MONTHLY SUMMARY: DECEMBER 1998 UPDATED: 2/6/99 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ...December Arrives Warm and Departs Cold... ...Great Ice Storm Wreaks Havoc on Central Sections of Virginia and North Carolina... ...Temperatures Well-above Normal; Rainfall Varies Across the Region... Bet you thought I'd forgotten December!! Naw, just have been swamped with work (adding the Internet to our school's network!), ODU women's and men's basketball games, and taking a class at ODU in Internet navigation (and the professor believes in a lot of online research!!!!) So, here we are in a return zonal flow, likely due to the La Nina effect which follows the El Nino event. Other than the cold snap of late December and early January, we are all enjoying a relatively quiet winter with the cold bottled up north of the border. With interest, I'm sure you're seeing the record Alaskan cold and you snowbirds are squawking for a southeastward plunge. According to computer models, you'll have to wait for any such event after mid-month when winter normally begins to wane. Of course, March can be an interesting winterlike month, but climate trends work against that now. You know, the last major snowstorm for Southeast Virginia was in 1989 when 22" of snow fell in February!! Overall, mainly due to record warmth the first of the month, temperatures regionally were above normal. Rainfall for the mountains and foothills averaged somewhat below normal while rainfall on the Piedmont areas and along the coastal plains was well above normal. At month's end and beginning around the 23rd and 24th, blustery, colder conditions with some light snowfall accumulations were seen throughout our reporting area, even to the coastal areas of Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina. However, the big news during the month was the severe ice storm (see picture enclosed) just before Christmas which paralyzed central North Carolina and Virginia. Power was knocked out for days at the height of the storm with many Carolinians and Virginians not regaining power until the New Year!! Want to give special thanks to Eleanor Vallier-Talbot, a NWS meteorologist (who left the snows of Boston for Charleston) and former IWW member. She has kindly sent us the monthly summaries for CHS since they are almost impossible to find on the Net or even through commercial providers. Eleanor reaffirms the need for strong relationships between the NWS and those of us who work so hard to complement their efforts. More, like her, are needed!! We have two prospective members set to join us in 1999. Roger Nolter of Goose Creek, SC has just moved there and is setting-up a station. Observer Robert Boott of Vienna, VA- friend of current members Paul Bassett and Lowell Koontz- has expressed interest in joining soon. Welcome!! As you know, the price of stamps rose to 33 cents on the 10th of January, so please send the new stamps or 32 cents plus 1 cent stamps if you have leftover 32s. NOTES FROM "AROUND THE LEAGUE"- Alexandria - December snowfall was the only measurable one during the year 1998! The high temp of 29 on the 23rd was the first daily high temp less than 32 degrees for the entire year!! The high temp for '98 was 101 degrees set on July 22nd and the low temp for the year was 16 set on the first day of the year. Only 10.23" fell in the period July-December. 9.01" of rain in June capped a wet 1st half of 1998 with a 37.99" total. Annandale - Lowell reports that December was warm and dry. Total precip was 1.72" below normal. The 77 degree high on the 6th and 7th were the highest December maxes ever at this site. December produced 5 days on which the high equalled or was in excess of 70 degrees, a new record!! The ground temp at the 1' depth also set a new record for the month... 48 degrees, 8 above normal! The barometric reading of 30.66" was the highest in December since 1993. Arlington - NWS WBC notes: report not received and that is rare!! Bridgewater - Clayton's monthly and yearly notes: "The temperature was 4.1 degrees above normal and the precipation was .49 inches below normal. The first snow ot the winter season occurred on the 24th when .75 inches fell. This was the first white Christmas since 1989 when a skiff accumualted on Christmas Day. On the 23rd, sleet and freezing rain occurred causing many accidents. 1998 Weather: The total precipitation for the year was 37.26" which was just .6 inches below normal. The average temperature was 57.35 degrees which was 4.1 degrees above normal. The total snowfall was 7.5" which was 16.42" below normal. There were 28 thunderstorms. There was an abrupt change in the weather on July 1. It was as if the great weather maker threw a switch from wet to dry. The total precipitation for the first six months was 28.47 inches with a monthly average of 4.7 inches. In the last six months only 8.79 inches occurred with a monthly average of 1.5 inches. The first six months produced 28 thunderstorms, while only 4 occurred during the last six months. This past year was the warmest year in at least 37 years which is the extent of my record-keeping on temperatures. The average temperature of 57.35 degrees was 4.1 degrees above normal. Every month during the year was above normal in temperatures. The first killing frost in the fall occurred on October 23. The first snowfall of