DECEMBER 2023 Observations and Discussion

[WinterSquall23]

On 12/26/2023 at 12:35 PM, Niko said:

Some improvements coming, finally!!!!!

NOAA:

Colder air settles into the region late week into the weekend as a
Canadian high pressure builds into the area. Friday into Saturday
appear to the dry with the influence of this high with temperatures
settle to around 40 on Friday and into the mid/upper 30s Saturday
(which is closer to, but still a bit above average for the last days
of December). High temperatures will remain in the mid 30s Sunday
and Monday with minor snow chances returning as the northern stream
shortwave ushering in the continued colder air mass crosses the area
late this weekend.

Cool! This Christmas will probably go down as the most foggiest I have ever seen .  Hoping for snow soon! 

[Niko]

48 minutes ago, WinterSquall23 said:

Cool! This Christmas will probably go down as the most foggiest I have ever seen .  Hoping for snow soon! 

I know, this fog has been insanely crazy this year during Christmas. It reminded me of the Christmas song, "One Foggy Christmas Night." Btw; nice pic!!!!

[jaster220]

Lotta worms out there this evening

[westMJim]

The official H/L yesterday was 44/35 there was 0.04” of rain. There was no snow and now Grand Rapids is -16.4” below average in December and for the season GR is -21.9” below average this is a huge snowfall drought. There was 19% of possible sunshine. For today the average H/L is 33/22 the record high of 65 was set in 1984. The record low of -10 was set in 2017. The record snowfall of 5.4” fell in 1999. The most OTG of 19” was in 1951. Last year the H/L was 42/26 and there was 11” of snow OTG.

I remember the day of that record high of 65 it happened around 11PM for the record high on the 28^th and carried over past midnight and the record high for the 29^th is also 65. Before a warm front came thru there was 5” of snow on the ground that melted in a flash. A cold front came thru with big thunderstorms on the 29^th dropping the temperatures down into the 30’s and on New Years eve there was a snowstorm that dropped a total of 7.6” of snow at Grand Rapids and a big time ice storm in Kalamazoo.

[westMJim]

Grand Rapids is still on track to have the 2^nd least snowy month of December. At the current time there has been just 1.3” of total snow fall for December the record lowest of 1.0” fell in 2014. In 2^nd place is 2.3” in 1912 and again in 1913. And for the season the total of just 3.2” is in play for the lowest so deep into the winter season depending on how much snow we get before January 1^st we could set a new record for that as well the current record lowest is 3.6” if 1913. Unless we get over 4” this weekend we will end up in the 2^nd lowest snowfall for any October thru December.

[Black Hole]

I'll end December with 2.26" of rain, which I think is pretty close to normal. No thunder this month and no snow. My highest max was 73.2F and my lowest min was 27.1. I had 15 highs at or above 60F, but no highs below 40F. In other words, a consistently mild month but with periodic rainfall. 

[Black Hole]

Actually, I see my lowest high temperature of the year is still from October 29th. I also had a lower monthly minimum in October than December. Pretty abysmal lol. 

[Tom]

23 minutes ago, westMJim said:

Grand Rapids is still on track to have the 2^nd least snowy month of December. At the current time there has been just 1.3” of total snow fall for December the record lowest of 1.0” fell in 2014. In 2^nd place is 2.3” in 1912 and again in 1913. And for the season the total of just 3.2” is in play for the lowest so deep into the winter season depending on how much snow we get before January 1^st we could set a new record for that as well the current record lowest is 3.6” if 1913. Unless we get over 4” this weekend we will end up in the 2^nd lowest snowfall for any October thru December.

Interesting, that you mention 2014 being the least snowiest DEC on record but then the following 2 months ended up being one of the coldest periods (JAN-FEB) in recent years....I think JB is using that year as an analog.  I remember FEB '15 was brutal!

[Niko]

This clipper for sunday-sun nite keeps falling apart here for my area. Maybe a straight flurry or two. Models are drying this up as in moves over MI.

[mlgamer]

Even with high temps in the 30s the past three days, Topeka is still running at +7.0(F) temp anomaly for December. I'm sure that will be close to the top of the list for warmest Decembers here. Precip is above normal as well...2.92" (+1.58") along with 1.3" of snow.

[Niko]

Crazy! Check out Greenland...

 

[westMJim]

4 hours ago, Tom said:

Interesting, that you mention 2014 being the least snowiest DEC on record but then the following 2 months ended up being one of the coldest periods (JAN-FEB) in recent years....I think JB is using that year as an analog.  I remember FEB '15 was brutal!

The winter of 2014/15 was a kind of strange winter season. Unlike this winter season that winter had a weak El Nino vs this years strong one. That winter started off with a cold November -5.7 and snowy 31.0" and here in December the temperature was +1.5 with at 1.0" snow fall. Then January and February had a combined mean of just 17.3 and here is Grand Rapids there was a seasonal snow fall of 78.1" with 31.0" of that falling in November. we shall see how this winter ends up playing out.  Would like to add that December 2015 was the warmest on record in Michigan while 2023 will be the 2nd warmest.

