Beau Dodson's WeatherTalk Blog

December 17, 2017: Short update today. Patchy fog/drizzle.


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Your daily forecast into the coming weekend.

December 17, 2017
Sunday Night Forecast Details:
Forecast
: Mostly cloudy.  Patchy fog and drizzle.
Temperatures
:    MO ~ 38 to 44      IL ~ 38 to 44       KY ~ 38 to 44
Wind chill values: 30’s
Accumulating snow or ice:  No
Winds
: South and southwest wind at 5 to 10 mph.  
What impacts are anticipated from the weather
? Lower visibility in fog.  Wet roadways.
My confidence in the forecast verifying
: High
Is severe weather expected
? No
The NWS defines severe weather as 58 mph wind or great, 1″ hail or larger, and/or tornadoes
Is freezing rain, sleet, or snow expected? None
What is the chance of precipitation?  MO ~ 10%    IL ~ 20%    KY ~ 20% 
Coverage of precipitation
:  Ending
Should I cancel my outdoor plans
: No
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December 18, 2017
Monday F
orecast Details
Forecast:  Cloudy with drizzle and fog possible before 12 pm.  Cloudy during the afternoon with a 20% for light rain or drizzle.
Temperatures:  MO ~ 53 to 56      IL ~ 53 to 56      KY ~ 53 to 56
Wind chill values: N/A
Accumulating snow or ice: No
Winds: West and southwest winds 5 to 10 mph
What impacts are anticipated from the weather? Lower visibility in fog during the morning hours.  Wet roadways.
My confidence in the forecast verifying: Medium
Is severe weather expected?  No
The NWS defines severe weather as 58 mph wind or great, 1″ hail or larger, and/or tornadoes
What is the chance of precipitation?  MO ~ 30%    IL ~ 30%    KY ~ 30%
Coverage of precipitation: Isolated showers or drizzle possible.
Should I cancel my outdoor plans? No
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Monday Night Forecast Details:
Forecast
: Quite a few clouds.  A slight chance of light rain.
Temperatures
:    MO ~ 42 to 46     IL ~ 40 to 45       KY ~ 43 to 46
Wind chill values: 35 to 45
Accumulating snow or ice:  No
Winds
: Southwest winds at 5 to 10 mph 
What impacts are anticipated from the weather
? Most likely none, but I will monitor a slight chance of precipitation
My confidence in the forecast verifying
: Medium
Is severe weather expected
? No
The NWS defines severe weather as 58 mph wind or great, 1″ hail or larger, and/or tornadoes
What is the chance of precipitation?  MO ~ 20%    IL ~ 20%    KY ~ 20% 
Coverage of precipitation
:  None to isolated
Should I cancel my outdoor plans
: No

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December 19, 2017
Tuesday F
orecast Details
Forecast:  Mostly cloudy with mild temperatures.  A shower possible after 12 pm.
Temperatures:  MO ~ 56 to 62      IL ~ 55 to 60      KY ~ 56 to 62
Wind chill values: N/A
Accumulating snow or ice: No
Winds: West and southwest 6 to 12 mph
What impacts are anticipated from the weather? Wet roadways
My confidence in the forecast verifying:  Medium
Is severe weather expected?  No
The NWS defines severe weather as 58 mph wind or great, 1″ hail or larger, and/or tornadoes
What is the chance of precipitation?  MO ~ 30%    IL ~ 20%    KY ~ 30%
Coverage of precipitation: Isolated to perhaps scattered during the afternoon hours
Should I cancel my outdoor plans? No
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Tuesday Night Forecast Details:
Forecast
:  Cloudy.  Rain likely over at least the southern half of the region.  A slight chance of a thunderstorm.  Greatest coverage will be from Poplar Bluff towards Cape Girardeau and then towards Vienna, Illinois and then eastward towards Madisonville, Kentucky.  From there southward the coverage will be greater than areas to the north.
Temperatures
:    MO ~ 38 to 44      IL ~ 38 to 44       KY ~ 42 to 46
Wind chill values: 30’s and 40’s
Accumulating snow or ice:  No
Winds
: North and northeast winds at 5 to 10 mph
What impacts are anticipated from the weather
? Wet roadways
My confidence in the forecast verifying
: Medium
Is severe weather expected
? No
The NWS defines severe weather as 58 mph wind or great, 1″ hail or larger, and/or tornadoes
What is the chance of precipitation?  MO ~ 50%    IL ~ 40%    KY ~ 50% 
Coverage of precipitation
:  Scattered
Should I cancel my outdoor plans
: Monitor radars

