The Dynamics of Frontogenesis

We often see fronts on weather maps on television or the internet. In this blog, we’ll discuss the formation and intensification of fronts, known as frontogenesis. Strictly speaking, frontogenesis is defined as an increase in the magnitude of a horizontal density gradient. To explain the dynamics of frontogenesis, we begin by looking at the frontogenetical … Read more

An Overview of the May 20, 2013 Tornado

The tornado outbreak in Oklahoma on May 20, 2013 occurred on the last day of a series of three consecutive days with significant severe weather. On this day, the most deadly tornado of the year for the United States occurred in Moore, Oklahoma. The tornado that tracked through Moore had developed near Chickasha, Oklahoma and … Read more

Potentially Historic Blizzard to Impact Parts of the Northeast

Special Update (Tuesday, January 27 at 12:11 am EST):  At midnight, snowfall rates in excess of 2 inches per hour were moving west toward New York City. This band has been showing a decrease in intensity over the past couple of hours as the storm intensifies offshore and both the atmospheric energy and mesoscale forcing contract … Read more

Freezing Rain Over Portions of the Appalachians through Tuesday (12/2)

The potential for freezing rain has increased for tonight through Tuesday across portions of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. A cold front moving through the region will allow temperatures to drop below freezing later today and into tonight. The 12Z Wilmington, Ohio sounding revealed a deep warm layer aloft; however, as the rain begins to … Read more

Heavy Snow Impacting Holiday Travel over the mid-Atlantic & New England

Important Tools: Interactive & Predictive Radar | Weather Advisories Heavy snow is continuing across the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast as an area of low pressure moves northward along the eastern seaboard. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for a large portion of the inland mid-Atlantic and New England.  Be sure to check road conditions along … Read more

Forecast Highlights for Thanksgiving Travelers

If you’re traveling over Thanksgiving, it will be an active holiday week across the nation. In this blog, we’ll go over some of the potential trouble spots across the country.  Below are some forecast highlights. Important Tools: Interactive & Predictive Radar | Weather Advisories Wednesday Pacific Northwest/Rockies: Rain and higher elevation snow will be likely … Read more