[westMJim]

@Niko While areas to our west on on track for their warmest December on record here in Michigan all major locations are on tap for there 2nd warmest. With Detroit on tap for their 3rd warmest. In all locations December 2015 was the warmest. at Detroit 1881 will remain the 2nd warmest with 2023 in 3rd place.

[westMJim]

The official HL yesterday at Grand Rapids was 44/38 there was 0.17” of rainfall there once again was no snowfall. The also was no sunshine. For today the average H/L is 33/22 the record high of 65 was set in 1984 the record low of -4 was set in 1909 that year also had the most snow OTG with 14”. The wettest was the 1.38” that fell in 1990 the most snowfall of 5.8” was in 1980. Last year the H/L was 54/40 the day started with 8” of snow OTG.

[OttumwaSnomow]

1.8" snow fell this final wave in eastern Iowa and .13 melted precip.  The past 8 days have been very wet by SE Iowa standards 2.01 inches of total precip which was mostly rain.  Temps hovering  near 32  have meant zero plowing but quite a bit of salting. One tidbit is that in the past 1.5 winters we have only plowed residential  driveways 2 times!!! But have did extremely  well on  top end commercial  accounts salting maybe 16 to 18 times! Also I have recorded 2.73" precip in December  by far the wettest  month compared  to normal precip  here. Oh and I have 4.5" snow so far for the season, not as bad as you would think.

[chescowxman]

That strange light in the sky is indeed sun today! Today should be our last well above normal temperature day for a while. We should see temperatures closer to normal as we finish 2023 and move into 2024. It looks dry till about Thursday morning or so when we might see a chance of some snow showers.

Records for today: High 73 (1984) / Low -2 (1917) / Rain 3.48" (1901) / Snow 4.7" (1935)

[Niko]

On 12/27/2023 at 10:11 PM, jaster220 said:

Lotta worms out there this evening

I wanted to post this as well, but kept forgetting. So, I saw one deep inside my grass a couple of days ago and told my wife, you are not going to believe what I just spotted in our grass. I was experimenting up close on how my grass has gotten greener and greener w/ time (so ridiculously weird), and that is when I caught a glimpse of that sucka. This is a crazy, winter pattern we are in amigo. I truly hope it changes soon.

[WinterSquall23]

On 12/27/2023 at 12:13 PM, Niko said:

So far, this month my area has picked up 0.1" of snowfall. Least amount is 0.0" set back in 1889. Holding in top 5 snowless Decembers so far. Lets see how much snow we can get this Sunday w/ that clipper. Not much is expected, but we can certainly see something add up to it.

Agreed this stretch of weather we have had reminds me of some winters I experienced in the Northwest.  (West of the Cascades) . Days and days of fog accompanied by endless rain/drizzle.  To see at least some snow flying will be great. 

 

 

 

[Black Hole]

One thing I do like about recent model trends is the increasing snow cover over the next 2 weeks for southern Canada and the upper midwest in general. This will help to at least get something on the ground for cold airmasses the 2nd half of January onwards. 

Though there remains the potential for a big storm somewhere in the midwest towards January 10, there is still no strong signal, with most areas averaging less than 3" on the EPS for that period. Just got to watch and wait. 

[chescowxman]

With not much going on weather wise at least in my area....how about another Top 25 List for Chester County PA? Below are the Top 25 snow months (except for October) in rank order

[OttumwaSnomow]

2 minutes ago, chescowxman said:

With not much going on weather wise at least in my area....how about another Top 25 List for Chester County PA? Below are the Top 25 snow months (except for October) in rank order

I guess  you had all rain on that  monster march 30, 31 1942? Higher elevations west of Baltimore  got 40" plus.

[chescowxman]

6 minutes ago, OttumwaSnomow said:

I guess  you had all rain on that  monster march 30, 31 1942? Higher elevations west of Baltimore  got 40" plus.

[Clinton]

Good afternoon from Arlington Texas.  I'm here to watch Mizzou in the Cotton Bowl.  Currently it's sunny and 56. Go Tigers!

[Clinton]

 

NWS Kansas City

 

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Fun fact: Only 3 of the 136 Decembers on record for KC have had a coldest temperature of 20 degrees or warmer. The lowest temp this December is 21 degrees. That would be the second warmest with only the 24 degrees in 1931 being warmer

[westMJim]

The official H/L at Grand Rapids yesterday was 42/32. There was 0.03” of rainfall. There was no sunshine. With the mean temperature of 38.6 this will be the 2^nd warmest December on record here in Grand Rapids. With the current December snowfall of just 1.3” depending on how much snow fall is reported tomorrow this will either be the 2^nd or 3^rd least snowy December of record. And the seasonal total of just 3.2” plus what may or may not fall tomorrow the winter of 2023/24 will be the least total snowfall at the start of a winter season. For today the average H/L is 33/22 the record high of 60 was set in 1936 and the record low of -11 was set in 1976 the wettest December 30^th was in 1972 with 1.75” the most snowfall of 7.0” fell in 2001the most OTG was in 1909 with 14” Last year the H/L was 54/38 and there was just a trace of snow on the ground.

