Weather Discussion

January 30, 2012

Today in weather history….

Two years ago at the end of January, a major winter storm impacted the central and eastern U.S. with snow and ice. The Raleigh News and Observer reported that there were 1,000 car accidents across the state, some power outages especially in the Southern Piedmont and Mountains, several injuries from car and sledding accidents and one fatality when a pedestrian was killed by a snowplow in Wayne County.

Today in weather history….

The year 2011 tied with 1997

as the 11th warmest year since records

began in 1880.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/weather-news/news/articles/slideshow-alabama-tornadoes_2012-01-23?role

Radar reflectivity image of the tornado that hit Clanton, Alabama which trapped people in overturned trailer homes, destroying the WKLF radio studio, and toppling a 302-foot high transmission tower.

 Satellite image taken at 9:45 am EST Monday January 23, 2012, of the major spring-like storm that spawned tornadoes over the Southern U.S. Image credit: NASA/GSFC.

Alaska Freezes while much of the Country Remains Tranquil...

While much of the country enjoys warm and tranquil weather, bitterly cold temperatures settled into northern Alaska bringing dangerous wind chill values of 50 to 75 degrees below zero. This graphic shows the actual low temperatures today in Alaska. Meanwhile, strong Santa Ana winds continued over southern California although not as strong as Friday. Strong winds were also common over portions of Montana and Wyoming where high wind watches and warnings were posted. High pressure and pleasant weather remained the main focus from the Great Lakes to the East Coast.

Alaska Freezes while much of the Country Remains Tranquil...

Weekend Conditions