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Pattern January 2020 - Operation Thaw Alaska

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The JMA’s MJO forecast has kind of been out to lunch lately and is way too amped in the central pacific and thus it takes longer for the wave to attenuate, which is why it’s showing phase 8 propagation. While I don’t think this scenario is impossible, given the forecast initialization errors and that this winter has been marred by strong/persistent +EPO (that the GEFS & EPS forecast) and that both the GEFS & ECMWF depict degeneration into phase 7, I’m skeptical of the nice -EPO JMA forecast in week 2. When the GEFS & ECMWF MJO forecasts agree (which doesn’t happen often), they’re usually correct. From multiple standpoints I’m cautious to buy into the JMA in spite of its recent string of forecast verification

I do recall the JMA being way off in December with its amplitude but it still nailed the 500mb forecasts for Week 2. It kept wanting to spike the amplitude like the forecast above (and I mean spike it to the extreme in one day lead) when you obviously knew by looking that it was incorrect. Interesting to see if it busts hard here...still taking it with a mound of salt.


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That would explain why the JMA ensembles looks like the CFS then. Both are alone in the MJO progression right now on their RMMs.

I'll throw this out there as a possible learning experience for me. I posted the following a little earlier at AmWx but would appreciate Webb's and any others' input:

What is the Euro seeing?

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(I know its only the control, but that's the closest access I have to the OP)

Looking at that, I'm not really sure what the Euro sees to send it back to 5/6. Looks to me like it still favors 1/2

I know OLR isn't the only thing that goes into the MJO RMM plot calculation, but you'd think it would show more convection over the MC for that RMM plot.

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Indian Ocean though:

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Some of it there even looks like to would be N of the equator late in the run.


Are the RMM plots calculated through some measurement that would split the difference between two convection locations?

Isotherm was arguing that most of it was south of the equator, and not having a substantial impact
(I think the +AAM from the W Pac convection would argue otherwise).

But a lot of that Indian Ocean convection looks south to me.
 
I do recall the JMA being way off in December with its amplitude but it still nailed the 500mb forecasts for Week 2. It kept wanting to spike the amplitude like the forecast above (and I mean spike it to the extreme in one day lead) when you obviously knew by looking that it was incorrect. Interesting to see if it busts hard here...still taking it with a mound of salt.


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Hopefully you're onto something and nice analysis, but my experience with the JMA operational is that it generally sucks (perhaps not as bad as NAM/NAVGEM) and that the GFS and ICON are better. Even the CMC may be better. The Euro is way better. With a sucky underlying operational, I'd expect the ensemble to be sucky, too, unless the ensemble is somehow based on a newer, improved underlying JMA (doubtful since I'd think that new and improved underlying JMA would be the new operational).



Meanwhile, crickets at Weather Bell with still no JB Saturday Summary. Last week's, which emphasized that winter was getting started 1/20 and that cold would dominate then through March, is still there. I wonder why:

https://www.weatherbell.com/
 
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View attachment 31439

The JMA’s MJO forecast has kind of been out to lunch lately and is way too amped in the central pacific and thus it takes longer for the wave to attenuate, which is why it’s showing phase 8 propagation. While I don’t think this scenario is impossible, given the forecast initialization errors and that this winter has been marred by strong/persistent +EPO (that the GEFS & EPS forecast) and that both the GEFS & ECMWF depict degeneration into phase 7, I’m skeptical of the nice -EPO JMA forecast in week 2. When the GEFS & ECMWF MJO forecasts agree (which doesn’t happen often), they’re usually correct. From multiple standpoints I’m cautious to buy into the JMA in spite of its recent string of forecast verification
So you'll take garbage models
18Z Euro joins the GFS, ICON, and the NAM as looking a bit better than the 12Z. Hmmm.
Mind showing
 
For the 1/22 period, northern stream dominant vortmax will likely be through central MO, coastal areas need central KS as a baseline.

I agree that It very likely won't happen, but only 100 miles separates much of the SE coast from the edge of the significant precip. on the 18Z runs and there's still ~60-72+ hours to go. What if upper features end up being 100 miles west of what the Euro and Icon have and the resultant sfc low is 100 miles further west? I realize that a further westward trend would need to get going almost immediately though.

