Texas winter wx thread (2009-2010)

[wxman22]

Found this in the NWS forecast for my area on Sunday night. Where did this come from?

Its an error....

[Portastorm]

I'm surprised none of y'all accused me of hacking into the NWS forecast system or something!

Nope. No snow here. We did have some moderate virga this morning though. Almost blotted out the sun. I can't tell you how exciting that was.

Meanwhile, I'm rather skeptical of the GFS-advertised event for later next week. Too much warm air around and with the EPO being positive that means generally a zonal flow and the cold air gets cut off in Canada and points north. I do however think it could be a generous rain producer.

[Ntxw]

For what it's worth (again not really experienced in looking at details) the model(s) do show the potential for this storm to tap into cold air (I see a nosing of air from Canada on the EC and Gem along with the gfs) on the backside from what I see around 160ish hrs and on. Correct me if I'm wrong. The FW nws snippet this afternoon has the window open for opportunities. Snow or no snow this could be a severe weather threat if it's a warm storm.

[Portastorm]

By the way, tonight's forecasted low at Austin Bergstrom of 10 degrees, should it verify, will be the fourth coldest low temperature in recorded history at that location. That is a testament to the strength of this Arctic outbreak.

We did climb above freezing for an hour or two in the central metro area but most places outside the city did not break freezing. Of course, temps are now sliding downhill.

[srainhoutx]

This storm has the potential to be a major news maker from CA to TX. Another looong week ahead. Portastorm, Did you see my virga snow shower pic in the SE TX thread?

[Portastorm]

This storm has the potential to be a major news maker from CA to TX. Another looong week ahead. Portastorm, Did you see my virga snow shower pic in the SE TX thread?

I did see it, srainhoutx! Impressive. It was virga-ing so hard at your place you could hardly see the sun! Did you have reduced visibilities? Did they issue a Virga Storm Warning for Houston today?!

I should have taken a pic from Austin this morning when we had similar weather. I never think of these things which is why YOU won Member of the Month and not me.

[jasons2k]

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON/GALVESTON TX
229 PM CST FRI JAN 8 2010

.DISCUSSION...
UNSEASONABLY COLD WEATHER

'tis the winter season

[txagwxman]

By the way, tonight's forecasted low at Austin Bergstrom of 10 degrees, should it verify, will be the fourth coldest low temperature in recorded history at that location. That is a testament to the strength of this Arctic outbreak.

We did climb above freezing for an hour or two in the central metro area but most places outside the city did not break freezing. Of course, temps are now sliding downhill.

Actually that is wrong...Bergstrom is out in the boonies now and reads extremely cold at night...before the therm was located in at the old airport closer to downtown Austin and was much warmer...there are record lows all the time at Bergstrom now. But that is darn cold 10F...I am curious where Conroe/Hooks will end up on the north side of Houston...probably 16-17F.

[Portastorm]

By the way, tonight's forecasted low at Austin Bergstrom of 10 degrees, should it verify, will be the fourth coldest low temperature in recorded history at that location. That is a testament to the strength of this Arctic outbreak.

We did climb above freezing for an hour or two in the central metro area but most places outside the city did not break freezing. Of course, temps are now sliding downhill.

Actually that is wrong...Bergstrom is out in the boonies now and reads extremely cold at night...before the therm was located in at the old airport closer to downtown Austin and was much warmer...there are record lows all the time at Bergstrom now. But that is darn cold 10F...I am curious where Conroe/Hooks will end up on the north side of Houston...probably 16-17F.

It may be wrong ... but, good sir, I was merely reporting what was written in this afternoon's AFD by NWSFO Austin/San Antonio.

But you certainly are right about the reporting nature of Bergstrom, because of its location in a little valley by the Colorado River, often has lows much lower than the other reporting station -- Camp Mabry -- which is located just to the northwest of downtown Austin.

[txagwxman]

By the way, tonight's forecasted low at Austin Bergstrom of 10 degrees, should it verify, will be the fourth coldest low temperature in recorded history at that location. That is a testament to the strength of this Arctic outbreak.

We did climb above freezing for an hour or two in the central metro area but most places outside the city did not break freezing. Of course, temps are now sliding downhill.

Actually that is wrong...Bergstrom is out in the boonies now and reads extremely cold at night...before the therm was located in at the old airport closer to downtown Austin and was much warmer...there are record lows all the time at Bergstrom now. But that is darn cold 10F...I am curious where Conroe/Hooks will end up on the north side of Houston...probably 16-17F.

