Pam Knox
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One of the factors used in predicting the number of tropical storms and hurricanes we expect in the Atlantic Ocean is the temperature of the ocean, since tropical activity generally only starts when the sea surface is at least 80 F. That is the temperature needed to help tropical waves develop the vertical circulation needed…
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The latest 7-day QPF map shows that most of the region should get some rain this week but amounts will be relatively light. Most areas will get less than half an inch. The largest portion of rain will fall over the next few days, followed by a dry period mid-week. Rain will return to northern…
Posted in: Climate outlooks -
While I’ve been on the road quite a bit in the last few weeks, I have seen a few stories you might be interested in. Washington Post: Cherry blossoms have bloomed longer than usual and aren’t done yet National Geographic: Did you enjoy the cherry blossoms’ early peak bloom? It was a warning sign. Indiana…
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The latest Drought Monitor, released today, shows a small decrease in drought conditions in Puerto Rico this week from timely rain. In the mainland, abnormally dry conditions expanded in eastern North Carolina and were added to the Florida peninsula, but were removed in southern Alabama. Rain in the next week should improve conditions in NC…
Posted in: Drought -
According to NOAA’s latest monthly climate summary for the United States, March 2024 was the 17th warmest on record, but the year to date is the 5th warmest due to warm conditions in late January and February. The precipitation was in the wettest third of all years. You can read the NOAA news release describing…
Posted in: Climate summaries -
NOAA’s global climate summary for March 2024 was released late last week. It shows that the March 2024 average temperature for the globe was the warmest March on record, but it was only 0.01 C warmer than the previous record set in 2016 (also an El Nino year). The Southeast US was in the area…
Posted in: Climate summaries -
After all the rain we have been having, farmers are no doubt excited to hear that this week should be nearly dry for most of the region. That will allow a lot of planting and other field work to take place. The wettest areas will be in northern Alabama and eastern Virginia while Florida will…
Posted in: Climate outlooks