Texas Winter 2016-2017

[gboudx]

Good to hear AFM is doing good. I miss his postings.

[wxman57]

I think this may be the first 100F temperature of the summer, I mean winter, in Texas...

[Brent]

Earliest 100 on record at McAllen

[wxman57]

When was the last time we were discussing temps of 100F in Texas in February? This reminds me very much of weather conditions in February of 1986. I recall many days like today with very few clouds and temps in the 80s (and a February high of 91). Similar in 1996. Wonder what the hurricane season will bring? Both 1986 and 1996 had quiet Gulf seasons, through 1996 was active on the East Coast.

[Brent]

It appears DFW only hit 88. I know it's sad lol

[Yukon Cornelius]

It appears DFW only hit 88. I know it's sad lol

92 here and then forecasted to be 28 tomorrow night. What strange weather this "winter".

[Brent]

FWD calling for "coat weather" tomorrow night

[JDawg512]

Planting tomatoes this weekend in the garden. Not expecting any significant cold the rest of the season that would adversly affect planting this early. I've noticed my neighbors have already planted tomatoes in their garden.

After the front early next week it looks fairly dry. Not too worried about it just yet since soil moisture is in good shape but this heat coupled with wind today are doing a good job at drying the top out.

[TheProfessor]

FWD calling for "coat weather" tomorrow night

I could actually go from seeing a twister tomorrow evening to having snow showers Saturday afternoon lol.

[Shoshana]

Was very surprised to see bats fly out from under the i35 bridge over Howard Ln tonight. First because I've never seen bats there before and second, I don't remember seeing them this early!

[srainhoutx]

Thursday evening briefing from Jeff:

Today marks the 17th time this winter BUSH IAH has hit 80 degrees…the most ever in a winter season.

The high today of 107 at Falcon Dam, if verified, would be the hottest temperature ever record in the entire US for the entire month of February!

While there are still a few days left, it appears that the winter of 16-17 (Dec-Feb) will become the warmest winter ever on record for Houston.

Hot weather will continue for one more day before a cold front over OK pushes across SE TX late Friday returning temperatures to near average for the weekend for a change. Compressional heating ahead of this front tomorrow along with SSW winds will result in a rapid warm up once morning low clouds and fog lift and scattered. Certainly could see mid 80’s again for much of the area and even some upper 80’s from Matagorda Bay toward College Station.

Cold front will cross the area dry Friday evening/night as there is little to no moisture to work with the boundary. Temperatures on Saturday will cool into the 40’s for lows and 60’s for highs or about normal for late February standards.

Fast moving storm system may clip the area late Sunday into Monday. GFS has come in much wetter (high rain chances) Sunday night into early Monday, but only shows modest QPF. Not sure we will have decent moisture in place that fast by late Sunday and main dynamics pass north of our region…so will go with the highest rain chances across the northern counties.

Another system arrives toward mid week with additional rain chances and some decent cold air advection of a Canadian air mass. Could be fairly cool by the end of next week with the GFS showing extensive upper level moisture over top of cold NE surface winds which would inhibit much heating…may only have highs in the 50’s by next Thursday.

[JDawg512]

Was very surprised to see bats fly out from under the i35 bridge over Howard Ln tonight. First because I've never seen bats there before and second, I don't remember seeing them this early!

That's pretty interesting. I was not aware that a colony had established there either. I've consistently seen people going to the Congress Avenue Bridge in the evenings throughout this winter which leads me to conclude that they never left. I haven't gone to see for myself but I don't see why a bunch of people would be standing along the east side of the bridge this time of year other than to watch the bats.

[gboudx]

Thursday evening briefing from Jeff:

Could be fairly cool by the end of next week with the GFS showing extensive upper level moisture over top of cold NE surface winds which would inhibit much heating…may only have highs in the 50’s by next Thursday.

Sounds like a challenge to wxman57.

[Shoshana]

Was very surprised to see bats fly out from under the i35 bridge over Howard Ln tonight. First because I've never seen bats there before and second, I don't remember seeing them this early!

That's pretty interesting. I was not aware that a colony had established there either. I've consistently seen people going to the Congress Avenue Bridge in the evenings throughout this winter which leads me to conclude that they never left. I haven't gone to see for myself but I don't see why a bunch of people would be standing along the east side of the bridge this time of year other than to watch the bats.

There's also a colony under the I35 bridge over McNeil that's been there a while. It's not nearly as big as the one under the Congress Ave bridge. Not really anywhere close to watch it. I see them come out if I'm going down I35 just when they take off. The panhandlers near the Howard Ln bridge would have a good view of those bats though.

I guess some do come early or stay through the winter, I have always thought they came back in March.

[Portastorm]

Thanks wxman57 for the report on AirForceMet (Nelson). I too really miss his presence on S2K. I'm glad he's doing well.

[wxman57]

Thursday evening briefing from Jeff:

Could be fairly cool by the end of next week with the GFS showing extensive upper level moisture over top of cold NE surface winds which would inhibit much heating…may only have highs in the 50’s by next Thursday.

Sounds like a challenge to wxman57.

Hmm, it does look like I may have to suffer through about 36 hours of mild winter weather next Thu/Fri. Fortunately, it's back to the 70s for the weekend. I think I can make it through that brief shot of "winter". Here's a meteogram from the 6Z GFS.

[wxman57]

Can you spot the differences between February 2017 and February 1989? Which would you choose? Fear not, I'll keep my hand off the thermostat next winter...

2017:


1989:

[Portastorm]

What magnanimous offer, sir. Remember that everyone ... Heat Miser promises to let things play out next winter without intervening.

[gboudx]

:uarrow:

What magnanimous offer, sir. Remember that everyone ... Heat Miser promises to let things play out next winter without intervening.

He said he'd keep his "hand" off the thermostat. He has 2 of those; along with 2 elbows and 2 feet as other options. Don't think for a second he's actually giving in.

[Yukon Cornelius]

Windchill in the upper 20s this morning sure is a huge difference from the low 90s yesterday.