Monday, March 24, 2014

El Nino Could Strike Back Soon

When you look at the past several years, rain has been very hard to come by. In fact, I have personally been appalled by the lack of precipitation. Not only has this had an effect on our community here in the Brazos Valley, but throughout the entire state. Lakes are looking like creators, streams are flowing slowly, and crops are not as bountiful. However, I do have potentially great news for us in the long term. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is monitoring the ocean temperatures around the equator in the Pacific Ocean. Signals suggest that by the summer, a new El Niño could emerge. El Niño is not a storm by any means, but rather a warming of the waters in the eastern Pacific around the equator. Despite this simple sounding phenomenon, it has reaching affects around the entire globe, including us here in Texas.

Signs of an El Niño include a rise in pressure over Indonesia and trade winds in the south Pacific slowing down or moving towards the east. In turn, this allows warmer water at the surface to flow towards South America. As the water warms, there will be more moisture and heat energy in the atmosphere to enhance the formation of rainfall.

As of the current forecast, the trade winds are expected to have a very strong component towards the east, rushing in very warm water. Due to this theory, water temperatures could rise between 7-10 degrees above average, which would be compared to one of the strongest El Niño’s on record (1997-1998). If this actually shapes up, we are in for a great pattern that favors more rain by autumn.

Just know that this is not 100% guaranteed, but if this El Niño happens to emerge, it could be strong and provide a huge benefit to all of us.

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Take a look up once in a while; you never know what you’ll miss.

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Wednesday, March 19, 2014

A Little More Haze In The Sky

You might have seen a slight brown shading to the sky. Your eyes are not playing a trick from you, its actually dust from the storm that blew through west Texas on Tuesday. As the dust approaches the Brazos Valley, it remained suspended in the sky. Most of the dust will stay above the ground, with little, if any at the surface. If you have respiratory problems, make sure to take it easy until Friday morning, when the dust completely clears us.

On another note, high pressure will move in and keep the tranquil weather in tact for the rest of the work week. By the weekend, more moisture combine with additional energy will help to produce rain showers. At the moment, the timing of any showers should be from Saturday evening until Monday afternoon. The timing can change, and I will keep you updated. Use this as a heads up.

Tonight: A mostly clear sky with some haze, cool. Low: 45°
Thursday: Mostly sunny with some haze, pleasant. High: 73°
Thursday Night: A few more clouds in the sky, still a little hazy, not as cool. Low: 54°
Friday: The haze should move out and a mostly cloudy sky developing, breezy too. High: 76° 

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Weather Update 3-12-14

What a wild, windy afternoon. Gusts across the entire Brazos Valley peaked over 40mph at times. As the evening wares on, high pressure will move in and relax the wind. In fact, high pressure will have firm control on Thursday and Friday. Therefore, expect more sunshine, and as the high progresses to the east, a south flow will develop, allowing the temperatures to rebound too.

Looking ahead, clouds and even rain should return for the weekend. Adjustments in the weekend forecast will be made, and KAGS-HD Weather will keep you informed. Use this information as a heads up at this time.

Tonight: Clear, calmer, and chilly. Low 37°

Thursday: Sunny and pleasant, a south breeze develops. High: 67°

Thursday Night: Clear, a bit breezy, and cool. Low: 45°

Friday: Partly cloudy, milder, and breezy. High: 69°

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Wind Advisory From 7AM - 7PM Wednesday

Hold on tight because the wind will be howling tonight and tomorrow. This evening, the wind will be pointed from the south, keeping that mild to warm feeling around. However, past midnight, a cold front will move in and change things up. The front should come though dry, therefore, there is no threat of precipitation.

Furthermore, in the wake of this front, a strong high pressure center will approach the Brazos Valley.
Before the center of the high move in, the wind will be the biggest headline stealer. Expect the wind to be sustained between 20-30mph, with occasional gusts over 40mph on Wednesday. Additionally, the wind will be coming from the north, spilling in colder air. The thermometer will have a tough time reaching 60° on Wednesday.

Overall, its going to be much cooler, and very windy. My suggestion is to secure loose objects around your house or they might blow away. Also, it would be best to avoid any outdoor fires Wednesday as any fire could spread quickly with the weather expected.


High pressure crests over the area Wednesday night, calming the wind and helping the bring temperatures down into the 30s by Thursday morning.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Forecast Update 3-10-14

Following some fog, mist, and even rain during the weekend, the sun came out to begin the work week. With high pressure overhead, Monday turned out to be a top notch weather day. However, there is an upper level disturbance over northern Mexico that will influence us tonight and early on Tuesday morning.
Several showers will try to make it into the Brazos Valley late tonight and continue into the early morning hours on Tuesday. At this time, the heaviest rain should hug the Texas coast, while we are clipped with several showers. It is possible that we could hear a rumble of thunder, but all storms that generate will be well below severe limits. 

Into Tuesday afternoon this batch of rain will move out to the east and the sun will begin to shine in limitation for the afternoon. At the same time, the wind will pick up ahead of a cold front that is scheduled to push though around Midnight Tuesday/Wednesday.
Behind the front, expect the clouds to move out, the wind to remain gusty, and colder air to travel down.

Tonight: Becoming cloudy, several showers late, a rumble of thunder is possible, light fog late. Low: 54°

Tuesday: A few showers in the early morning, then turning mostly cloudy, and breezy. High: 76°

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, turning windy overnight. Low: 48°
Wednesday: Sunny, windy, and cooler. High: 63°