Saturday December 10 – Heavy snow measured in feet and bitter cold has made headlines from the Great Lakes and northern states. We have been focused on the chance of snow light snow or a wintry mix ahead of the next system. But the actual temperatures deserve to get some attention. It is December after all, and arctic air starts to influence our weather normally. I also know the mention of the Polar Vortex may conjure up memories of the 2014 winter freeze on the Chesapeake Bay and when some schools closed because it was too cold.

Please keep in mind that the circulation known as the Polar Vortex is expected to remain in Canada but skirt the US broader  just north of New York and New England… near Montreal.  It is a real thing, not media hype. It does drop south occasionally in the winter to bring us extremely cold air masses. Next week will be one of them. The ample supply of cold air is good for those with Faith in the Flakes to bring above average chances of a White Christmas. FITF.

The core of the main batch of (colder) air will arrive Thursday and be fully in place Friday. With reference to Baltimore, temperature are expected to be 15 to 20 degrees below average. On December 16, BWI would expect:

  • Low of 28°F
  • High of 45°F

Temperatures Friday morning will be closer to the record low of 10°F set in 1951

Note that computer models have climatology built in to longer range projections. So extreme air masses can be underestimated this far out since there is an anomaly with what we would normally experience this early in winter. Also, the extent of snow cover on the ground to our west and north will play a role in how cold the air to our north may be when it arrives.

Jet Stream —> slider: Tracking The Polar Vortex Next Week

[metaslider id=41110]

 

Temperature Outlook

 

 

Friday Morning Local Temps expected to range 10°F to 20°F

 

 

Temperature Outlook for BWI from GEFS Ensemble

Faith in the Flakes Online- Flannel PJs Printed Inside Out

Store Now Open

  • We’ve added Flannel PJ Pants that will be printed inside out. They have to be, to make it snow ?
  • Free Personal Delivery for orders of 20 items or more to schools and businesses.
  • Click this image for the online store.
  • Look for more items to be added soon.
  • Also see the info for the STEM Assembly Spirit Wear program:  Put your school name on the shirts and raise money for you PTO/PTA in the process.

 

FITF SNOW STICKS

thatcher_snowsticksAvailable in 2 Ft, 30 Inches, and 3 Ft Sizes. Also with Orange/Black or Purple/Black. Click on the image to see the options offered by my friend Thatcher at Signs By Tomorrow in Timonium.

Go to http://www.signsbytomorrow.com/timonium/ to order yours today! Click the ‘Request a Quote’ button at the top of the page. In comment box include color, size and payment information. Please indicate whether you’d like to have us UPS ship them to you or if you would like to pick up in our store. Snow Sticks will ship or will be ready for pick up in our store 48 hrs after order is placed, Mon-Fri.

Please share your thoughts, best weather pics/video, or just keep in touch via social media

Chip KidWxDevicesGet the award winning Kid Weather App I made with my oldest son and support our love for science, weather, and technology. Our 3 year anniversary of the release and our contribution to STEM education is this November. It has been downloaded in 60 countries, and works in both temperature scales. With your support we can expand on the fun introduction to science and real weather.

Also See:

My Winter Outlook for 2016-2017: Colder with snow spread out more

NOAA Winter Outlook for 2016 to 2017

La Nina Formed: What it could mean to our winter

Farmers Almanacs Split On Cold And Snow

Extreme Weather of 2015 balanced out on both ends

Low Snow Winters In Baltimore: Records Might Surprise You

NOAA Ranks Blizzard 2016 4th Worst Snowstorm On Record

Blizzard 2016 Record Top Snowstorm: Area Totals