Ticker for April 8, 2024

                
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April 8, 2024      April 8, 2024      April 8, 2024      April 8, 2024


Cirrusly




Yayyyy, the day is finally here. Monday, April 8, 2024...Episode 3 of Season 21
of NCIS!

Hey, I don't watch the show, but it'd be pretty ironic if I did.

No no no, the eclipse. You've heard all the bad jokes (many right here in this
space). Now go away after today, Bonnie Tyler! I got to thinking this morning
(most mornings I try to think and nothing happens!) about why the moon is just
the right size to almost perfectly block out the sun during a total eclipse in
the totality region, where you can see the sun's corona. I reckon it's the
proportion of the diameter of the moon in proportion to the diameter to the sun,
but also the proportion of the distance of the moon from Earth, but also the
distance of the sun from Earth? Here, check out this diagram for a better
explanation.



Exactly. I'm getting in way over my head here so let's move on. At this point
with the eclipse just hours away, we're generally out of "look at forecast
models" mode and into just "look at satellite images" mode to predict what
we're gonna see later today. Sort of like at some point we switch from
climatology mode to weather mode when determining future weather. However,
there are still dynamic processes going on in the atmosphere that generate (or
degenerate) clouds, so check out this latest forecast image from the High
Resolution Rapid Refresh model, as shown by the fine folks at Pivotal Weather,
with the path of totality thrown on for reference.



Pivotalweather.com explains the color scheme: "This map shows the model's
forecast at 2:00 PM CDT on April 8 for low-mid level cloud cover in blue, with
high-level cloud cover overlaid in transparent orange. In general, low-mid
level cloud cover (blue) is more likely to block out a view of the eclipse
entirely. High-level clouds (transparent orange) may only partially obscure the
eclipse, unless they are very thick, so it is not as critical to avoid high
clouds."

I'd say from that forecast that most of the SE half of the state looks to be in
pretty good shape for today's event, an even the NW half is in "good" shape, but
the clouds look to be a bit lower and a bit thicker there? But I'd still expect
some good breaks in the clouds.

If you're stuck in a cave, perhaps ask for help. But also, if you have internet
coverage, you can follow the eclipse by just looking at our data right here
at the Oklahoma Mesonet by watching our meteograms. Stations like Idabel and
Broken Bow will be good ones to check out, but you can see a dip in solar
radiation (if there aren't many clouds) anywhere in the state.

https://www.mesonet.org/weather/meteogram?ref=1208&stid=idab

Also watch the traces for temperature as well as we could see dips of 10-15
degrees during the event. I'd like to see a lovely cheese dip myself. Mmmmmmm,
cheeeeeeeese dipppppp.

Now after the event, we might have some calamitous weather across far southern
Oklahoma, with some large hail and severe winds being the primary threat later
into tonight.










The storm system bringing us the clouds and storms will linger for several
days and drop some fairly heavy rains across the SE half of the state, enough
to se have a flood watch out for McCurtain County (this could expand).





It's all over but the shouting now. Time to go safely observe the eclipse a
bit later on, then be weather aware. And remember...if you're shouting, you're
too late.

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