OCS/Mesonet Ticker for January 2, 2019

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MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ...
January 2, 2019 January 2, 2019 January 2, 2019 January 2, 2019

It MIGHT snow

(December and 2018 summary at bottom of Ticker...pardon the interruption).

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/Braums-DEFCON-meter.png

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, you must have read the Ticker!
Here we go again with another storm system coming in where it LOOKS like
it might snow (and freezing rain and sleet...use those as verbs please). But
as we found out in December, looks can be deceiving. For now, we've kicked up
the old BRAUM'S DEF-CON METER to a Level 2 down across SW OK, where it looks
like the most likely area to get heavier snow totals. However, we also have
to throw in the chance for freezing rain and sleet, which covers a much broader
area. I still contend I'll take a foot of snow over a quarter-inch of freezing
rain, but hey, that's just me (and my car). As of this morning, the Winter
Storm Watch covers much of southern and western OK, up into central OK as
well.

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/latest.oklahoma.winter.gif

Here's some current thinking by our local NWS offices. PLEASE REMEMBER THESE
GRAPHICS WILL BE REFINED AS THE EVENT DRAWS NEARER! STILL LOTS OF UNCERTAINTY
AS TO THE MESOSCALE FEATURES THAT INFLUENCE WHO GETS WHAT, WHERE, AND HOW MUCH!

Okay, enough shouting. Here ya go.

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/NWS-Norman-Wed.png

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/NWS-Norman-Wed-night.png

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/NWS-Norman-Thursday.png

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/NWS-Norman-Thursday-night.png

These will change seconds after I post them. They do that just to irritate me.
But if you WANT snow and you don't get snow, quit your bellyaching and move to
the Panhandle! They already used up this winter's snow magic with their
post-Christmas blizzard.

For the rest of us, who are tired of this winter Festivus...look to Sunday.

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/Sunday-forecast-highs.png

SQUIRREL!

On (back) to December.
________________________________________________________________________________

December Storms Bring Moisture
Jan. 2, 2019

Three soaking storm systems brought much needed precipitation to the state,
ending a run of up to 78 days without significant moisture for much of northern
and western Oklahoma.

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/days-without-quarter-inch.PNG

Like last year at this time, the winter wheat crop was clamoring for a good
drink of water, and fire danger was increasing with each dry, windy day.
Between the three storms, virtually all areas of the state saw relief by the
end of the month. The most significant storm struck just after Christmas Day
and dumped 1-3 inches of rain across a good portion of the state. The western
half of the Oklahoma Panhandle saw an old fashioned High Plains blizzard on the
back end of the storm. Reports of 4-6 inches of snow were common, with
localized amounts of 10 inches near Guymon. Winds of 50 mph closed roads with
drifting snow and brought down frozen power lines. A powerful cold front
blasted through the state on 2018’s final day, leaving revelers to deal with
temperatures in the teens and 20s, and wind chills in the single digits. There
was very little severe weather during the month with the storm systems,
although flooding was reported with some of the heavier downpours. Preliminary
totals from the National Weather Service place the year’s tornado total at 41,
about 15 below the 1951-2017 average.

According to the Oklahoma Mesonet, the statewide average precipitation total
was 3.54 inches, 1.48 inches above normal to rank as the 14th wettest December
since records began in 1895. Southeastern Oklahoma had a surplus of 3.57 inches,
the fifth wettest December for that region of the state. Broken Bow led the
Mesonet’s 120 stations with 9.12 inches for the month. Thirty-one sites saw at
least 5 inches of rain, and another 25 recorded at least 3 inches. Kenton
brought up the rear with 0.38 inches. Eight sites reported less than an inch,
all in far northwestern Oklahoma.

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/dec-rain-totals.png

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/dec-rain-depart.png

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/dec-rain-pct.png

The statewide annual average total of 40.52 inches marks 2018 as the 15th
wettest year on record with a surplus of 4.02 inches. South central and
southeastern Oklahoma were both 10 inches above normal. Northeastern Oklahoma
finished with a deficit of 5.05 inches, the 60th driest year on record for that
region. Broken Bow led the state during 2018 with a total of 73.06 inches,
while Kenton had the lowest tally at 15.04 inches.

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/2018-rain-totals.png

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/2018-rain-depart.png

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/2018-rain-pct.png

Oklahoma City’s official observation site at Will Rogers Airport recorded 45.85
inches in 2018 to rank as the seventh wettest year since 1890. Tulsa finished
on the dry side at 34.08 inches, their 46th driest year since 1893.

