Calm spring unusual for North Texas
Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 8:36 am
By KARIN KELLY / WFAA ABC 8
DALLAS, Texas - Spring sprung over North Texas in a very quiet way, with weather that has been drier and less threatening than usual - even chilly on some days.
Many residents have said it's been perfect weather for festivals and other outdoor activities, though gardeners noticed the lack of rain.
"Usually by this time we've probably had a month of rain," said landscaper Rocky Matelski.
Aside from a couple major storms, this spring North Texans have been spared the frequent severe weather that pounds vehicles, damages homes and sends many running for cover.
National Weather Service meteorologist Walt Zaleski explained that the ingredients that cause big storms were just out of sync.
"This has been a relatively quiet season for us thus far," Zaleski said. "We've had jet streams flying high right over Texas; we've been absent of the low-level moisture that feeds those developing storms."
For conditions that produce severe weather, picture the atmosphere as a three-layer cake. Put lots of moisture and heat in the bottom layer, add cold air in the middle and throw some strong winds from the jetstream in the top. Voila - you've got a severe-weather cake.
However, experts say the potential for more threatening weather hasn't passed quite yet.
"Just because we've been a little bit quieter this season does not rule out the potential for severe weather for the remainder of our season here in North Texas," Zaleski said.
DALLAS, Texas - Spring sprung over North Texas in a very quiet way, with weather that has been drier and less threatening than usual - even chilly on some days.
Many residents have said it's been perfect weather for festivals and other outdoor activities, though gardeners noticed the lack of rain.
"Usually by this time we've probably had a month of rain," said landscaper Rocky Matelski.
Aside from a couple major storms, this spring North Texans have been spared the frequent severe weather that pounds vehicles, damages homes and sends many running for cover.
National Weather Service meteorologist Walt Zaleski explained that the ingredients that cause big storms were just out of sync.
"This has been a relatively quiet season for us thus far," Zaleski said. "We've had jet streams flying high right over Texas; we've been absent of the low-level moisture that feeds those developing storms."
For conditions that produce severe weather, picture the atmosphere as a three-layer cake. Put lots of moisture and heat in the bottom layer, add cold air in the middle and throw some strong winds from the jetstream in the top. Voila - you've got a severe-weather cake.
However, experts say the potential for more threatening weather hasn't passed quite yet.
"Just because we've been a little bit quieter this season does not rule out the potential for severe weather for the remainder of our season here in North Texas," Zaleski said.