the 1998-99 winter season occurred on December 24 when .75 inches was measured. There were no severe winter storms, no severe thunderstorms, or severe flooding during 1998 in the Bridgewater area. However, the heavy rains in the spring caused flooding of streams and low-lying areas. It is unbelievable that a severe drought occurred during the last part of the year, when the average precipitation for the year was just about normal. At the end of the first six months, the precipitation was about 11 inches above normal. The precipitation for the last six months was around 11 inches below normal." Centreville - Paul reports he didn't receive his November report. If this occurs with you too, then please let me know!! The first week of the month felt like the end of September being some 120% above normal (+6.8 degrees)!! Precip was only 55% (-1.46") of the normal. Falls Church - December was noted for record warmth with temps 75-80 for the 4th through the 7th. Our average high was a whopping 4 degrees above the norm with the average low 2 degrees above normal. Rainfall to was below normal, about an inch. Snowfall was 2 inches below normal. Fredericksburg - The 1st eight days of the month were very warm with record or near-record highs on a few days. The remainder of the month was markedly cooler, especially the last 9 days. Slightly over 2" of precip, but our 1st month since June with even that much. Only 7.4" of rain July through December. The 1st eight days averaged 72.4 degrees on the high side and 47.9 degrees on the low side. The last 9 days averaged 35 degrees for highs and 21.8 degrees for lows!! What a contrast!! Hampton - Dave has hit the superhighway and sends me his address: tccdkessel@yahoo.com Although his mother has been gravely ill, we hope he'll be able to find some free time to explore the abundant world of weather online. Weatherwise... Variable weather conditions occurred during the month. A very warm early part of the month, turning storms and much colder by the end. 6 records were tied or broken, all involving record heat. The month's high was 80 degrees on the 6th and 7th. These were alltime December record highs, 1 degree above the previous record high set in 1979. A storm, cold period began on the 23rd. Did receive some sleet and freezing rain on the 24th. Howver, just 10 miles west of Dave's station, a major ice event occurred. A weak upper air disturbance moved across southern and east central Virginia producing 1/2" of snow on New Year's Eve. Clarification: Dave reported that the Nov-Dec '79 period was followed by 13.5" of snow in Jan-Mar of '80. THAT WAS GROSSLY INCORRECT!!! He had, as many did in the Hampton Roads area, his greatest snowfall ever with 45" of snow!! (Editor's note: Oh, the great Blizzard of 1980!! 42" here in Portsmouth!) Herndon - Russ Topping notes: "December ended up warmer than November. It felt more like late Spring than Winter as the month began, but as Christmas approached the weather obliged and gave us a rare White Christmas." Herndon - Bob noted that the year's dry second half was balanced by a wet first half to make the year have an average total precip. Newmarket - Joyce notes the year has been slightly warmer than normal. Newport News - This month had it all!! Heat: 82 on the 6th, alltime December high; Cold: 22 on the 31st; Rain: 2.07" on the 13th; Ice: Freezing rain on the 24th; Snow 0.6" on the 31st. With all of the above, temps average some 4.8 degrees above normal with precip 3.19" above normal. Norfolk - NWS AKQ reports that monthly rainfall was 2.10" above normal and the monthly mean temp was 4.8 degrees above normal. Portsmouth - Abundant station records set or tied this month here!! 3 new station record high temps set on the 6th and 7th of 79 and a 78 degree reading on the 8th. Despite these high readings, the month's alltime area record high of 80 degrees (1991) remains in tact. There were 5 new station max lows temps here on the 6th, 7th, 8th, 20th, and 21st. Two days had new max daily precip totals: 1.81" on the 13th and 0.50" on the 23rd. A high barometer reading near 30.60" on the 23rd. A tenth inch snowfall (mostly ice pellets but with some snow) fell Christmas Eve and early Christmas morn. Another trace of snow fell on the 31st with near 1/2" totals 20-30 miles to the north of the station. A period of wet snow fell at the end of rain on the 30th with no accumulation. The monthly dominant wind direction was northerly and wind speeds averaged 4.6 MPH. Richmond - Have included a bio of the late Ted Fujita, sent to us by one of his students, ACON member Roy Britt. Roy sincerely writes : "Much of my knowledge about tornadoes originated with research by Ted in the early 1970s. I have many of his papers and articles in my collection. I first met him in 1976 when I visited the University of Chicago. I was very interested in the super outbreak of April 3, 1974. Over the years I saw him on many occasions at different meetings and at the university. In August 1992, when I received an invitation for his book's release dinner, it was one of the most exciting events in my life. Each person invited received a copy of the book signed by Ted and many great presentations. Without his research into tornadoes, my understanding and interest in these storms would not be where they are at this time." About the month's