A cold lock on Northeast temperatures
So the calendar says that it is indeed Spring. We've seen the days getting longer, and still no sign of truly Spring-like weather.
This past Easter weekend we did manage a great deal of sunshine, and to be honest most of us are very grateful for any type of snow-free day at this point. But why so cold? We've been averaging 10-15 degrees BELOW the normal temperatures for this time of year. We should be in the mid 40's!
Well, during this transitional time from Winter to Spring, we see a lot more movement of the jet stream from north to south. During the winter months, the jet stream has a much more southerly position, averaging along the US/Mexico border states. The jet stream acts a lot like a barricade between warm and cold, with warm on the south side and cold on the north.
Typically we start to see the jet stream swing further north to allow us some glimpses of the warmer air during late March, but it has run into a few problems. The "polar vortex" is what us meteorologists call it. Basically, its a fairly stationary upper level low pressure system that forces all the cold air from northern Canada southward. The PV has been stationed in eastern Ontario and Quebec during this past weekend, a prime position to pump in the cold to the northeast and force the jet stream further south. It isn't until this polar vortex goes away that we will start to see our first signs of spring.
So when is it going to go away. This weather is disgusting.
ReplyDeleteI agree..no wonder people leave this crappy gray place.
ReplyDeleteWho wrote that? Are you an idiot? You get a paycheck? "but it has run into a few problems"! Are you not useless? "My computer model says I have no F$%^ing idea what will happen tomorrow really but here is what will happen 7 days from now, TRUST ME" (I get a paycheck).
ReplyDeletePS I reserve the right to change that from 40 and mostly sunny to 21 and a potential for 16" inches of snow, disregard what I said 7 days ago because now while it's actually happening I've change my mind (and my computer model has as well). I'll be on the news tonight to tell you how "fascinating and exciting" it is for a weatherman to "analyze this" (because I will continue to treat myself like a real scientist) while hoping noone remembers what I said 7 days ago (damn computer model, it's out to get me!)
your nuts they are the only ones that come close to getting it right. Maybe you should switch off your computer and change the channel.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand why people get angry at the weatherman. It's not like he's controlling the weather. He does his best to tell you what appears to be happening and what will most likely happen in the future. Sometimes things happen that cannot easily be predicted. I do understand why people get so testy though-the weather in Rochester can be frustrating!
ReplyDeleteFrustrating?? It's disgusting.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could pinpoint what got that person so upset. Bob wrote a detailed explanation about why the cold air has been so persistent. I challenge anyone to track our forecast, especially temperatures, to test our accuracy. Weather is sometimes tough a few hours out let alone a week away. We try our best and many of our viewers will tell you, we're pretty accurate.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Scott Hetsko
Absolutely Scott, you guys do a good job at forecasting. That person had a bug up their...
ReplyDelete