Monday, December 29, 2008

Record Highs Sunday!

Sunshine prevailed Sunday and temperatures were able to climb to levels that either tied or broke records. Raleigh-Durham International recorded a high of 74 degrees, tying a record set 20 years earlier. Wilmington reached afternoon highs of 76 which also tied a record. The last time it got that warm on December 28th was in 1971.
North Myrtle Beach saw a new record high! 70 was the high yesterday, breaking the old record of 68 from 1954. Finally, New Bern reached a new record high on Sunday just after 2pm of 77-degrees. That broke the old record of 76 that had been in the books since 1971.
Temperatures this week will not reach record levels as we'll have a series of cold fronts cross over NC. We'll also have a change in our upper-level jet stream pattern ..that also has an effect on our temperatures. We had an upper-level ridge pattern over the SE United States which meant mild temperatures for us. This week we're dominated by a more zonal flow which is a west-to-east flow. That generally means temps that are closer to normal (our normal highs for the end of December are lower 50s for the Triangle region, mid to upper-50s along the coast). We'll get a shot of cold air as we get into the new year! Check out your Weather on the Ones Forecast at http://www.news14.com

Friday, December 12, 2008

Rainfall since Wednesday

Here's a look at rainfall around central and eastern North Carolina since Wednesday. (Most of the rain fell Thursday) --
  • New Bern: 2.52"
  • Havelock: 2.40"
  • Wilmington: 1.82"
  • Chapel Hill: 1.81"
  • Fayetteville: 1.65"
  • Raleigh-Durham: 1.55"
  • Jacksonville: 1.42"
  • Goldsboro: 1.19"
  • Rocky Mount-Wilson: 1.17"
  • Beaufort: 0.91"

Much of central and eastern North Carolina spent Thursday afternoon under Tornado Watches. A few Tornado Warnings were evening issued. Fortunately, there were no reports of any tornado touchdowns and no reports of any storm damage.

We expect quieter and cooler weather through the weekend with a warm up to start early next week.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Afternoon Storm Threat

It has been a busy morning so far in the Weather on the Ones Forecast Center, and it looks to only get busier this afternoon. As I write this post just after 10 am this morning, the Storm Prediction Center is closely monitoring the Carolinas and a Tornado Watch may soon be posted for a large part of South Carolina and central and eastern North Carolina. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch may also be posted over the western Carolinas. If that happens, will have the latest advisories every 10 minutes on News 14 Carolina.


Today's stormy weather is the result of a potent low pressure system that developed over the Gulf of Mexico late last night and early this morning. This has been quite the storm already producing strong storms near the Gulf coast this morning and even snow in places like Houston, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Snowfall on freeway near New Orleans.

Snowfall on Bourbon Street in New Orleans this morning.

We do not anticipate winter weather here, but severe weather will be a threat as the low tracks across the Carolinas this afternoon. It now appears the worst of the weather may pass through our area between 2pm and 8pm. The severe weather threat includes heavy rains, damaging winds, and tornadoes.

If severe weather strikes this afternoon, do you know where you will seek shelter? Identify that location now so you can get there at a moment's notice. The safest place to be during a severe thunderstorm or tornado is in the center of a sturdy building on the lowest floor away from windows. You will want to put as many walls as you can between you and the outside. Large open buildings such as gyms and auditoriums do not provide enough protection. The safest places are usually basements, closets, hallways, or interior bathrooms.

Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina for the very latest on what could be a rapidly changing weather afternoon. We'll provide updates on our blog and through our Twitter updates as time allows. The most current information is available every 10 minutes with Weather on the Ones only on Time Warner Cable channel 14.

If severe weather happens in your neighborhood, you can e-mail us your storm reports and pictures when it is safe to do so to weather@news14.com.

Follow us on Twitter --

Hazardous Weather Update

Here's the latest update this morning on today's severe weather threat from the Raleigh National Weather Service Office....



HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
634 AM EST THU DEC 11 2008


NCZ007>010-021>026-038>041-073>077-083>086-088-121145-PERSON-GRANVILLE-VANCE-WARREN-FORSYTH-GUILFORD-ALAMANCE-ORANGE-DURHAM-FRANKLIN-DAVIDSON-RANDOLPH-CHATHAM-WAKE-STANLY-MONTGOMERY-MOORE-LEE-HARNETT-ANSON-RICHMOND-SCOTLAND-HOKE-CUMBERLAND-
634 AM EST THU DEC 11 2008

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS AFTERNOON...

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

PLEASE LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FOLLOWING HAZARDS.

FLASH FLOOD WATCH.

