David Bernard---channel 4 met

[bfez1]

His latest take on the cold coming our way:


"The NWS in Slidell noted, this afternoon, that we have never had a "white Christmas" in New Orleans. It sure was close in 1989 when it snowed on the 23rd. They also noted that a trace was observed on Christmas in 1954, but it was not measurable and obviously didn't stick.

Snow is tricky business. In fact, I might like a 5 day hurricane forecast more than a 5 day snow forecast. Anyone trying to predict snow, but especially accumulations 4 or 5 days out is going to have a tough time. Details on snow accumulations (if any) won't be able to be made with any certainty until 24 hours or less before the event.

The 12Z European is nasty looking, as well. It shows a significant Gulf low Christmas morning over the central Gulf of Mexico. A surface low positioned several hundred miles off the coast and a low at 850mb 100 or so miles off the coast actually means the heaviest snows, if they occur, would happen SOUTH of the lake. Not only would it be ironic, it would be historic.

The heaviest snow measured in the 20th century in New Orleans was 4.6" at Audubon Park in 1963. Of course, the blockbuster is the 1899 storm. I can't recall but I believe there was 8 or 9 inches in the French Quarter.

1973 snow is also memorable for many New Orleanians. I don't have how much fell in front of me, but it was a more modest inch or so. It was heavier south of the city, ironically. In Houston, I remember several inches of snow as a young'en.

John and I will have frequent posts as the week wears on. Again, at this point, in our opinion, this could run the gammit from a non-event to a historic snow over the Gulf South."





David Bernard
Meteorologist
WWL-TV
1024 North Rampart Street
New Orleans, LA 70116

[AL Chili Pepper]

I can't remember what year it was, but if I remember right it was some time in late December. Anyway, there was this massive cold wave that sent the temps down into the teens in mid-afternoon here in Mobile. There was talk of a low pressure forming in the SW Gulf and moving to our south, and giving us some of the rare stuff. It was cloudy all day with a bone-chilling wind chill. What happens? The low does form, but tracks too far south. Darn if it didn't snow in Florida with the low heading up the east coast and just dumping on the Carolinas. Maybe we can get lucky this time. I don't particularly like driving in it, but I'll make an exception for Christmas. Wow, that would be headlines everywhere.

[tdess02]

Not that it means a whole lot, but the local mets here in New Orleans are really starting to play the possiblility of a white Christmas up! One channel even had graphics showing a possible Rain/Snow line across SE LA. I would love to see it snow here as my kids have never even seen a flake. I just cant get excited yet because I have been very disapointed too many times. The conditions have to come together perfectly for it to snow in New Orleans, and i think the chances are slim. I dont see the moisture as being the missing ingreient. I think the cold air will have a hard time making it down through all levels here in SE LA.
We can hope though, and I for one will be wishing hard.

[Scorpion]

Would be even better if it snowed down in the peninsula .