Sunday December 18 – It’s been quite a day in Maryland. After yesterday’s ice storm, temperatures were near freezing overnight and they jumped in 1 hour in Baltimore from 34°F at 2AM to 54°F at 3 AM. Nearly 12 hours later the reversal of fortune came with the arctic cold front and stirred up a lot of turbulence. At BWI the 1 PM temperatures was 62°F, then 2 PM was 48°F, and 3PM was 44°F. This came with wind gusts between 45 and 55 mph. That can easily stir up vortices or mini rotations, which was seen in many areas today across central Maryland today prompting many people to ask if there was a tornado. I think a few were possible.

This first image from Brandy Pennington was taken at Edgemere/Sparrows Point, just east of Baltimore. She was debating with her son whether this was a tornado (or waterspout) or just fog being lifted.  There were low level clouds and sometimes active weather can display SCUD clouds (scattered cumulus under deck) below the main cloud base that can sometimes look like a funnel. But check out the follow up image she shared. This alone looks like there is some rotation and uplift of moisture with a funnel cloud trying to develop. Over the water this would be a waterspout. The video below this photo helps confirm the possibility with a potential tornado over land to the north.

 

Video Of Tornado Trying To Form

Emily Fleming sent me this video showing the rotation of a similar looking cloud formation. This was located in Rising Sun, Cecil County. That is about 50 miles northeast of Edgemere, but along the same front at the same time. What do you think?

 

See my morning forecast post highlighting the temperature contrast

 

Other Interesting Cloud Photos With Cold Front Today

Thanks to all that shared their pictures

 

 

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

Get 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