I know it is a horrible model, but since it is agreeing with the trend of the other 18Z model runs: the 18Z NAVGEM also has a low center further west and stronger than what its 12Z had:

NAVGEM 18Z run:
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NAVGEM 12Z run:

1579398537430.png

NAVGEM 18Z run from 24 hours ago
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My 2nd GIF thanks to Webb: 12Z worse than 0Z but 18Z better than 12Z and looks even better than 0Z imo as there is lower pressure further west on the 18Z..so keeping the 10% chance in my mind

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Pivotal euro doesn't have 18z. Do you have 18z euro snow map for that light clipper?
 
I agree that It very likely won't happen, but only 100 miles separates much of the SE coast from the edge of the significant precip. on the 18Z runs and there's still ~60-72+ hours to go. What if upper features end up being 100 miles west of what the Euro and Icon have and the resultant sfc low is 100 miles further west? I realize that a further westward trend would need to get going almost immediately though.

I know it is a horrible model, but since it is agreeing with the trend of the other 18Z model runs: the 18Z NAVGEM also has a low center further west and stronger than what its 12Z had:

NAVGEM 18Z run:


NAVGEM 12Z run:



NAVGEM 18Z run from 24 hours ago

There is zero reason to think this is suddenly going to shift into something good for us. The trough is just not showing too many signs of going nuetral or negative in time.

At the same time if I was bullseyed at 60-72 hours left to go it would certainly change that's 100% guaranteed. It doesnt mean this is gonna change in any kind of favorable way but that changes could still show up.
 
0Z NAM similar to that semi-weenie 18Z NAM fwiw. Has the wound up sfc low again (though not as wound up) but note importantly about 50 miles west of the 18Z position.
 
College Dupage has a better map, I've been watching this closely. Nothing big, but gefs does show a few members with this look. I believe frozen onset isn't out of the question.
gfs_ref_frzn_seus_14.png
 
The 0Z GFS/GEFS trended slightly further offshore vs the 18Z. However, the 0Z CMC joins the group in having a stronger low and further west in response to the upper level energy going offshore:

0Z CMC

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0Z CMC 500 mb:
1579409525092.png

12Z CMC 500 mb:
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Up next, the very crucial Doc. If Doc is not any better than the 18Z or if it is worse, I’d likely reduce the chance further. But if it is better, I’d either keep the 10% chance or even increase it.
 
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The 0Z Good Doctor says "no" as it is a bit worse than 18Z and back toward the 12Z though not all the way there. As a result, I'm reducing the chance for precip to get back to the coast to a significant degree from 10% to 5%. Next up: 6Z models. Night night!
 
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Well, the upper feature has CHS taking note



It is interesting that a clipper-like system is expected to quickly
ripple over the region on Tuesday, slowly closing off at H5. As the
system passes over the CWA, H85 temperatures cool to -6 to -9C.
Using a blend of MOS, highs on Tuesday are expected to remain 10-13
degrees below normal. The core of the mid and high level moisture is
expected to pass to the south, however, cloud cover is expected to
increase through the daylight hours on Tuesday. By late Tuesday, the
mid-level disturbance will pass over the cold front over the western
Atlantic, resulting in cyclogenesis east of the Gulf Stream. As a
result, a few showers are forecast to develop across the outer GA
waters, temperatures in the upper 40s to low 50s should support all
liquid.
 
I have to admit, this pattern is actually serviceable.

If we make a few minor adjustments to the strength/depth of the Atlantic Canada trough and are somehow able to nudge the Hudson Bay ridge a smidge further north, and push this SW US trough & west coast ridge a little eastward we might have just enough to sneak a storm in. Obviously cold air will be lacking in general here because we have a +EPO/+NAO, but a deep enough Newfoundland trough (50/50 low) can provide us just enough at least if you're near the I-40 corridor in CAD favored areas.

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KATL has so far this month averaged the normal temperature for Gainesville, FL! But this will drop a good bit with the early week cold.
 
