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The clouds parted somewhat around 2 pm, and the sun warmed us four degrees in about an hour, so today we actually exceeded the forecast of 42 and got up to 46. It was also nice to see the blue sky after it being mostly absent for the last ten or so days.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Stitch227
Cool graphic. But isn't it usually warmer at the surface because of a lower altitude? Or is it possible when warmer air rises when two fronts collide?
Cold air is denser than warm air, so when a cold and warm air mass collide, the cold airmass generally cuts under the warm one, and that can cause things like freezing rain
Above average, dry, and sunny today. Low of 62F and a high of 78F. Dews have been in the 50's all day so it feels really comfortable. Sadly we're seeing another year go by where the only months with a chance of cool weather aren't delivering.
Cool graphic. But isn't it usually warmer at the surface because of a lower altitude? Or is it possible when warmer air rises when two fronts collide?
Quote:
Originally Posted by FirebirdCamaro1220
Cold air is denser than warm air, so when a cold and warm air mass collide, the cold airmass generally cuts under the warm one, and that can cause things like freezing rain
Right, cold air can get trapped at the lower levels especially in mid Winter and with no sun out but lets use current storm situation. Wasn't any fronts.
Storms spin counter clockwise, right? Look at the temps at the mid levels here.
The storm is off Long Island, it's above freezing at 5000 feet. 40s up there, 30s at the surface.
All that warmth from the storm is spinning counter clockwise into land. Even Maine is getting sleet, ice, and a mess. Some areas have a thicker layer of warmth above, some just have like 2000 feet of it. (SEE BELOW)
Then Look on the back side of the storm, cold air filtering back in so precip is changing from rain to sleet and snow in some areas now..
Altitude between 4000' - 5000' was at or above freezing. Only 1000 feet! Small layer but enough to ruin snow chances. This would be snow+sleet at the time.
Then it drops below freezing from 5000-6500'. Then back above freezing from 6500-9500'.
Bottom line, the entire column from surface to stratosphere doesn't have to be smooth. Warmth can be just a small layer anywhere under 10,000'.
Thanks, great explanation! It's crazy how many layers there are to climatology and weather forecasting, there are so many variables it's never really clear what could happen past a couple weeks in the future, which makes weather so unpredictable and exciting!
Thanks, great explanation! It's crazy how many layers there are to climatology and weather forecasting, there are so many variables it's never really clear what could happen past a couple weeks in the future, which makes weather so unpredictable and exciting!
Yup. Exactly!! And that's why I'm glad I'm not a forecaster. It's a tough job. So many things to look at.
Look what's happening in the Berks and Hudson Valley! Rain changing to snow. Cold air is rushing in behind the system now. Lots of moisture still around!
My cousin at 1000' confirms this changeover and he's shoveling now. Crazy
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