A STRONG LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO TRACK NORTHEASTWARD ACROSS NORTHERN GEORGIA AND THE CAROLINAS THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. RAIN IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE IN COVERAGE AND INTENSITY AHEAD OF THE LOW PRESSURE THROUGH TODAY. THE HEAVIEST RAIN IS EXPECTED TO OCCUR ALONG AND NORTH OF THE INTERSTATE FORTY AND EIGHTY FIVE CORRIDOR FROM THE TRIAD TO HENDERSON AND ROXBORO....WHERE TWO TO THREE INCHES OF RAIN WILL BE COMMON. LESSERAMOUNTS... GENERALLY ONE TO TWO INCHES... ARE EXPECTED TO THE SOUTH AND EAST OF THESE AREAS. THE RAINFALL MAY RESULT IN FLASH FLOODING... PARTICULARLY NEAR CREEKS AND STREAMS AND IN URBAN AREAS.

IN ADDITION... WARM AND MOIST AIR COUPLED WITH STRONG... TURNING WINDS ALOFT IN ADVANCE OF THE LOW PRESSURE WILL CREATE A FAVORABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS TO DEVELOP LATER THIS AFTERNOON INTO EARLY THIS EVENING. DAMAGING STRAIGHT LINE WINDS AND A FEW TORNADOES WILL BE THE MAIN THREATS FROM THESE THUNDERSTORMS. THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT WILL BE HIGHEST FROM AROUND 1 PM TO 8PM.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

HAZARDOUS WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED AT THIS TIME..

SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT..

.SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL LIKELY BE NEEDED LATER TODAY AND THIS EVENING. SPOTTERS SHOULD REPORT SEVERE WEATHER AS SOON AS IT IS SAFE TO DO SO.

PLEASE STAY TUNED FOR POSSIBLE WATCHES AND WARNINGS.

$$

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Strong to Severe Storms Possible...

A Flash Flood Watch is en effect for much of the News 14 Carolina viewing area this evening and much of Thursday.

Flash Flood Watch Link

Severe storm threat ramps up dramatically overnight tonight and into Thursday as an area of low pressure heads towards the Carolinas. Instability, low level winds, and many parameters are coming together to allow for a 1-2 punch of severe storms. I'm concerned the first threat will come from strong storms moving on-shore that would impact the Coast and Coastal Plain. The second threat will come from a line of storms crossing the entire viewing area ahead of a cold front. It's safe to say I'd check in with the Weather on the Ones Forecast Center tonight before heading to bed and maybe leaving the weather radio on overnight tonight.

Day 1 Outlook

Day 2 Outlook

Hazardous Weather Outlook

Here's the latest on the storm threat over the next couple of days as outlined in this morning's Hazardous Weather Outlook from the Raleigh National Weather Service --

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC
349 AM EST WED DEC 10 2008

NCZ007>011-021>028-038>043-073>078-083>086-088-089-110900-
PERSON-GRANVILLE-VANCE-WARREN-HALIFAX-FORSYTH-GUILFORD-ALAMANCE-ORANGE-DURHAM-FRANKLIN-NASH-EDGECOMBE-DAVIDSON-RANDOLPH-CHATHAM-WAKE-JOHNSTON-WILSON-STANLY-MONTGOMERY-MOORE-LEE-HARNETT-WAYNE-ANSON-RICHMOND-SCOTLAND-HOKE-CUMBERLAND-SAMPSON-
349 AM EST WED DEC 10 2008

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT.

A SQUALL LINE OF HEAVY SHOWERS WITH A FEW THUNDERSTORMS IS EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO THE WESTERN PIEDMONT LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND PUSH EAST... EXITING CENTRAL NORTH CAROLINA NEAR MIDNIGHT. THERE WILL BE A POTENTIAL FOR ISOLATED STRAIGHT LINE WIND DAMAGE WITH THIS LINE. AN ISOLATED TORNADO CAN NOT BE RULED OUT.

RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO STAY CONNECTED TO LOCAL RADIO...TELEVISION... WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER MEDIA THIS EVENING AND TONIGHT UNTIL THE THREAT PASSES.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...THURSDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

A SURFACE LOW IS FORECAST TO DEVELOP ON THE GULF COAST TONIGHT AND STRENGTHEN AS IT TRACKS NORTHEAST ACROSS THE CAROLINAS ON THURSDAY. NEAR AND EAST OF WHERE THE LOW TRACKS...THE COMBINATION OF A WARM AND UNSTABLE AIR MASS AND STRONG LIFT WILL RESULT IN THE POTENTIAL FOR STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS THURSDAY. THE PRIMARY SEVERE WEATHER THREATS WILL BE DAMAGING WINDS AND ISOLATED TORNADOES.

RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO STAY CONNECTED TO LOCAL RADIO... TELEVISION...WEATHER RADIO OR OTHER MEDIA THROUGHOUT THE DAY THURSDAY UNTIL THE THREAT PASSES.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT ANY SEVERE OR SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ASSOCIATED WITH THESE STORMS.
$$

Saturday, December 06, 2008

Windy and colder Sunday

Today is the conclusion of Winter Weather Awareness Week in North Carolina.
Here is the final link to the National Weather Service's series about preparedness for the season:

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/news/content/Winter_08_SATURDAY.pdf

An upper level disturbance will pair up with a dissipating cold front to bring us an increas in clouds for this afternoon and evening. We'll also see a possibility of snow flurries and passing moisture tries to work itself to the ground through dry air at the surface. When moisture encounters dry air it evaporates. Temperatures fall because that evaporation cools the air. So if any precipitation does make its way to ground level, we could see either patchy drizzle or flurries depending on our temperatures this afternoon and evening.

High pressure moving into the region late tonight into tomorrow will encounter an intensifying low off the East coast, so we'll expect gusty winds since we're in the middle of those systems. If you spent a lot of time putting out holiday decorations, make sure you secure them before bed tonight, as winds will blow in from the north at about 10-15mph with higher gusts tonight and Sunday morning!
Sunshine will dominate the day Sunday as will breezy conditions. Winds will still blow at about 10-15mph but we'll see fewer gusts as the day goes on. Highs in the 40s will feel much colder than that due to wind chill.
Sunday night will have clear to mostly clear skies and light winds which means we'll have a very cold start to the day Monday. Out-the-door temps for the morning commute are expected to be in the mid to upper 20s!
Wilmington's Christmas Parade is Sunday! Hope to see you there!

Have a great rest of your weekend.

Friday, December 05, 2008

NC Snow Climatology

This week has been Winter Weather Preparedness week in North Carolina. Yesterday I wrote about fire dangers in the home and provided links to the National Weather Service information from earlier this week.

I'm a little limited on time this afternoon, so I have enclosed the link directly to the National Weather Service information on today's subject. I'll have the concluding information for this week on this blog tomorrow (Saturday).

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/news/content/Winter_08_FRIDAY.pdf

Wilmington Christmas parade is this Sunday..if you're attending, look for me and for our Chief Meteorologist Gary Stephenson in the lineup! Gary made the decorations for our News 14 Carolina vehicle, so be sure to tell him how much you like it!

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Winter Weather Preparedness

This week is Winter Weather Preparedness Week in North Carolina and today we're not talking about winter weather directly but how winter temperatures can affect the safety of your home.
The following information is provided courtesy of the National Weather Service, The American Red Cross and the National Fire Protection Association. Its no secret that Americans see a higher number of house fires once the mercury takes a tumble. As a matter of fact, statistics show that a house fire is reported to a fire department in the US every one and a half minutes. Someone dies in a house fire every two and a half hours.
Structure fires claimed nearly 3000 lives in 2007 across the United States and 84 percent of those fires occurred in the home.

There are a number of other statistics provided, and I'll provide the link here to the National Weather Service report: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/news/content/Winter_08_THURSDAY.pdf

What you need to walk away with today are some common sense reminders of measures you can take to minimize the chance and impact of fire.
Again, from the National Weather Service report:
1) Be careful when using candles and oil lamps, especially with children nearby.
2) Inspect foreplaces, wood stoves and your chimney.
3) Keep the holiday decorations away from your fireplace if you plan to use it as a heat source.
4) Check the smoke detector and have a working fire extinguisher (Do you know how to use yours in a pinch?).
5) Don't overload your outlets and be careful when using extension cords.

Here's a list of this week's information on winter preparedness (through today..I'll post Friday's link tomorrow) from the National Weather Service:

Sunday: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/news/content/Winter_08_SUNDAY.pdf
Monday: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/news/content/Winter_08_MONDAY.pdf
Tuesday: http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/news/content/Winter_08_TUESDAY.pdf
Wednesday:http://www.erh.noaa.gov/rah/news/content/Winter_08_WEDNESDAY.pdf

Still to cover this week: how to prepare when winter weather comes this way and the factor of winter weather that makes everyone an equal on the road: freezing rain and sleet.

Wednesday, December 03, 2008

Afternoon Update

Twitter Updates


If you have checked our blog over the past several days, you may have noticed our new Twitter updates on the upper right side of the page. This will provide us a way to provide quick updates when there is not time for a complete blog post or a complete post is not needed. Twitter will also allow you to interact with us during times of active weather such as severe weather or snow. If you use Twitter, be sure to follow us and stay tuned for the latest.

Again, you'll find my Twitter updates on the upper right side of the blog or through this direct link -- http://twitter.com/LeeRingerNews14