Dec 21, 2012

North Atlantic Storm and Midwest Blizzard

On December 13th, this North Atlantic Storm dropped to 947 mb:

 According to ASCAT passes from 11-15Z Dec13th, this storm was producing gale force winds both on the coast of Spain and off the west coast of Greenland - about 2200 nautical miles away.

This winter storm has been affecting the central US over the past three days (Dec 19-21):

It has produced 20 inches of snow at 7 SW of Madison, WI, and a 100 mph wind gust at Gatlinburg, TN. EF1 tornadoes have been confirmed at Lavaca, AR, Sheridan, AR (several minor injuries reported), and Mobile, AL (several minor injuries and estimated millions of dollars of damage). Blizzard warnings (red) were issued from Colorado to Wisconsin:
The map above also shows the freeze warnings for Tucson, AZ and Bakersfield, CA, and frost advisory for San Diego, CA for the morning of December 20th. That morning the lows were 31 at Tucson, 28 at Bakersfield, 42 at San Diego Lindbergh International, 38 at San Diego Montgomery Field, and 35 at San Diego Mitscher Field. The blizzard warnings were later extended to Springfield and Decatur in Illinois:
The 982 mb low passed right over Chicago yesterday afternoon (Dec 20th):
Radar and Water vapor imagery: