December 2023 Weather in the PNW

[BLI snowman]

24 minutes ago, Front Ranger said:

Given I was a baby, I remember nothing of this event.

However, it was probably the most impressive Arctic event in Denver history. Four straight days with highs below zero, including a high of -8 on the day referenced above. 

That month was just insanely, record cold for much of the nation. Sioux Falls, SD (I believe our poster @hawkstwelve lives there now) had a monthly high temp of just 27 degrees, and an average temp of 2.1 degrees, over 17 degrees below normal.

I think it was the most impressive arctic event overall in U.S. history in terms of coverage. Literally everywhere but the SW had some eye-popping stuff with that. Also wasn't super historic in New England but it still got bloody cold there.

Atlanta had a low of 0 the day following Olympia's -7.

Last December was kind of a homeless man's version I guess, with the coast to coast coverage. And then prior to that you probably have to go back to early February 1996 to find at least another fat-free version of it. 

 

[Timmy Supercell]

1 hour ago, Front Ranger said:

Given I was a baby, I remember nothing of this event.

However, it was probably the most impressive Arctic event in Denver history. Four straight days with highs below zero, including a high of -8 on the day referenced above. 

That month was just insanely, record cold for much of the nation. Sioux Falls, SD (I believe our poster @hawkstwelve lives there now) had a monthly high temp of just 27 degrees, and an average temp of 2.1 degrees, over 17 degrees below normal.

To think I once considered moving to Sioux Falls! I wouldn't mind visiting the Dakotas but that month sounds pretty miserable. Fun on paper though I bet.

I thought I was "roughing it" when Dec 2013 had an average low of 9 where I was. lol

[Deweydog]

Four and a half hours and the sun starts its trip back toward the Tropic of Cancer.

[TigerWoodsLibido]

Any temp below 12F is just absurd to me. I can't remember any instance of it when I was anywhere. Missed out on Dec 2013 on vacation for Christmas in Texas.

[Deweydog]

Alright, since the current weather is boring AF, I’m gonna keep em coming!

25 years ago RIGHT NOW it was in the low 20’s and SNOWING thanks to this little inside slider. My sister talked me into going Xmas shopping with her at Lloyd Center that morning and we then spent about two hours trying to get back across the big green bridge. Brilliant planning on our part.

[TT-SEA]

No wall of fog moving into Seattle this afternoon.    Fog retreated to the NW late this morning and early afternoon as flow increases ahead of incoming system. 

Sunny from the start out here today... North Bend got up to 55.

[SnowySeeker50]

Still quite foggy, currently 44f after a high of 46.

[TT-SEA]

5 minutes ago, SnowySeeker50 said:

Still quite foggy, currently 44f after a high of 46.

Just glancing at the satellite I thought all of the Seattle area cleared out but I zoomed in and see your fog.

 

[SilverFallsAndrew]

1 hour ago, BLI snowman said:

I think it was the most impressive arctic event overall in U.S. history in terms of coverage. Literally everywhere but the SW had some eye-popping stuff with that. Also wasn't super historic in New England but it still got bloody cold there.

Atlanta had a low of 0 the day following Olympia's -7.

Last December was kind of a homeless man's version I guess, with the coast to coast coverage. And then prior to that you probably have to go back to early February 1996 to find at least another fat-free version of it. 

 

On the southern plains it seemed like February 2021 got close?

[SilverFallsAndrew]

Dense fog and 44 near Silverton. 

[Snownerd3000]

Cloud seeders are busy! 

[TT-SEA]

54 minutes ago, SnowySeeker50 said:

Still quite foggy, currently 44f after a high of 46.

How did you post that pic because its automatically updating.   Fog cleared there.

[MWG]

Currently 44F Fog/Mist. It has been like this all day.

[TT-SEA]

Sunset on the shortest day of the year.   

[Anti Marine Layer]

17 minutes ago, TT-SEA said:

Sunset on the shortest day of the year.   

Not the earliest sunset though 

[TT-SEA]

Just now, Anti Marine Layer said:

Not the earliest sunset though 

Correct... sunset today was already 3 minutes later than it was a week ago.

[Phishy Wx]

Spokane still running a 2" precip deficit on the year.  pretty big deal when you only average around 17" of precip (water equivalent) a year

[BLI snowman]

1 hour ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

On the southern plains it seemed like February 2021 got close?

Absolutely. For TX/OK especially that thing was tops.

Daily depatures were around -45 in a lot of places down there. Sherman, TX had a maximum of 9, their lowest on record. OKC hit -14, their 2nd coldest on record.

Just not as widespread as 1983, but every bit as cold in the places it hit the hardest.

[Phil]

4 hours ago, Anti Marine Layer said:

I though you got a really bad sore throat

I did, but clinically that is defined as mild disease.

[Phil]

3 hours ago, BLI snowman said:

I think it was the most impressive arctic event overall in U.S. history in terms of coverage. Literally everywhere but the SW had some eye-popping stuff with that. Also wasn't super historic in New England but it still got bloody cold there.

Atlanta had a low of 0 the day following Olympia's -7.

Last December was kind of a homeless man's version I guess, with the coast to coast coverage. And then prior to that you probably have to go back to early February 1996 to find at least another fat-free version of it. 

 

More-so than 1899?

[Anti Marine Layer]

2 minutes ago, Phil said:

I did, but clinically that is defined as mild disease.

I only had a slightly sore throat. Sometimes I get worse sore throat with the common cold.

[Phil]

This is something, at least.

[Mercurial]

7 minutes ago, Phil said:

This is something, at least.

Perfect setup for Mid Atl snow.  Also gets the cold over to this hemisphere at least.

