Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Cool, Stormy Weather To Give Way to Summery Warmth by Late May

I'm expecting some cool and stormy weather in mid-May to eventually give way to a shot of above-normal temperatures, before a cool spell returns for late May.

* A quick note, I have had at least 8 comments telling me that my late April-early May forecast was wrong, with more than a couple of these comments delivered with a less-than-enticing attitude. I've been receiving these comments for 2 weeks now- enough is enough. I don't expect myself to be correct 100% of the time, and I certainly hope no one else expects that of me, either.

Tropical Tidbits
The latest GFS Ensemble forecast above, valid on the evening of May 6th, shows troughing and cool weather present over Japan. By using the East Asia / Typhoon Rule, we can estimate that cool and stormy weather is can be expected around May 13-17th or so. Judging by the weak negative 500mb height anomalies, I'm only expecting a weak chill in the US, with the strongest cold weather allocated further north.

Tropical Tidbits
By the morning of May 9th, we see that the western portion of that elongated trough, seen in eastern China on the first image we analyzed, as now become a closed low and is progressing through Japan. If we once again apply this correlation, it is understood that a strong closed low may traverse the United States between a May 15-19th period. When this low comes through, I'm estimating we see it hit primarily the northern and central thirds of the nation, if you were to slice the US into thirds, horizontally. Cooler than normal temperatures can be expected with this, as well.

Tropical Tidbits
We finally do get relief in mid-late May, we a massive ridge of high pressure pumps up over Japan on May 11th, sticking around for a little while. This tells me we can then anticipate a period of anomalously warmer than normal weather in the United States around May 16-22nd or so.

Tropical Tidbits
Unfortunately, long range ensemble guidance supports the return of troughing and associated cold weather in Japan by May 16th, leading to potentially cooler and stormier weather in time for Memorial Day weekend.

Andrew