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I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas???

It’s looking cold for the balance of 2009.  Temperatures are expected to be cold, possibly below freezing most days, through the end of the year, with the exception of this Thursday and Friday.  Typical of an El Nino pattern, generally dry conditions are also expected.  However, minor disturbances will pass by giving us occasional snow or flurry chances.  The first of these will be Saturday.  This system will produce a dusting to an inch.  As always, any given disturbance could intensify and give us several inches, or temporarily pull in warm air and rain, but for now it looks cold and dry.  A white Christmas?  It’s certainly possible in a pattern such as this.

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High Wind Warning–some damage likely

A high wind warning has been issued for the Cincinnati area for Wednesday and Wednesday night.  Details here. 

This wind event will likely see the strongest long duration winds since the remnants of Ike in September 2008.  While the winds this time will not be that strong, and there are no leaves on the trees to create such dramatic “sail” affects, winds gusting near 60 mph will almost certainly cause some damage.  There are still a number of damaged, cracked, decayed, and broken trees around which have not been taken care of.  Additionally, the ailing economy has caused some to put such tree work on the back burner.

The wind is being generated by what is likely to be the strongest winter storm in decades which will cause a crippling blizzard in the plains.  All of Iowa is under a blizzard warning with 8 to 16 inches of snow expected and drifts forecast of 8 to 15 feet (NWS Des Moines click here)!  Winter storm and blizzard conditions will stretch from California and Arizona to the Great Lakes.  For details on the storm, click here.

To summarize:

  • High winds will almost cetainly lead to damage and power outages Wednesday and Wednesday night.
  • Tree damage is likely, especially in trees already compromised by past storms or decay.
  • This will be a rather long duration event, lasting 18 to 24 hours.
  • Temperatures will drop below freezing before the winds subside.

 

One bright spot:  Very little rain has fallen in Cincinnati since November 1.  I found very dry soils during a job Tuesday.  This storm is forecast to generate an inch of  much needed rain in the Cincinnati metro area.

Summary from the National Weather Service:  Click here.