[The Winter Warlock]

Day 4 of COVID symptoms. One week since exposure tomorrow. Didn’t test positive until today. Thought the fam could avoid it, but alas, after 4 years, it has gotten us. Mild symptoms though - hoping it stays that way.

[Kayla]

5 hours ago, TT-SEA said:

Took this pic coming back home from NB.  Driveways really look like it just rained despite being totally sunny for two days now.   Low sun angle and lack of east wind.   Roads are dry due to traffic but it is interesting how damp it stays at this time of year in the absence of any wind.  Also the grass is really green for late December.   Just barely touched the freezing point only a couple times this month.

So green!

[Kayla]

4 hours ago, Front Ranger said:

Given I was a baby, I remember nothing of this event.

However, it was probably the most impressive Arctic event in Denver history. Four straight days with highs below zero, including a high of -8 on the day referenced above. 

That month was just insanely, record cold for much of the nation. Sioux Falls, SD (I believe our poster @hawkstwelve lives there now) had a monthly high temp of just 27 degrees, and an average temp of 2.1 degrees, over 17 degrees below normal.

Pretty wild that last years blast produced a -20F / -39F day in Bozeman. Good enough for a -29.5F mean temp. Coldest day on record by a whole 2 degrees. I'm still struggling to wrap my head around that. Something that even 1983, 1989 couldn't pull off.

Of course the duration of 1983 was next level.

[Mercurial]

17 minutes ago, Kayla said:

So green!

Looks like Montana in June lol

edit: or perhaps May given the bare trees.

[SnowySeeker50]

2 hours ago, TT-SEA said:

How did you post that pic because its automatically updating.   Fog cleared there.

Interesting. I just copied and pasted it, didn't think it would refresh like on the website.

[Kayla]

4 minutes ago, Mercurial said:

Looks like Montana in June lol

Yep...only 6 months away!!

[GHweatherChris]

32 minutes ago, SnowySeeker50 said:

Interesting. I just copied and pasted it, didn't think it would refresh like on the website.

Ya, if you copy paste images on the forum that auto update on their respective sites they will usually auto update on the forum as well, that's why when I post the 850 and 925 live temp maps and we pin them, they auto update every hour on here.

Edited December 22, 2023 by GHweatherChris

[BLI snowman]

1 hour ago, Phil said:

More-so than 1899?

That one really came more in different waves. The first big blast was more Western-centric from Feb. 1-5, and then the huge blast in the East was focused from the 9th-14th. 

[Ken in Wood Village]

6 hours ago, Deweydog said:

Forty years ago (yikes!) RIGHT NOW the mother of all -EPO’s was taking hold! In keeping with the recent animal motif, I remember riding with my dad on a snowy/windy 24th to Olney to pick up a kitten for my sister for Xmas. The cat, Noel, ended up living until New Year’s Day 2000, which a few days earlier was modeled to be VERY cold!

Extra points for anyone here whose actually been to Olney.

I was 16 years old and vaguely remember this Arctic Outbreak. It was a year before my family moved out to Gresham. Those days were a little blurry. There were only a few weather events I remember in those days. I'll have to tell you a story sometime

[Phishy Wx]

1 hour ago, Mercurial said:

Perfect setup for Mid Atl snow.  Also gets the cold over to this hemisphere at least.

I'll be in PA in Late January for work.  bring on the 'noreasta blizzard!

[Deweydog]

00z is running!

[TigerWoodsLibido]

Looks like a chance for 2 consecutive 60F burgers for Christmas. So ready to be away from this trash climate if this is the new fuckking normal.

[Slushy Inch]

2 hours ago, Phil said:

This is something, at least.

I posted about the improved weeklies. Not sure if anyone saw

[Phishy Wx]

7 hours ago, TT-SEA said:

Took this pic coming back home from NB.  Driveways really look like it just rained despite being totally sunny for two days now.   Low sun angle and lack of east wind.   Roads are dry due to traffic but it is interesting how damp it stays at this time of year in the absence of any wind.  Also the grass is really green for late December.   Just barely touched the freezing point only a couple times this month.

why is there a gate, what are they scared of?  seems like the middle of bumblefuuck

[Ken in Wood Village]

Since we are posting from the past. This is the mother of all storms I will never forget. I didn't have any weather gadgets but I did watch the news a lot and knew about this storm. I went to work early that day only to hear my work was sending everyone home. Mayor Vera Katz asked (or ordered) employers to send their employees to go home. I went home and was outside when I saw a tree across from my house start moving. About 10 minutes later, it fell onto the neighbors garage. I remember hearing Beaverton got hit hard with trees falling down. It was an amazing storm. 

[GobBluth]

16 minutes ago, Ken in Wood Village said:

Since we are posting from the past. This is the mother of all storms I will never forget. I didn't have any weather gadgets but I did watch the news a lot and knew about this storm. I went to work early that day only to hear my work was sending everyone home. Mayor Vera Katz asked (or ordered) employers to send their employees to go home. I went home and was outside when I saw a tree across from my house start moving. About 10 minutes later, it fell onto the neighbors garage. I remember hearing Beaverton got hit hard with trees falling down. It was an amazing storm. 

95-96 was an amazing Portland winter. Epic windstorm, a long spell of 1000 foot snow levels, snowstorms in lowlands, a wild mid afternoon arctic blast, more snow, freezing rain. Then everything went under water.

Addendum: the late January arctic blast is the only time I remember feeling the atmosphere "becoming" arctic. 

[Phil]

2 hours ago, Mercurial said:

Perfect setup for Mid Atl snow.  Also gets the cold over to this hemisphere at least.

I’m liking Jan 20-30th for a decent storm out here. And if that fails, Feb 10-20th when the MJO re-transits p8-1-2 and seasonal climo improves.

Assuming the SSW comes to fruition, it will act to amplify and slow the MJO. At that point, the IOD influence will be all but gone.