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December 20, 2017
Wednesday F
orecast Details
Forecast:  Mostly cloudy with showers possible.  Greater coverage over our southern counties (Bootheel into the KY/TN border area).  Becoming partly cloudy during the afternoon.
Temperatures:  MO ~ 50 to 55      IL ~ 50 to 55      KY ~ 50 to 55
Wind chill values: N/A
Accumulating snow or ice: No
Winds: Northeast 5 to 10 mph with gusts to 12 mph
What impacts are anticipated from the weather? Wet roadways
My confidence in the forecast verifying: Medium
Is severe weather expected?  No
The NWS defines severe weather as 58 mph wind or great, 1″ hail or larger, and/or tornadoes
What is the chance of precipitation?  MO ~ 50%    IL ~ 40%    KY ~ 60%
Coverage of precipitation: Scattered to widespread.  Widespread would be our southern counties (as mentioned above).
Should I cancel my outdoor plans? Monitor radars
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Wednesday Night Forecast Details:
Forecast
:  Clearing.  Colder.  Patchy fog possible.   
Temperatures
:    MO ~ 30 to 35      IL ~ 30 to 35       KY ~ 30 to 35
Wind chill values: 25 to 35
Accumulating snow or ice:  No
Winds
: North and northeast winds at 4 to 8 mph
What impacts are anticipated from the weather
?  Patchy fog 
My confidence in the forecast verifying
: Medium
Is severe weather expected
? No
The NWS defines severe weather as 58 mph wind or great, 1″ hail or larger, and/or tornadoes
What is the chance of precipitation?  MO ~ 0%    IL ~ 0%    KY ~ 0% 
Coverage of precipitation
: None
Should I cancel my outdoor plans
:  No

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December 21, 2017
Thursday F
orecast Details
Forecast:  Mostly sunny with a few passing clouds.  Warmer
Temperatures:  MO ~ 55 to 60       IL ~ 54 to 56      KY ~ 55 to 58
Wind chill values: N/A
Accumulating snow or ice: No
Winds: South winds at 5 to 10 mph
What impacts are anticipated from the weather? None
My confidence in the forecast verifying: High
Is severe weather expected?  No
The NWS defines severe weather as 58 mph wind or great, 1″ hail or larger, and/or tornadoes
What is the chance of precipitation?  MO ~ 0%    IL ~ 0%    KY ~ 0%
Coverage of precipitation: None
Should I cancel my outdoor plans? No
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Thursday Night Forecast Details:
Forecast
:  Increasing clouds.  A chance of late night showers. 
Temperatures
:    MO ~ 42 to 46      IL ~ 42 to 46       KY ~ 42 to 46
Wind chill values: 40’s
Accumulating snow or ice:  No
Winds
: South and southwest winds at 5 to 10 mph
What impacts are anticipated from the weather
? Perhaps wet roadways
My confidence in the forecast verifying
: Medium
Is severe weather expected
? No
The NWS defines severe weather as 58 mph wind or great, 1″ hail or larger, and/or tornadoes
What is the chance of precipitation?  MO ~ 30%    IL ~ 30%    KY ~ 20% 
Coverage of precipitation
:  Scattered
Should I cancel my outdoor plans
: No

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December 22, 2017
Friday Forecast Details
Forecast:  Mostly cloudy.  A chance of showers and thunderstorms.  Breezy and warm.
Temperatures:  MO ~ 64 to 68      IL ~ 64 to 68      KY ~ 64 to 68
Wind chill values: N/A
Accumulating snow or ice: No
Winds: South and southwest at 15 to 30 mph
What impacts are anticipated from the weather?  Lightning, gusty winds, and wet roadways.
My confidence in the forecast verifying:  Medium
Is severe weather expected?  Strong storms can’t be ruled out
The NWS defines severe weather as 58 mph wind or great, 1″ hail or larger, and/or tornadoes
What is the chance of precipitation?  MO ~ 60%    IL ~ 60%    KY ~ 60%
Coverage of precipitation: Scattered to widespread
Should I cancel my outdoor plans? Have a plan B

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Friday Night Forecast Details:
Forecast
:  Mostly cloudy.  Showers and thunderstorms possible.  Turning colder late.  Breezy.
Temperatures
:    MO ~ 25 to 35      IL ~ 25 to 35      KY ~ 25 to 35
Wind chill values: 20 to 30
Accumulating snow or ice:  Monitor updates
Winds
: Southwest winds becoming west and northwest at 10 to 20 mph.  Gusty winds possible.
What impacts are anticipated from the weather
?  Wet roadways.
My confidence in the forecast verifying
: Medium
Is severe weather expected
? Monitor updates
The NWS defines severe weather as 58 mph wind or great, 1″ hail or larger, and/or tornadoes
What is the chance of precipitation?  MO ~ 60%    IL ~ 60%    KY ~ -60% 
Coverage of precipitation
:  Scattered to widespread
Should I cancel my outdoor plans
: Have a plan B

