A Broken Record 1/25/13

No I am not talking about the record breaking temperatures, or the record breaking snows or drought.  What I am talking about is how repetitive and consistent this weather pattern we have been in is.  For weeks on end this same pattern has persisted across the US.  It is like the needle is stuck and won’t budge, just repeating the same lines over and over again. 

For the younger folks who don’t know what a broken record that I am referring to is:

This next week again is Forecasting more of the same.  Extreme cold and snows in areas that already have had them, extreme drought in places where it has already been ridiculously dry.  Those of us on the cold side would like a little relief.  Can we swap sides for just a short while?  More record cold will be spilling into the Midwest and Great lakes with snow and high winds.  Temps will be below zero for several days.  Even places in the south are feeling it too.  Freeze warnings way down in Florida and a winter storm in Houston?

In a week or so we will have Ground Hog day, and supposedly the ground hog will tell us if this will continue 6 more weeks or if spring will come.  There is some weather truth behind the ol’ groundhog.  If He sees his shadow means 6 more weeks of winter.  What is really happening is that you have high pressure and clear skies in winter it usually means colder air.  If he does not see his shadow, spring will be early.  This usually coincides with warmer weather, which at this time of year is generally cloudy or foggy weather.  Plus, In the warmer weather there might be food to eat exposed which would keep Mr. Groundhog outside.

In Spokane WA they have been stuck in the same temperature range for days on end with foggy conditions.  Foggy conditions in freezing temperatures creates a buildup of ice where the moisture has come in contact with something.  Here is a good example from a regional weather blogger, Inland Northwest Weather Blog.

There are serious weather concerns about this years Super bowl as well.  Ticket prices have been plummeting as it seems no one wants to sit in the cold and snow.  the NFL has even considered moving the game day if bad weather is expected, but there is a serious backlash against that by fans who have spent thousands of dollars on tickets, hotels, rental cars, tickets, and the like.

And finally, this picture from an online friend who is snowmobiling in the UP of Michigan.  Here they were at the tip of the UP looking at Lake Superior in the snow.