>Tropical Storm Washi kills over 436 people in Philippines, Chicago sees first snowfall, Cold weekend across UK & Ireland

Written by on December 17, 2011 in Rest of Europe with 0 Comments

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Today’s Weather Headlines

Asia Latest

Tropical Storm Washi Devastates Philippines killing over 436 people in flash flooding

At least 436 dead after storm pummels Philippines
CNN

Philippines storm kills hundreds in Mindanao flash floods
BBC

Philippines flood toll rises past 400
CBS NEWS

Europe Latest

Strong winds roar across Spain as jet stream sinks south ushering down coldest air of season across E. Europe but warmth looms

Over the next 48 hours, the coldest mid to upper level air of the season will cover the UK, Ireland all the way down through France, the Low Countries, Germany, across the Alps and into Italy. This is the coldest surge since last winter and with it will come low level rain, sleet and snow showers, stinging northwest winds and harsh night frosts along with widespread ice problems.

The above upper map courtesy of the ECMWF shows this air flow and deep cold trough well.

However, due to this air flow coming off Greenland but crossing the relatively warm North Atlantic, this could be colder had it come from the north or northeast. It also means that albeit a cold flow, the largescale direction of airflow is ATLANTIC and thus the duration as well as modification of this chill across western and central Europe is limited.

Whether the air is coming down from a cold-maritime northwest direction or mild southwesterly direction, their both Atlantic oriented and therefore open to change within short periods of time. The complete lack of blocking over the Atlantic means a fluid, fastmoving upper flow and thus any cold which does come, leaves within days and doesn’t hang around.

We have a perfect example coming up with cold, snow, ice and low temps currently covering Britain and much of W. Europe, however the next system is set to arrive and on it’s heels isn’t more chill but a bubble of high pressure from the southwest!

By Tuesday-Wednesday, warm high pressure will surge northeastwards from the central Atlantic bringing a return to warmer weather and in fact the mildest air to the UK in sometime.

The above map shows the building of this mild high pressure system which will push the jet north of the UK, allowing a strong southwesterly air flow and ultimately highs above 10C even up across Scotland. While the ridge builds over the UK, the cold pool and trough slides east bringing the chill to central and even eastern Europe.

Interesting run up to Christmas

Before you write off cold or even snow for Christmas, the ECMWF has continued to hold onto the idea of not only the return of cold but a storm system to barrel across the UK-Ireland on Christmas Eve. This may make for interesting model watching throughout the next week.

Below maps are for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.. Of course these will chance tenfold by then but it’s interesting to keep watch!

Spain battered by strong winds
THE WEATHER NETWORK

US Latest

Winter finally arrives across the Northeast following 3rd warmest November on record

Back to December in the Northeast
THE WEATHER CHANNEL

Cold Blast, Snow Bring Festive Feel to Northeast
ACCUWEATHER.COM

Snow takes aim from New Mexico to central Kansas

Snow Threat Begins Sunday Night in New Mexico, Arizona
ACCUWEATHER.COM

Severe Storms Target Texas Monday
ACCUWEATHER.COM

White Christmas 2010 vs. 2011: The Difference a Year Makes
ACCUWEATHER.COM

Chicago experiences first significant snow of season

Early-morning snow spawns multiple accidents
CHICAGO TRIBUNE

THE EXTREMES OF THE DAY

TODAY’S US EXTREMES
COURTESY OF ACCUWEATHER

HIGH: 82° at Fort Myers, FL
LOW: -18° at Angel Fire, NM

TODAY’S UK EXTREMES
COURTESY OF THE MET OFFICE

HIGH: 47° (8.4°C) at Culdrose (Cornwall)
LOW: 21° (-6°C) at Dalwhinnie (Highland)

TODAY’S EXTREMES HERE AT MY HOUSE

HIGH: 34°
LOW: 23°

SNOWCOVER: Covering (est .5″)

Thanks for reading.
-Mark

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