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December 23, 2017
Saturday Forecast Details
Forecast:  Mostly cloudy.  Snow showers possible.  Colder.
Temperatures:  MO ~ 32 to 36      IL ~ 32 to 36      KY ~ 32 to 36
Wind chill values: 20 to 30 degrees
Accumulating snow or ice: Monitor updates
Winds: Northwest at 10 to 20 mph
What impacts are anticipated from the weather?
My confidence in the forecast verifying: LOW
Is severe weather expected?  No
The NWS defines severe weather as 58 mph wind or great, 1″ hail or larger, and/or tornadoes
What is the chance of precipitation?  MO ~ 40%    IL ~ 40%    KY ~ 40%
Coverage of precipitation: Scattered
Should I cancel my outdoor plans? Monitor updates

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Saturday Night Forecast Details:
Forecast
:  Mostly cloudy.  Cold.
Temperatures
:    MO ~ 24 to 28      IL ~ 24 to 28       KY ~ 24 to 28
Wind chill values: 20 to 25
Accumulating snow or ice:  No
Winds
: North and northwest at 5 to 10 mph
What impacts are anticipated from the weather
? None
My confidence in the forecast verifying
: Medium
Is severe weather expected
? No
The NWS defines severe weather as 58 mph wind or great, 1″ hail or larger, and/or tornadoes
Is freezing rain, sleet, or snow expected? No
What is the chance of precipitation?  MO ~ 10%    IL ~ 10%    KY ~ 10% 
Coverage of precipitation
:  Most likely none
Should I cancel my outdoor plans
: No

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EVERYTHING ELSE BELOW IS FROM THE SATURDAY UPDATE.

THERE WILL BE A NEW UPDATE ON MONDAY.

 

 

 


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Sunday night through next Thursday:  The risk for freezing rain, sleet, and snow is near zero.

I am monitoring next Friday into Christmas week.  A few systems could bring wintry weather to the region.  Low confidence (too far out).
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2014-11-24_13-38-04

The National Weather Service definition of a severe thunderstorm is one that produces quarter size hail or larger, 58 mph winds or greater, and/or a  tornado.

Sunday through next Thursday:  No severe weather.
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beausanalysis

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December 16, 2017

Forecast

Interactive Weather Radar Page.  Choose the city nearest your location:  Click this link

Rain will overspread the region tonight.  The rain will move in from the south/southwest and spread north/northeast.

This is a light rain event.  The greatest coverage of precipitation will be between 12 AM Sunday and 1 PM Sunday.

Here is my latest rainfall totals forecast.

We could use some rain.  Drought conditions blanket portions of the region.

Dry weather is anticipated for Monday and Tuesday.

A storm system will approach our region from the south on Wednesday.  Confidence on the exact track of this system is rather low.

I do believe clouds and some showers will spread into at least the Missouri Bootheel and Kentucky/Tennessee border counties.

Whether the rain moves north of there is the question.  For now, I have low end rain chances on Wednesday.

A winter storm is forecast to develop on Friday and Saturday across portions of Texas.  Model guidance indicates that the system may spread precipitation northeastward into Arkansas and the Tennessee Valley.

Model guidance past a couple of days is not accurate during the winter months.  Forecasters have a hard time forecasting snow and ice a day in advance, let alone a week in advance.  Be leery of any graphics showing you how much snow or ice might fall.  There isn’t even a guarantee that there will be precipitation.

Once again, the track of this system remains questionable, at best.

The GFS shows a large snow and ice storm from Texas into our region.  Meanwhile, the EC guidance shows dry weather Friday through Monday.

The GFS model ensembles are 50/50.  Fifty percent of them showing snow and fifty percent are showing no snow.

Only 10 out of 51 EC ensembles show accumulating snow or ice in our region.

The model guidance literally ranges from dry weather to rain to a snow storm to an ice storm.  Thus, no confidence is given in the long range forecast.

My snow/ice numbers remain mostly unchanged.

Beau’s Winter Weather Outlook

It is important to remember that this pattern is fluid.  There is always going to be lower than normal confidence, during the winter months, for the forecast past day three or four.
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Here are my latest snow probability maps for the week ahead.

These graphics show you the % chance of one inch or more of snow and/or accumulating sleet and freezing rain.

In tomorrow’s update I will likely remove the Thursday five percent.
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We need to monitor late next week into Christmas week.  Model guidance shows a very active pattern that could mean multiple precipitation events.

Monitor updates moving forward.  Confidence is low (it is in the long range).

If we end up on the warm side of the boundary then precipitation type would be rain.  Too soon to know the answer to that question.  Too soon to even know if there will be precipitation.

Keep in mind, I rarely go above 10% chances past day five.  That means 10% is a max number for days six through ten.  
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There is an above normal risk for a storm system(s) between December 22nd and December 28th.  

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2016-11-19_11-50-24

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Live lightning data ~ click here

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We offer regional radars and local city radars – if a radar does not update then try another one. Occasional browsers need their cache cleared.  You may also try restarting your browser.  This will usually fix any problems.

During the winter you can track snow and ice by clicking the winterize button on the local city view interactive radars.

You may email me at beaudodson@usawx.com

Interactive Weather Radar Page.  Choose the city nearest your location:  Click this link

National interactive radar:  Click this link.

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