Texas Winter 2010-2011

[wxman57]

It appears to show about 0.05" precip falling in Houston Wednesday with surface temps below 32. Note 850mb temps well above freezing, indicating freezing rain vs. snow:


For Dallas, though, it's another story. Quite an ice/snow storm for you folks Wednesday! Maybe 5-8".

[iorange55]

And the models go back to a little bit bigger storm for us.....come on foot of snow!

[weatherrabbit_tx]

I really would have like to diagnose everything prior to the event but I was out of town at a conference for the week. Just got home this evening.

NAM busted on the warm tongue, even on the 18z run. GFS had it nailed on the 18z run. RUC also had it on the 18z runs.

We just need a sounding over Houston...

Even Tim Heller at CH 13 talked about the need for soundings here. He said it was part of the reason for the bust. As you state though, and Larry Cosgrove pointed out to me and Kelly, GFS and RUC showed it without the soundings so it can't all be put to the lack of soundings. I do think that anyone that knows weather would agree that we do need those soundings to really make for better forecasting for SE TX and the Gulf Coast. Now the question is what is the next week going to bring us? We're already hearing winter precip possible from some of the local OCMs.

hgx are the only ones in texas not to do soundings?

[wall_cloud]

And the models go back to a little bit bigger storm for us.....come on foot of snow!

hasn't the present disruption in commerce (not to mention everyday life) been enough for you?

[wall_cloud]

hgx are the only ones in texas not to do soundings?

The only upper air sites IN Texas are Amarillo, Midland, Ft Worth, Corpus Christi, & Brownsville. Shreveport, Norman, Lake Charles, Dodge City, Albuquerque and Santa Teresa (El Paso) are nearby offices.

Those in TX that do not do soundings are Houston, San Antonio, Lubbock and San Angelo. I wish they all did but the financial aspect is the obvious killer).

[Air Force Met]

you are right. Don't take my post wrong either. It wasn't a criticism but more of a hindsight look back at what occurred. That is very difficult in near real time.

No...I understand. I guess my point was that just with what we KNEW...or could approximate...we should have known it was more a freezing rain event. Given the FORECASTED temps (not even knowing they were in actuality warmer)...and the forecasted thickness...it all pointed to FR. Rain. -8C and the thicknesses were enough to know the outcome...even giving what we THOUGHT they were.

[wall_cloud]

yeah, like I've said before, I do not rely on thicknesses EVER. I live by the bufr soundings. Bufkit rules.

[iorange55]

And the models go back to a little bit bigger storm for us.....come on foot of snow!

hasn't the present disruption in commerce (not to mention everyday life) been enough for you?

Again it's more of a joke than anything, but if mother nature wants to dump a foot of snow on us then I am all for breaking records.

[downsouthman1]

hgx are the only ones in texas not to do soundings?

The only upper air sites IN Texas are Amarillo, Midland, Ft Worth, Corpus Christi, & Brownsville. Shreveport, Norman, Lake Charles, Dodge City, Albuquerque and Santa Teresa (El Paso) are nearby offices.

Those in TX that do not do soundings are Houston, San Antonio, Lubbock and San Angelo. I wish they all did but the financial aspect is the obvious killer).

Is this to insinuate that those offices (Houston, San Antonio, Lubbock and San Angelo) don't have sufficient budgets? Or maybe I'm asking that the wrong way. I just would figure that at least Houston at least, from a financial standpoint, would be OK?

[wall_cloud]

all of these offices fall under the same budget. The locations were chosen strategically (to maximize spatial coverage), not financially. Otherwise, Elko NV wouldn't have upper air.

[downsouthman1]

all of these offices fall under the same budget. The locations were chosen strategically (to maximize spatial coverage), not financially. Otherwise, Elko NV wouldn't have upper air.

Oh, I see. Thanks for the clarification.

[weatherrabbit_tx]

hgx are the only ones in texas not to do soundings?

The only upper air sites IN Texas are Amarillo, Midland, Ft Worth, Corpus Christi, & Brownsville. Shreveport, Norman, Lake Charles, Dodge City, Albuquerque and Santa Teresa (El Paso) are nearby offices.

Those in TX that do not do soundings are Houston, San Antonio, Lubbock and San Angelo. I wish they all did but the financial aspect is the obvious killer).

appreciate the info, I feel likewise. great for both winter and/or tropical events too!

[funster]

And the models go back to a little bit bigger storm for us.....come on foot of snow!

hasn't the present disruption in commerce (not to mention everyday life) been enough for you?

Again it's more of a joke than anything, but if mother nature wants to dump a foot of snow on us then I am all for breaking records.

Hope mother nature cleared out most of the weak tree branches with last year's foot of snow.

[wall_cloud]

hgx are the only ones in texas not to do soundings?

The only upper air sites IN Texas are Amarillo, Midland, Ft Worth, Corpus Christi, & Brownsville. Shreveport, Norman, Lake Charles, Dodge City, Albuquerque and Santa Teresa (El Paso) are nearby offices.

Those in TX that do not do soundings are Houston, San Antonio, Lubbock and San Angelo. I wish they all did but the financial aspect is the obvious killer).

appreciate the info, I feel likewise. great for both winter and/or tropical events too!

convective as well. Never underestimate the value of a sounding.

[Ntxw]

Looks like the super bowl forecast is going to be a damp and cold one with light snow/mix possible later in the day. What great weather for grilling!!! Those holding those $200 party tickets at the outside endzones won't be too happy

[wall_cloud]

Here is a good write-up from NWS Amarillo on the recent Arctic outbreak and related wind chills.

NWS Amarillo

[wall_cloud]

More Winter Weather Summaries:

NWS Lubbock
NWS Midland
NWS San Antonio
NWS Brownsville

[Ntxw]

Melting is happening nicely. I'd say the ice on the road is virtually gone (thank goodness). Grassy areas and elevated surfaces are still covered nicely, but you can tell that the tip tops of roofs are beginning to melt! DFW is sitting at a BALMY 38. Shorts weather

[gboudx]

I hope Wednesday is the end of it. I'm sick of it. I'm about to go do a no-snow dance.

[wall_cloud]

I hope Wednesday is the end of it. I'm sick of it. I'm about to go do a no-snow dance.

been warning the board. Be careful what you ask for