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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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