Monday, December 23, 2013

I'm Dreaming of a Dry Christmas



Most people in South Carolina usually dream of a white Christmas.  There have been so few times that it has happened in this area.  In fact Climate Central did the calculations and the chances are less that 1% of seeing a white Christmas in Columbia.  Where is the best place to be?  See the map below:

The chance of seeing a white Christmas across the U.S.  Click on the image for a larger version.  Image Credit: Climate Central.

Even though the map shows the historical odds of a white Christmas, the actual amount of snow in a given location can vary a lot from year to year due to natural weather variations.  For example, this year, U.S. snow cover in mid-December was the largest it’s been in a decade.  Outside the U.S., it’s worth noting that Siberia, generally one of the coldest places on Earth for this time of year, had a scorching November with temperatures up to 14°F higher than normal.  That warm trend has continued into December, leaving a "snow shortage".  We can identify with a snow shortage.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Weather's Ups & Downs



It has been like a roller coaster for temperatures since late October beginning with a freeze on the 26th Columbia, SC, when the temperature dropped to 30°F.  This came after an exceptionally warm fall.  Here is a look at the ups and downs since October 26th:

Month
Date
Temp

Oct
26
30°


30
82°

Nov
4
38°


6
77°


9
32°


10
72°


14
23°
New Record Low

18
85°
New Record High; Trace of Snow Evening

19
38°


22
76°


25
22°


26
71°


28
23°

Dec
6
82°
Record High Tied

13
25°


21
81°
New Record High

The forecast for the 22nd of December is for record high temperatures with much colder weather returning for Christmas Day.  Thus the roller coaster will continue for a while.

What is causing this?