EPS doesn't look that bad from overnight. Looks to me that the LR trends are cooling and the once-torch is now starting to be replaced with a trough. Despite it being a bit east, it's decided to show up again and almost looks to be a split flow developing at the end as opposed to a -PNA.

Yeah, the 0Z EPS is only about 3 AN for days 6-15 averaged out vs the prior run of 5 AN. However, even the EPS has been cold biased of late (all models have been though the GEPS followed by GEFS have been the worst). So, it wouldn’t at all surprise me if it ends up being at +5 or warmer, especially considering the forecasted MJO as well as the AO/NAO indicating a continued lack of high latitude blocking.
Other than short cold periods like the one about to start, I’m leaning to no sustained cold until at least late Feb as of now. Hopefully that’s wrong but I see no reason to bet against it right now.
In the meantime, enjoy the cold of the next few days!
 
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Yeah, the 0Z EPS is only about 3 AN for days 6-15 averaged out vs the prior run of 5 AN. However, even the EPS has been cold biased of late (all models have been though the GEPS followed by GEFS have been the worst). So, it wouldn’t at all surprise me if it ends up being at +5 or warmer, especially considering the forecasted MJO and AO/NAO indicating a continued lack of high latitude blocking.
Other than short cold periods like the one about to start, I’m leaning to no sustained cold until at least late Feb as of now. Hopefully that’s wrong but I see no reason to bet against it right now.
I think it would be a good idea not to take the MJO forecast at face value other than for the next few days and wait and see. Last time we went around we ended up further to the left than expected, and for a range like that, it's really unpredictable especially as we dive into the COD.
 
Though coming down from extremely high levels, the GEFS AO forecast still is ugly and the GEFS has been underforecasting the AO by an average of 0.5 in the longer range. In addition, the NAO forecast is still positive. Combine all of that with an uninspiring for cold MJO forecast tells me the trend is my friend and that solidly AN averaged out over the next 4 weeks is the pattern to bet on though hopefully not anything like the torch we’ve had the prior 4 weeks. The good news is that history says a cold late Feb into March is quite doable, if not somewhat probable:

52F43488-C93E-4E90-9BA8-30066C339613.gif16111678-7B19-4F90-9338-B14B8A7DCF1E.gifB54CD432-A86C-486A-B636-B07C939DF0E8.gif



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Fwiw and not much I know, but the 3k NAM has the slp closer to the upper energy and closest to the coast. Verbatim you would think the precip shield would be a little more expansive to the NW, at least getting some to the coast. It's a long shot but I wouldn't discount the beaches seeing something fall just yet
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Fwiw and not much I know, but the 3k NAM has the slp closer to the upper energy and closest to the coast. Verbatim you would think the precip shield would be a little more expansive to the NW, at least getting some to the coast. It's a long shot but I wouldn't discount the beaches seeing something fall just yet
7463f39ff182ce1701d02318b6a44da3.jpg


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Currently just south of Myrtle for the weekend and yesterday was wonderful here, sunny mid 60s. Today it’s overcast and mid 60s already. Supposed to be around 30 tonight, big changes coming.
 
Fwiw and not much I know, but the 3k NAM has the slp closer to the upper energy and closest to the coast. Verbatim you would think the precip shield would be a little more expansive to the NW, at least getting some to the coast. It's a long shot but I wouldn't discount the beaches seeing something fall just yet
7463f39ff182ce1701d02318b6a44da3.jpg


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The new ICON is better as it actually has light snow near the coast in the Wilmington area (look closely for the small light blue area):C598CC16-108E-48A7-9AE1-0A2129BC5E0E.png
 
The new ICON is better as it actually has light snow near the coast in the Wilmington area (look closely for the small light blue area):View attachment 31460
Now take the slp location of the 3K NAM with the NW expansion of precip from the slp of the ICON and you got something lol

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Now take the slp location of the 3K NAM with the NW expansion of precip from the slp of the ICON and you got something lol

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I told myself I'd watch it till 12z tomorrow. Like I told rain cold, if I was expecting a foot it would definitely change in the short range. If I was I-17 or east I would be more interested but things still have time to make enough changes for coast to see some snow showers.
 
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