The current temperature here in MBY is 24 and there is a lot of frost on the cars that are parked outside. This is the first time in 8 nights that it has gotten into the 20's 

[westMJim]

12 hours ago, Clinton said:

Fun fact: Only 3 of the 136 Decembers on record for KC have had a coldest temperature of 20 degrees or warmer. The lowest temp this December is 21 degrees. That would be the second warmest with only the 24 degrees in 1931 being warmer

That got me to thinking to see where Grand Rapids stands for this warm December. Well the coldest it has gotten here this month so far is just 22 and if that holds for the next 2 nights that 22 will be the warmest lowest for any December of record here in Grand Rapids a low of 21 is the current lowest and that was set in 2015

[chescowxman]

We almost hit freezing for the 1st time in a week across a couple spots this AM with Warwick Township at 32.3 and East Nantmeal at 32.7. Better chance tonight for widespread freezing temps. A chillier day today with increasing clouds and a couple flurries or sprinkles possible early this PM. While it will feel colder than it has been it will only be dropping to near normal levels to close out December.

Records for today: High 63 (1898) / Low 9 below zero (1917) / Rain 1.56" (1912) / Snow 3.8" (2017)

[Timmy Supercell]

There was a cold blast now in 1983. Current lows to highs are relatively average. 

[Tom]

CAM’s all dialing in on a nice light festive NYE/Day snow around the Lakes, esp around midnight along the lake in Chitown!  Send pics and vids boys!

[james1976]

Low stratus today in advance of a weak clipper. MPX is saying maybe an inch of snow this evening. That would be nice. And then the upcoming active pattern. Might actually start to feel like winter.

[Hoosier]

Indianapolis still hasn't had measurable snow this season, as the seasonal total is a trace.  The record latest date for measurable snowfall (0.1" or greater) is January 4.  There is some possibility of measurable snow occurring tomorrow, but if that does not occur, then this record will end up being broken as there are no other opportunities for snow by January 4.

Latest measurable snowfalls at Indianapolis:

Jan 4 (1941)

Dec 29 (1986)

Dec 25 (1918)

Dec 24 (1905 and 2001)

Dec 22 (1896)

Dec 21 (1998)

Dec 20 (1965)

 

[james1976]

Freezing drizzle past couple hours. Roads are starting to ice up a bit. Target parking lot was a bit slick. Our backup car parked out in the driveway has a thin coating of ice. Low stratus all day kept it quite dark and the freezing drizzle started falling. MPX update says there is a slight chance of convection with the snow this evening as the clipper moves through. Still expecting an inch but they said maybe inch and a half if any convection occurs. Nice to finally experience some winter weather. 

[james1976]

Scored a Winter Weather Advisory! Unfortunately not for snow but for freezing drizzle. Crashes on I-35 and around the area.

[gabel23]

9 hours ago, Timmy Supercell said:

There was a cold blast now in 1983. Current lows to highs are relatively average. 

That 1983 winter was a beast I think for most of the lower 48. My area was below zero for a week straight. I was born on the 21st and my parents had to drive 20 miles in a blizzard with temps well below zero to get to the hospital. I swear to this day is the reason I love the snow and cold so much! 

[OttumwaSnomow]

46 minutes ago, gabel23 said:

That 1983 winter was a beast I think for most of the lower 48. My area was below zero for a week straight. I was born on the 21st and my parents had to drive 20 miles in a blizzard with temps well below zero to get to the hospital. I swear to this day is the reason I love the snow and cold so much! 

Xmas day 1983 was the coldest day I ever saw in my 23 years living in Maryland.   It was minus 18 on my Grampas farm in Mtairy, Md.  Its about 1000ft elevation  and  was serious cold air avection and wind. I remember it warm above zero quickly. Our cattle and animals barely survived  it.

[james1976]

All snow now for a few hours. Pushing an inch. Forecast on par so far.

[westMJim]

The official H/L yesterday at Grand Rapids was 44/25. There was no rain/snow. The sun was out a reported 17% of the time. For today the official H/L is 33/21. The record high of 60 was in 1965 the winter of 1965/66 was also a strong El Nino winter. The lowest on this date was -14 in 1976. The wettest was 0.75” that fell as 8.2” of snow in 1957. The most snowfall of 9.7” was in 1957 the most on the ground was 13” in 2000. Last year the H/L was 38/32 and there was a trace of snowfall.

While some have liked while others have not this winter has been a rather historic winter season so far. December will be the 2^nd warmest on record for most locations and at Muskegon it will be the warmest. Depending on how much snowfall is recorded today it will be either the 2^nd or 3^rd least snowy December at Grand Rapids. And the least snowy start to any winter season. There has been just 3.2” of total snowfall this season so far at Grand Rapids and the most on the ground at 7AM so far this season is just a trace.

[Clinton]

December and 2023 will finish up a little chilly.  Let's get winter going at least for awhile!

[james1976]

Ended up with atleast 1.5" from the clipper last night. Nice to see snow on the ground. Hopefully a sign of things to come!

[jaster220]

Snow fell here at the new place a couple of times today. Just enough to coat the ground with a couple or few tenths. This evening after dark it got a bit windier and temps were in the 20's so even the roads were getting coated. It looked and felt legit winter a couple times this evening.