Friday, May 4, 2012

Afternoon Post: Above Average Temps Continue

Above normal temperatures will likely continue for the United States, as a train of storm systems traversing the North Pacific continually insert themselves into the Gulf of Alaska. When low pressure systems are put into the Gulf of Alaska, this corresponds to warmer temperatures across the eastern US. As you can see, a low pressure system currently resides in that area, and a few storm systems are in tow.

I will be coming out with a piece concerning the Lezak Recurring Cycle later on, as something is peaking my interest in coming weeks.

Tropical Outlook- May 4, 2012

This is the tropical outlook from today, May 4, until May 11, 2012.

Discussion
Looking over ECMWF, ECMWF Ensemble MSLP forecasts yield nothing of major concern. However, looking over the GFS brings up a low pressure system that appears to be stationary over the far southern Gulf of Mexico region. Intensity of this system appears to be low, but nonetheless a stationary system can warrant watching, as we are approaching the start of hurricane season. That said, I have delineated a 'Low' risk area for tropical development over the next week. Because forecasts beyond 4 days are somewhat untrustworthy, this Low risk is on the bottom end of the spectrum.

Andrew

Pictures Posted

All pictures from yesterday's storms are available on Vortex Weather Photography. Link is below.

http://vortexwxphotography.blogspot.com/

Mammatus Clouds from May 3, 2012

This picture shows mammatus clouds from a strong storm cell in Chicago, IL on May 3rd, 2012. I will be releasing more pictures later today.