MN Transplant

Heading south yesterday, the foliage really started popping at about the NC/VA border.

Gusted to 43 and I’m usually low by 5-10.

Not sure how it is going up there, but road tripping down here!

More 000 NOUS41 KWBC 291820 PNSWSH Public Information Statement 22-17 National Weather Service Headquarters Silver Spring MD 220 PM EST Tue Mar 29 2022 To: Subscribers: -NOAA Weather Wire Service -Emergency Manager Weather Information Network -NOAAPORT Other NWS Partners And Employees From: Michelle Mainelli, Acting Director Office of Observations Subject: Changes in Weather Balloon Launch Frequency Effective March 29, 2022 Effective March 29 and until further notice, the National Weather Service is reducing the frequency of weather balloon launches at several upper air locations in the United States due to a global supply chain disruption of helium and a temporary issue with the contract of one hydrogen supplier. The National Weather Service launches weather balloons from 101 upper air sites throughout the United States and the Caribbean, using helium to inflate the balloons at 12 of these sites. The agency converted the remaining sites to hydrogen because it is cost effective and a more reliable gas option. Approximately 9% of the total upper air sites are currently affected by the gas shortage and temporary contract issue, including 5 of the 12 helium sites and 4 hydrogen sites. We anticipate that these issues will impact additional upper air sites. To ensure there is enough gas on-hand to launch balloons in support of forecasts during hazardous weather, the affected sites have either reduced launches to once per day or suspended flights during calm weather days. This temporary adjustment will not impact weather forecasts and warnings.The affected sites benefit from data collected by balloons launched from neighboring upper air sites. Be assured we will take all steps possible to mitigate the supply chain and contracting issues. Radiosondes are instruments attached to weather balloons that send back a wide range of upper atmospheric data to support weather forecasts, including temperature, dew point, relative humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed, wind direction. Radiosondes are one of many technologies that collect earth observation data for use in weather modeling and forecasting. Data is also collected from instruments aboard commercial aircraft, surface observing stations, satellites, radars, and buoys. The National Weather Service will continue converting sites to hydrogen where locations, leases and safe operations allow, and as funding becomes available. If you or your organization have any questions about these changes, please contact: Susan Buchanan Director of Public Affairs National Weather Service Phone: 202-834-5235 E-mail: [email protected] National Service Change Notices are online at: https://www.weather.gov/notification/

There isn't much out there that is public that I've found. There is a listserv that I'm on that has been discussing it, and they listed LWX as one of the locations. Sure enough, I went to the Wyoming sounding site and it was a no-go today.

I don’t think I’ve seen it mentioned here, but Sterling is one of the upper-air sounding sites that have suspended regular launches to the lack of available hydrogen and helium.

What a truly awful day

That streamer near Frederick is putting down a coating per family.

Technically it is the greatest depth during the day.

I want this lapse rate in the summer!

Raining pretty good here.

Giving Bastardi a run for his money. Where is my global cooling anyway?

Yeah, I'm like 9th out of 15 in my league, but have the most points possible left on the board, so that's something.

You beat me to it. I remember a fun Mar/Apr event a few years back that was a convective graupel shower. Would not be surprised if someone gets that on Saturday. edit - 3/22/2029 edit2 - I'm leaving it

6z GFS tries to snow on us Tue/Wed next week.

And now near DC.

I think there is a seasonal dependence to the wind around here. We can and do get wind from Oct-Apr, but it is doldrums in the Summer. That's not the case elsewhere in the country. Wind Resource Maps and Data | Geospatial Data Science | NREL

It is really funny. This is one of the least windy places in the country. The problem here, however, is that the trees aren't accustomed to a constant wind, so they are more susceptible to significant wind events.

Anything that helps prevent a huge heat dome building over the plains and spilling east this summer is A-ok with me.

The models generally blew it today. Was looking like low to mid 60s and more clouds.

Almond tree looking good

Yeah, that is an interesting part of meteorological history. Until 1950, U.S. Weathermen Were Forbidden From Talking About Tornados - Atlas Obscura

And no bugs yet!

Hope it goes well. I’ve had stones but no obstruction before. Clicked around and found Williston ND would have a 9:45am sunrise in late Dec. LOL. I understand people not liking the clock switch, but it really is hugely helpful the further north you go. I’m more afraid we are going to end up with an unwieldy patchwork if locations are allowed to do what they wish.

Falls Church, VA 1/3/22 - 8.8" 1/7/22 - 2.8" 1/16/22 - 2.8” 1/28/22 - 1.2" 2/13/22 - 0.5" 3/12/22 - 1.7" Total: 17.8” (94% of climo)