NATIONAL STORM SUMMARY

 

JANUARY 2011

 

16^th-22^nd…Multiple weather features affected the nation on MLK Day. A low pressure system that developed in the Southern Plains continued skirting eastward and over the Gulf states. This system picked up moisture and strength from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, then triggered periods of heavy rain and strong thunderstorms. Some of the storms turned severe and created 60 mph winds and dime size hail in Bradenton, Florida. A rotating funnel cloud was reported at Port Saint John, Florida. Strong winds also blew down power lines in Marathon, Florida. Heavy rains developed across southern Florida with total accumulations between 1 to 2 inches. Key West, Florida reported a mid-day total of 3.81 inches of rain. In the North, a low pressure system moved into the Plains from the Northern Rockies.

Snow and Ice moved through the Northeast on Tuesday bringing sloppy conditions to the region. For the most part snowfall was minimal with accumulated snow generally less than 2-4 inches. By late afternoon the precipitation tapered off throughout the Mid-Atlantic and was beginning to end throughout the southern portion of New England. In the evening, snow was mixed with rain and sleet throughout portions of New York and Massachusetts, and coastal locations received mostly rain. Further inland, precipitation fell mainly as snow, especially in the higher elevations.

Another strong Winter storm pounded the Northeast as it swept northeastward into the Canadian Maritimes. While this storm was not as strong as the past few storms that have buried the Northeast, several inches of new snow fell on much of New England. Behind this storm, strong winds blew through the Northeast and blew the newly fallen snow, causing visibility problems. In contrast to the active weather in the East, the only areas of active weather in the West was in Washington and Oregon. Moist flow off the Pacific Ocean continued to produce rain and high elevation snow from the coast of Washington through Idaho.

 

23^rd-31^st…There were two main areas of active weather on Tuesday. First, a strong low pressure system moved along the Gulf Coast and picked up a tremendous amount of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico. This moisture translated to widespread rain that was moderate to heavy in intensity. The heaviest rain fell in northern Florida and along the Southeast Coast and even consisted of some thunderstorms. This intense rain threatened to produce tornadoes in the Florida peninsula, thus Tornado Watches were posted in the afternoon. By late afternoon, the rain was confined to this area, while only a few showers were noted in the Lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast. Second, areas of snow moved through the Northeast. Winter Storm Watches were in effect for a swath of the country from the Appalachians through the New England coast in anticipation of more snow that will move into the area on Wednesday.

More active weather developed in the East Wednesday as another major winter storm took shape over the Mid-Atlantic. The system brought swaths of mixed precipitation and a few thunderstorms to parts of the Southeast, Central Appalachians, and the northern Mid-Atlantic through the morning and afternoon. Wrap around winds associated with this inland system also provided significant snow over the southern New England areas. Strong winds combined with freshly fallen snow to create periods of blowing snow and ultimately lowered visibilities. Areas from the eastern Tennessee and southern Ohio Valleys through New England remained under Winter Weather Advisories and Winter Storm Warnings through the afternoon as the system moved up the Eastern Seaboard.

 

Jim G. Munley, jr.
http://www.jimmunleywx.com