It may be wrong ... but, good sir, I was merely reporting what was written in this afternoon's AFD by NWSFO Austin/San Antonio.

But you certainly are right about the reporting nature of Bergstrom, because of its location in a little valley by the Colorado River, often has lows much lower than the other reporting station -- Camp Mabry -- which is located just to the northwest of downtown Austin.

Very correct...Bergstrom already down to 20F! I am hoping these clouds stay in a little longer here.

[wgdade]

Just thought I would share a few thoughts on next weekend’s storm potential. If the GFS comes true this would be a set up for a very significant snowstorm. Soundings show a saturated column up to around 250mb. Being that most of East Texas would be on the NW side of the low, a very heavy wet snow could develop. QPF shows around 1-2 inches of liquid precip. Long way out but very interesting to say the least. Right now surface temps are forecast to be a bit on the warm side but the column would probably cool with heavy precip.

As for tonight, very cold south of Tyler. I am already down to 16F!

[txagwxman]

Could be single digits in NW Travis county...one weather station is already 17F.

[iorange55]

Just thought I would share a few thoughts on next weekend’s storm potential. If the GFS comes true this would be a set up for a very significant snowstorm. Soundings show a saturated column up to around 250mb. Being that most of East Texas would be on the NW side of the low, a very heavy wet snow could develop. QPF shows around 1-2 inches of liquid precip. Long way out but very interesting to say the least. Right now surface temps are forecast to be a bit on the warm side but the column would probably cool with heavy precip.

As for tonight, very cold south of Tyler. I am already down to 16F!

Next weekend's headline are either "Huge snowstorm hits North, and east Texas!" Or " Weekend brings Cold, wet, messy rain"

[Ntxw]

Also it looks to be a deepening storm. There would be very strong winds associated with it. Tex'easter?

GFS continues it's relentless eyes on this storm! lol yawn

[sensoria]

18.3 here in south Austin, already... .... Congress and Slaughter area...

[wxgirl69]

I hear cold for the end of next week.. As I look at different weather web sites I do not see any real cold temps for next week. Is that becasue it's still several days away and they are not going to sound any alarms until they get a better handle on the situation. Also, will this be happening after Wednesday.. My husband works offshore and will be coming in on Wednesday afternoon and I sure don't want any flight delays..

[CYCLONE MIKE]

Just thought I would share a few thoughts on next weekend’s storm potential. If the GFS comes true this would be a set up for a very significant snowstorm. Soundings show a saturated column up to around 250mb. Being that most of East Texas would be on the NW side of the low, a very heavy wet snow could develop. QPF shows around 1-2 inches of liquid precip. Long way out but very interesting to say the least. Right now surface temps are forecast to be a bit on the warm side but the column would probably cool with heavy precip.

As for tonight, very cold south of Tyler. I am already down to 16F!

Our local guys over here in SE LA have brought it up a couple of times as well. They said we could expect heavy rains and a possible severe storm outbreak. Also said there would be a cold side but it would affect the the ARKLAMISS area with snow rain every where else. I have no faith in their forecast beyond 6 hours they were saying highs in the 50's for saturday for us two days ago. Now it is 36. Go figure.

[wxman22]

GFS looks nice

[austinrunner]

Actually that is wrong...Bergstrom is out in the boonies now and reads extremely cold at night...before the therm was located in at the old airport closer to downtown Austin and was much warmer...there are record lows all the time at Bergstrom now. But that is darn cold 10F...I am curious where Conroe/Hooks will end up on the north side of Houston...probably 16-17F.

This is wrong. Bergstrom was an air force base before it became the city airport. The weather reporting station there has always been in the same location. The Camp Mabry reporting station was created when the old Mueller airport shut down.

[pwrdog]

That storm look's like what the 1895 storm might have looked like...

It must have had colder weather to work with in 1895 considering how much snow fell on galveston..

My great grand father was 11 years old when it hit..
He told me he jumped off the front porch near Kountze Texas and the snow was up to his waist.... 10 foot drifts were common..

He also said there was a lot on lightning during the heaviest part of the storm.. and roof damage was very extensive... Their barn collapsed...




Most of East Texas and SE La got 16+ inches of snow.. A few got 30 to 40 inches farther inland...
--------------------------------------

Since I first heard the story I always wondered if I would live long enough to see something like that..

I have my doubts...

The christmas eve storm south of houston a few years back was impressive at times...

Some snowfall rates hit 4 inches per hour..

-------------------------------------------

I'm pretty sure we will get some rain for sure..