Ticker for December 5, 2023

                
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December 5, 2023   December 5, 2023   December 5, 2023   December 5, 2023


I'm dreaming...




Don't blame me, it's CLIMATOLOGY! Right now, it's in charge. As I've said before,
in 7-14 days, WEATHER will take charge. But let's face it (not the mirror...I
learned that long ago), we normally have very little chance of a white Christmas
here in Oklahoma. Best chances are obviously in the Panhandle and far NW OK, but
still less than 20%. Idabel? Forget it.

HOWEVER, that doesn't preclude the chance for snow in any given year if the proper
conditions arise. Things that help: cold air, not only at the surface but
vertically as well; moisture; a storm system or lift/ascent mechanism to produce
precipitation; bacon, because everything is better with bacon.

How's it looking thus far, on the outlooks that take us out to the periphery of
Christmas Week (I live on the periphery...it' ain't fun)? Well, not so great.



The forecast models themselves are showing some snowfall this weekend in the
Panhandle, and far northern OK the middle of next week, but at this point we're
gonna call those fantasy-casts. Just for now. But nothing showing up as we get
closer to Christmas Week. But next week does look a bit wetter.

Until then, we're still looking at a big warm up this week, then a front Friday
night, and cooler Saturday with a chance of rain in far eastern OK, maybe a
few snowflakes in NW OK.









But for a nice Christmasy Christmas? Climate says no. Weather says...wait and
see.

Gary McManus
State Climatologist
Oklahoma Mesonet
Oklahoma Climatological Survey
gmcmanus@mesonet.org