December was on the warm side with a statewide average temperature of 40.3
degrees, 1.4 degrees above normal. That ranked it as the 50th warmest December
on record.

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/Dec-Avg-Temp.png

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/Dec-Temp-Depart-Avg.png

Several stations logged the month’s highest reading of 69 degrees on various
days. Eva recorded the only temperature below zero at minus 2 degrees on the
29th. 2018 was 0.4 degrees above normal at 60.3 degrees, the 41st warmest year
on record.

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/2018-avg-temperatures.png

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/2018-avg-temp-depart.png

The year’s highest temperature of 113 degrees occurred at Grandfield on July
19, as did the highest heat index of 121 degrees at Pawnee. Miami brought in
the lowest temperature on Jan. 17 at minus 8 degrees. The lowest wind chill
fell on the day before with a teeth-chattering minus 22 degrees.

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/MesonetExtremes2018.png

Drought took a small step forward during December, thanks to the long dry
period across northern and western Oklahoma. According to the U.S. Drought
Monitor, 5 percent of the state was in at least moderate drought by the end of
the month, a minor increase since the end of November. Abnormally dry
conditions – a drought precursor – had increased from 27 percent to 45 percent
over that same period, however.

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/Nov27-drought-monitor.png

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/Dec25-drought-monitor.png

Much of that dryness was alleviated by the late-month moisture. The January
outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) showed equal chances for
above-, below- and near-normal temperatures and precipitation for Oklahoma.
The remaining drought across northeastern Oklahoma was placed in the “removal
likely” category on CPC’s January Drought Outlook.

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/Jan-temp-outlook.gif

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/Jan-precip-outlook.gif

http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/Jan-drought-outlook.png

Gary McManus
State Climatologist
Oklahoma Mesonet
Oklahoma Climatological Survey
(405) 325-2253
gmcmanus@mesonet.org

================================================== The OCS/Mesonet Ticker https://ticker.mesonet.org/ To subscribe or unsubscribe from the Ticker or for questions about the Ticker or its content Phone or Email the Ticker Manager at OCS Phone: 405-325-2253 Email: ticker@mesonet.org --------------------------------------------------- -C- Copyright 2024 Oklahoma Climatological Survey ===================================================

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Previous Ticker: December 28, 2018	Following Ticker: January 7, 2019

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. . . Ticker for January 2, 2019 . . .

MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... January 2, 2019 January 2, 2019 January 2, 2019 January 2, 2019 It MIGHT snow (December and 2018 summary at bottom of Ticker...pardon the interruption). http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/Braums-DEFCON-meter.png Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, you must have read the Ticker! Here we go again with another storm system coming in where it LOOKS like it might snow (and freezing rain and sleet...use those as verbs please). But as we found out in December, looks can be deceiving. For now, we've kicked up the old BRAUM'S DEF-CON METER to a Level 2 down across SW OK, where it looks like the most likely area to get heavier snow totals. However, we also have to throw in the chance for freezing rain and sleet, which covers a much broader area. I still contend I'll take a foot of snow over a quarter-inch of freezing rain, but hey, that's just me (and my car). As of this morning, the Winter Storm Watch covers much of southern and western OK, up into central OK as well. http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/latest.oklahoma.winter.gif Here's some current thinking by our local NWS offices. PLEASE REMEMBER THESE GRAPHICS WILL BE REFINED AS THE EVENT DRAWS NEARER! STILL LOTS OF UNCERTAINTY AS TO THE MESOSCALE FEATURES THAT INFLUENCE WHO GETS WHAT, WHERE, AND HOW MUCH! Okay, enough shouting. Here ya go. http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/NWS-Norman-Wed.png http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/NWS-Norman-Wed-night.png http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/NWS-Norman-Thursday.png http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/NWS-Norman-Thursday-night.png These will change seconds after I post them. They do that just to irritate me. But if you WANT snow and you don't get snow, quit your bellyaching and move to the Panhandle! They already used up this winter's snow magic with their post-Christmas blizzard. For the rest of us, who are tired of this winter Festivus...look to Sunday. http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/Sunday-forecast-highs.png SQUIRREL! On (back) to December. ________________________________________________________________________________ December Storms Bring Moisture Jan. 2, 2019 Three soaking storm systems brought much needed precipitation to the state, ending a run of up to 78 days without significant moisture for much of northern and western Oklahoma. http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/days-without-quarter-inch.PNG Like last year at this time, the winter wheat crop was clamoring for a good drink of water, and fire danger was increasing with each dry, windy day. Between the three storms, virtually all areas of the state saw relief by the end of the month. The most significant storm struck just after Christmas Day and dumped 1-3 inches of rain across a good portion of the state. The western half of the Oklahoma Panhandle saw an old fashioned High Plains blizzard on the back end of the storm. Reports of 4-6 inches of snow were common, with localized amounts of 10 inches near Guymon. Winds of 50 mph closed roads with drifting snow and brought down frozen power lines. A powerful cold front blasted through the state on 2018’s final day, leaving revelers to deal with temperatures in the teens and 20s, and wind chills in the single digits. There was very little severe weather during the month with the storm systems, although flooding was reported with some of the heavier downpours. Preliminary totals from the National Weather Service place the year’s tornado total at 41, about 15 below the 1951-2017 average. According to the Oklahoma Mesonet, the statewide average precipitation total was 3.54 inches, 1.48 inches above normal to rank as the 14th wettest December since records began in 1895. Southeastern Oklahoma had a surplus of 3.57 inches, the fifth wettest December for that region of the state. Broken Bow led the Mesonet’s 120 stations with 9.12 inches for the month. Thirty-one sites saw at least 5 inches of rain, and another 25 recorded at least 3 inches. Kenton brought up the rear with 0.38 inches. Eight sites reported less than an inch, all in far northwestern Oklahoma. http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/dec-rain-totals.png http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/dec-rain-depart.png http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/dec-rain-pct.png The statewide annual average total of 40.52 inches marks 2018 as the 15th wettest year on record with a surplus of 4.02 inches. South central and southeastern Oklahoma were both 10 inches above normal. Northeastern Oklahoma finished with a deficit of 5.05 inches, the 60th driest year on record for that region. Broken Bow led the state during 2018 with a total of 73.06 inches, while Kenton had the lowest tally at 15.04 inches. http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/2018-rain-totals.png http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/2018-rain-depart.png http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/2018-rain-pct.png Oklahoma City’s official observation site at Will Rogers Airport recorded 45.85 inches in 2018 to rank as the seventh wettest year since 1890. Tulsa finished on the dry side at 34.08 inches, their 46th driest year since 1893. December was on the warm side with a statewide average temperature of 40.3 degrees, 1.4 degrees above normal. That ranked it as the 50th warmest December on record. http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/Dec-Avg-Temp.png http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/Dec-Temp-Depart-Avg.png Several stations logged the month’s highest reading of 69 degrees on various days. Eva recorded the only temperature below zero at minus 2 degrees on the 29th. 2018 was 0.4 degrees above normal at 60.3 degrees, the 41st warmest year on record. http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/2018-avg-temperatures.png http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/2018-avg-temp-depart.png The year’s highest temperature of 113 degrees occurred at Grandfield on July 19, as did the highest heat index of 121 degrees at Pawnee. Miami brought in the lowest temperature on Jan. 17 at minus 8 degrees. The lowest wind chill fell on the day before with a teeth-chattering minus 22 degrees. http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/MesonetExtremes2018.png Drought took a small step forward during December, thanks to the long dry period across northern and western Oklahoma. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 5 percent of the state was in at least moderate drought by the end of the month, a minor increase since the end of November. Abnormally dry conditions – a drought precursor – had increased from 27 percent to 45 percent over that same period, however. http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/Nov27-drought-monitor.png http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/Dec25-drought-monitor.png Much of that dryness was alleviated by the late-month moisture. The January outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) showed equal chances for above-, below- and near-normal temperatures and precipitation for Oklahoma. The remaining drought across northeastern Oklahoma was placed in the “removal likely” category on CPC’s January Drought Outlook. http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/Jan-temp-outlook.gif http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/Jan-precip-outlook.gif http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20190102/Jan-drought-outlook.png Gary McManus State Climatologist Oklahoma Mesonet Oklahoma Climatological Survey (405) 325-2253 gmcmanus@mesonet.org ================================================== The OCS/Mesonet Ticker https://ticker.mesonet.org/ To subscribe or unsubscribe from the Ticker or for questions about the Ticker or its content Phone or Email the Ticker Manager at OCS Phone: 405-325-2253 Email: ticker@mesonet.org --------------------------------------------------- -C- Copyright 2024 Oklahoma Climatological Survey ===================================================