Actually 2002 - 2003 was really "good" by NC standards, at least where I was in the Triad. Several minor events and persistent cold. One of my favorites. 2001 - 2002 was awful on the other hand.
I'm not sure they could be called tremendous. The airmass was always horrible. But both models "saw" that if everything went exactly right in the best possible way, a nice storm could result.
Wouldn't it be ironic if we had two cold, dry -EPO periods sandwiched around the January Pack Puke warm/moist period. Good thing for me I also enjoy cold dry weather.
Checking in the long range, at 10 MB, both the GEFS and the GEPS have the SPV somewhat stretched and off to the side with significant warmth over Siberia. Hopefully is a sign that it is not well coupled to the TPV.
Still don't like the warm anomalies from coast to coast in Canada. They should be cooling down first right? It's certainly better than current conditions though.
Ok. So as of today the pattern could improve ~Jan 20th, with probably at least a week to recover temperatures after that. So by ~ Jan 27th there could be hope. All we can do is take it 1 day at a time.
@WxWatcher007 heading south to take on part-time contract work to handle the dangerous overload of weenies heading to the cliffs. It's a public service.
First step of getting out of a hole is: stop digging. I'll be happy if the mild pacific air actually cuts off and then I'll worry about the recovery time.
The SPV looking somewhat stretched in the long range on the 18z GEFS. Doesn't necessarily imply anything good in the troposphere but I like seeing it better than a big blue consolidated bowling ball. Note the warm anomaly growing in Siberia.
Not disputing your general point, but how many other perfect attack rainstorms have there been this winter? I thought this was the first. Doesn't seem like there has really been that many strong storms period other the pre-Christmas monster.
Yes I can see the jetstream at 250 MB, but I am trying to understand what features (at the surface or at 500 MB) make it strong or weak and make it point this way or that way.
I have been hanging around here for years and have learned a lot. But for the life of me I cannot look at a height field and visually tell what the temperatures anomalies are going to look like.
My understanding is that the current NA torch is due to a strong flow of Pacific air. In NH plot below is there a feature or features which I could look at at and instantly say: Paciifc Fire hose?
If anyone wants to pull out the John Madden telestrator and diagram a few things that would be even better.
I've been complaining about it being impossible for it to go into phase 1 . It'll be ironic it if does it in the middle of a torch. At least it's not making it worse.