Thursday December 19 2019
Happy Anniversary! It was 10 years ago today that we set a record in Baltimore at BWI. Initially 20.5″ of snow fell, but The National Weather Service (NWS) lowered the daily total to 17 inches, which is still a record and the most for any date in December. It was the first of three blizzards that winter, but also one of a few events NWS retroactively lowered totals. This was a point of contention not only with weather geeks like me, but how much federal dollars were allocated with the emergency that followed with clean up.
I remember doing special coverage on TV for that storm and saw multiple flashes of lightning and the dampened rumble of thunder in heavy snow at 3 AM in Towson. At points the snow was falling between 2 and 3 inches per hour. Winds did exceed 35 mph verifying this as a blizzard. What do you remember about that event?
Weather Today
The flurries yesterday and evening snow squall signaled the arctic air spilling in, and it is definitely here this morning. Temps have dropped and will struggle all day as most of the region will remain below freezing. Add in wind gusts to 30 mph and the wind chills are in the single digits for many kids at the bus stop. I think recess will be inside today.
Dress in your warmest clothing today. Winds will ease but we remain cold this afternoon. Then we set up a quiet pattern for the next week. This will allow temps to reach the lower 50s on Christmas. There will be some rain or snow returning before New Year’s, but we get a breather for a week.
Thursday December 19, 2019 in Baltimore
Average High: 44ºF
Record High: 66ºF in 1931
Average Low: 27ºF
Record Low: 6ºF in 1989
*Record Snow 17.0″ in 2009
Sunrise: 7:21 AM
Sunset 4:45 PM
*Daylight = 0:11 shorter than yesterday
*Bay Water Temperature = 42ºF at Thomas Pt. Light House
*We have almost caught back to balance out the excessive warmth*
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Tracking The Wind and Cold Today
This Morning
Noon
Afternoon: 4 PM
Looking Ahead
Polar Vortex Locked Up
Jet Stream 500mb Heights Around The Northern Hemisphere
This is a view looking down on the North Pole (in the center). The Polar Vortex appears to remain contained for the next week to 10 days. This is good for regeneration of arctic ice, but also growing the cold. I expect this will get dislodged in January and unleash bitter cold and feed an active storm pattern by the middle of next month.
December 19 to December 29 2019
Temperature Outlook
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WEATHER WIFE COLLECTION
- Thanks to Shannon (weather wife) for hand picking items ‘she’ wants to wear
- The Yoga Pants have side leg pocket for your phone
- The Hoodie is extra soft and has the important ‘thumb holes’
Winter Outlook Series:
Part 1: More Snow This Winter Supported By Stats
Part 2: Solar Minimum- Low Sunspots May Mean High Snow Totals This Winter
Part 3: Tropical Systems In East Asia and Atlantic Basin Hint At Winter Storm Tracks
Snowy Winters Following A Hot and Dry September
NOAA Winter Outlook Leaves Room For More Snow With Mild ‘Seasonal Average’ Temperatures
Baltimore Weather At BWI May Not Be As Hot As Reported
Construction at the airport close to the weather station may be added artificial heat. Click here or the image for the details.
Atmospheric Memory Shaped The US East Coast
Atmospheric Memory Of Hurricanes Over Thousands Of Years Shaped The Coast
Maryland Trek Cycle Jerseys From Hill Killer
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Thank you to our Title Sponsor for Maryland Trek 6
Shining on with Smyth and their contribution, our team has raised over $95,000 for Just In Power Kids to provide free programs for kids in and post cancer treatment.
Just In Power Kids:
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