Texas Winter 2012-2013

[horselattitudesfarm]

People should really wish for cold and wet. Early Warmth will probably only result in more drought. East Texas has been getting some rain, southwest Texas has not. Not going to be a good situation around here.

I like cold and wet. It has been lacking this winter, especially cold. I do not want another drought.

Time to move away from Texas then

[Portastorm]

I would be curious to find out if the extreme deforestation that is taking place in the Mexican high plateaus between the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental mountain ranges is causing the air down there to become even drier and warmer and , in turn, strengthening the capping inversion that limits rainfall here in Texas. This just one more variable that could be affecting our weather. I was reading about the deforestation and know that the plateau area is the birthplace of the Texas cap. Nothing in the atmosphere happens in isolation. Maybe I could start another thread with this, but the last time I did I didn't get any responses. Maybe they should paint the whole area white to cool it down to weaken the cap.

I'm convinced that situations like you reference have at least some impact on the real weather. That is a real interesting thought, horselattitudesfarm, and something probably worthy of greater research. It has already been proven that things like the urban heat island effect have bearing on real weather, so I don't see why a variable like this wouldn't. And at least anecdotally it seems like our spring severe season at least in south central Texas isn't anything like it was 10-15-20 years ago.

This might be something to post in the Texas Spring thread as we start to kick around weather ideas in March.

[Palmer divide shadow]

I am in Colorado and its been warm and dry so its not a Texas thing

[gpsnowman]

That's it. I am throwing in the towel. Winter is done. My patience is over. The warmth is just too powerful. My oak tree is budding little green leaves and the weeds are out of control. My trip to Home Depot today sealed the deal. Fertilizer, week killer, mulch, bug spray, seeds for garden, and other springtime items were purchased today. I am sad to say but I want it to stay warm now. Now a late winter snow or cold snap will be a bonus but I am not counting on it. Severe storms, lawn care and baseball are on the table now. I don't even want to think about summer right now. As always I have enjoyed winter talk with more knowledgeable folks than me. This was a better winter than last and I like the trend. Hey, it is Texas. A normal winter with a few bouts of cold and snow/ice is all I ask. We had that early on but March is approaching so prospects are dim for any wild winter fun. Maybe next year one of big arctic highs will drop down with some post frontal precip. Maybe even all the way down to Houston

[vbhoutex]

I would be curious to find out if the extreme deforestation that is taking place in the Mexican high plateaus between the Sierra Madre Occidental and Sierra Madre Oriental mountain ranges is causing the air down there to become even drier and warmer and , in turn, strengthening the capping inversion that limits rainfall here in Texas. This just one more variable that could be affecting our weather. I was reading about the deforestation and know that the plateau area is the birthplace of the Texas cap. Nothing in the atmosphere happens in isolation. Maybe I could start another thread with this, but the last time I did I didn't get any responses. Maybe they should paint the whole area white to cool it down to weaken the cap.

I'm convinced that situations like you reference have at least some impact on the real weather. That is a real interesting thought, horselattitudesfarm, and something probably worthy of greater research. It has already been proven that things like the urban heat island effect have bearing on real weather, so I don't see why a variable like this wouldn't. And at least anecdotally it seems like our spring severe season at least in south central Texas isn't anything like it was 10-15-20 years ago.

This might be something to post in the Texas Spring thread as we start to kick around weather ideas in March.

As we have seen here in Texas and even the Midwest and elsewhere, heat helps make drought, drought makes heat, heat helps ... so I find your observation very interesting. I certainly would think if the area deforested is large enough that it would have an effect on upstream weather.

[Texas Snowman]

Not giving up on Feb. 16. Will go down with the winter weather ship. I will never go to the dark side!

[Portastorm]

Well gang, on the plus side it looks like we have several good opportunities for badly needed rainfall over the next 10 days. Those of us who have put our winter hopes to bed for another season can at least take some solace in that.

[Portastorm]

On a more depressing note, I did a little research this morning and found that one would have to go back to the early 90s to find a two-year period where Austin did not experience even a minor winter weather event. So, essentially, it has been roughly two decades since we have seen two consecutive "winter" periods of no ice or snow or sleet events in Austin.

The optimist in me says next year we're a LOCK to get at least one event!

[GRAYSONCO.WX]

Anybody see the latest NAM and GFS for Wednesday? It holds the cold air across parts of Oklahoma and northeast Texas; possibly allowing for some wintry fun.

[horselattitudesfarm]

Anyone want to take bets on when (or if) Lake Travis lake levels will fall below last year's levels?


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[Tireman4]

And to make Ms. Screamer feel even better, I mowed, weeded and edged my yard today. Yes, it actually needed it. Sigh. Washed and waxed both cars. Got up to 70 degrees too. So worn out, I am taking the day off from running. Got a 7 miler tomorrow. Boy, what a winter we are having. Sigh.....

[weatherdude1108]

On a more depressing note, I did a little research this morning and found that one would have to go back to the early 90s to find a two-year period where Austin did not experience even a minor winter weather event. So, essentially, it has been roughly two decades since we have seen two consecutive "winter" periods of no ice or snow or sleet events in Austin.

The optimist in me says next year we're a LOCK to get at least one event!

I got sleet at my house in January! Lasted less than 15 minutes, but hey!

[SaskatchewanScreamer]

And to make Ms. Screamer feel even better, I mowed, weeded and edged my yard today. Yes, it actually needed it. Sigh. Washed and waxed both cars. Got up to 70 degrees too. So worn out, I am taking the day off from running. Got a 7 miler tomorrow. Boy, what a winter we are having. Sigh.....

I would've been tickled pink to see snow all the way down from South Dakota to Houston! I do admit I want to see 6 feet of snow fall on South Dakota and Nebraska just to keep that damn heat away from here!!! However at the gardening site I post at the gardeners there are telling me they don't want any more cold or snow sent their way. Rain however they would give their eye teeth to get.

Obviously those that grow plants other than shrubs don't share the same feelings as you fellows.

[South Texas Storms]

Well gang, on the plus side it looks like we have several good opportunities for badly needed rainfall over the next 10 days. Those of us who have put our winter hopes to bed for another season can at least take some solace in that.

Yep Porta. Rain is so much more important to our area than cold temperatures. I really don't want this year to be another drought year. We really need a wet spring. I'm hopeful!

[GaryHughes]

The Gfs 00z+60 is showing snow over North Texas.

[South Texas Storms]

The Gfs 00z+64 is showing snow over North Texas.

I don't see that?

[GaryHughes]

The Gfs 00z+64 is showing snow over North Texas.

I don't see that?

I was looking at twister data here on the model site.

[wxman57]

The Gfs 00z+60 is showing snow over North Texas.

Was looking at that 00Z run projected soundings and they look just goofy. Strong SE wind and falling temps with snow?? GFS is on crack.

[Tireman4]

I hate to admit this. I really do not want to, but the Dark Lord of Summer has pushed me over to it. I think, for all practical purposes ( in this person's non meteorological mind) , winter is over. I am sorry. I so want to be wrong, but this feels like March. Sigh.

[GaryHughes]

The Gfs 00z+60 is showing snow over North Texas.

Was looking at that 00Z run projected soundings and they look just goofy. Strong SE wind and falling temps with snow?? GFS is on crack.

Well, I thought for a moment I was on something!
Rain probably not snow.