally Posted by jeffdoorgunner
So. you enjoy droughts more......?
Personally, I prefer a winter that is cold, dry, and snowy . Although drought can and often is a source of disaster, I like to point out that drought is relative. I've been in places that were mud-logged while supposedly being abnormally dry or in a moderate drought (I'm not saying this isn't the norm, but it does happen). However, the sort of drought the Great Plains is facing is a different beast. Nowhere that is in an extreme or exceptional drought will have muddy ground. Also, in a moderate drought agriculture continues in a quasi-normal state, but extreme droughts are much tougher on farmers.
That's not exactly accurate. There have been higher snowpack percentages in 2010 and 2011, but this is the highest percent of snow cover on January 1 on record (not that 10 years of records mean squat, but it's better than nothing)..
Yes, correct. It's not the highest percentage ever its the highest percentage as of January 1st in past 10yrs. Some years melted beforehand, some years didnt have as much snow as December did, either way it was on the ground as of January 1st and higher than the so called blockbuster years of 2010. Pretty impressive under a warm nation for the month.
It should start disappearing next week. We might drop to 30 something percent maybe less.
Do you guys remember when every single state has snow on it even Florida? I believe it was Feb. 2009? Not sure.
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. If the pattern for the last week of December persisted for a whole month, most of the map would be green and blue instead of yellow and red. Daily events play a part, too, but it's mostly the luck of the draw, and in any case if the pattern was above normal in late December the southern snow-covered region wouldn't have lasted this long.
. Although drought can and often is a source of disaster, I like to point out that drought is relative. I've been in places that were mud-logged while supposedly being abnormally dry or in a moderate drought (I'm not saying this isn't the norm, but it does happen). However, the sort of drought the Great Plains is facing is a different beast. Nowhere that is in an extreme or exceptional drought will have muddy ground. Also, in a moderate drought agriculture continues in a quasi-normal state, but extreme droughts are much tougher on farmers.
