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Forecasting / Re: Spring/Summer Weather Discussion Thread
« on: July 03, 2013, 01:04:13 PM »With an upper-level high in the West causing a tremendous heat wave and an upper-level low in the East causing cool temperatures and relentless rain, we have been stuck right in the "middle" with northerly flow, resulting in well-below average temperatures. Whereas daytime highs have only been a few degrees below average, morning lows have been close to records.
Yesterday (July 2), DFW was only one degree shy from tying a record low of 65 degrees, set in 1924 and 1924.
Today (July 3), DFW was two degrees shy from tying the record low of 63 degrees, set in 1924.
Waco, TX (about an hour south of here) saw a different story. As they are away from the city and are not subject to urban heating, they set not only a record low of 58 degrees this morning, breaking the old record of 64 degrees in 1924, but also an all-time record low for July, which was formerly 60 degrees.
I find it incredible how many record lows parts of the Southern Plains have experienced so far this year. And to think that only two years ago we were dealing with the hottest summer on record!
The Northern Plains has warmed up quite a bit and gotten significantly drier thanks to this rather...stagnant...upper level pattern. Thankfully, we got enough rainfall beforehand that drought conditions have not yet developed across our area. We've been in the 80s with lows in the 60s - still very nice weather. We've yet to have a 90 degree day here.
Models are all showing that the ridge will begin to break down in a few days, allowing for zonal flow to take over for the next couple of days. Periodic bouts of showers and thunderstorms will be possible during this time, with the potential for a few isolated strong storms early next week across the North Central States.
This is the third violent tornado to hit that area in the past 15 years.