weather, Roy adds: December was a very interesting month. The 81 degree temp on the 6th set a new monthly high. On the 7th, the temp reached 81 degrees to equal the record set the day before. The highlight of December was the ice storm of the 23rd and 24th. Freezing rain began about 2:30 PM on Wednesday the 23rd and continued to about 12:30 PM on Thursday the 24th. Total melted precip was 1.27" I lost power from 12-24 at 10:25 AM until the early AM on the 27th! My cable was finally reconnected on January 6th, 1999!! The storm presented the major weather story here for 1998. Richmond - NWS AKQ reports the mean temp was 4.0 degrees above normal while precip was 1.72" above normal. Mechanicsville - Sleet, freezing rain, and snow started on the 24th. Power was lost at Glenn's site until the 28th!! Snow on the 31st started at 6 AM and ended by 11 AM giving a 1/4" dusting. Roanoke - Wendell noted another very warm month with precip only 0.11" below normal. The average temp was 4.4 degrees above normal. On the 7th, Wendell noted his first December high temp to reach 80 degrees. Total snowfall of 2" was normal. Stafford - Danny notes: A very warm start to the month, with temps averaging about 26 degrees above normal from December 4-7; Warm weather gave way to winter's chill and a winter storm, bringing about 1" of snow, sleet, and ice accumulation on December 23-24; 1998 finishes nearly 11" above normal in precipitation, with most of the precipitation falling as rain during the first months of the year. Danny reminds me: "WeatherNet Stafford" has become "CumulusOnline" and is now located at http://www.erols.com/cumulus Washington - Dave noted a warm and very dry pattern continuing during the month. Only 7.91" of rain since July 1st! Woodstock - Warmest December in 14 years, 3rd driest in 14 years! By far, Lauck has had the driest 6-month period (July-December) in 13 years. This year was the second warmest to 1991. Also, the driest July-November period in 13 years! (Notes from Lauck) Asheville - The monthly mean temp was 4.4 degrees above normal and rainfall was 0.48" below normal. Brevard - Bob writes: December started out following the prediction for a warm winter, but went astray during the last three weeks of the month. The daily max. and min. temperatures fell following the 72 and 55 deg. recorded on the 7th. By the 23rd, the corresponding readings were 32 and 26 deg. F. I was away from home when snow fell on Christmas Day. On returning home on the 30th I measured 0.30 inches of water in my rain gauge. The about average 4.62" of water measured for December brought the years total to 69.34", an average anual rainfall for Brevard. We would have registered a shortage for the year, were it not for the 25.5" in Jan. - Feb., about twice the normal amount. Charlotte - NWS GSP reports Charlotte was warmer than normal with the average monthly temp a whopping 5.1 degrees above normal. Rainfall was deficient by 0.20 inches. Greensboro - NWS RDU noted that the mean temp was 4.5 degrees above normal and rainfall was 1.86" above normal. Record daily highs were set on 5 occasions. Henderson - Temperatures, according to George Stevenson, averaged 5 degrees above normal while rainfall was in excess by 3". The ice storm of the 23rd and 24th caused misery! Raleigh - NWS RDU reported that the alltime record high temperature during December was set with 80 on the 6th and then tied the following day!! Both were 2 degrees above the previous record set in 1956. A record max minimum of 56 degrees was set on the 6th. A new record max minimum temp of 55 was set on the 7th. The high of 76 on the 5th tied the record set in 1982. A high of 78 on the 8th tied the record set in 1978. Raleigh - From the 1st to the 9th, the average daily high was 74.4 degrees. Winter, however, made an entrance on the 23rd with heavy freezing rain causing many power outages. Ice remained on trees through Christmas. The high temp only reached the mid 30s from the 23rd to the 26th. Overall, December was quite warm with average daily temps 3.7 degrees in excess of the norm. Roxboro - Merriell notes the month began unseasonably warm and ended unseasonably cold. However, both rainfall and temps averaged well above normal. A damaging ice storm hit the area just before Christmas. Wilmington - NWS ILM noted that December was well above normal!! The first week saw record warmth as 5 record high temps were set in the first 8 days!!! The 82 readings on the 7th and 8th established new record high temps for December, 1 degree above the previous alltime record high set in 1984. Christmastime brought much colder temps as temps did not get out of the 30s between the 24th and 26th. Rainfall was a 1/3" in excess of the normal. Only 41% of possible sunshine was noted during the month. Charleston - Eleanor Vallier-Talbot reports that temps averaged some 4.5 degrees above normal while precip at NWS CHS was 1.19" above the norm. The year ended with over 67" of rain, a whopping 16.22" in excess of the norm. Columbia - From NWS CAE: the average temp was 5.0 degrees above normal while rainfall was 1.79" below normal. Greenville-Spartanburg - The month's precip total was 0.10" above normal while the mean temps were 4.9 degrees above normal. (NWS GSP) Ruby - Franklin notes a very warm and dry December, at least until the end of the month when temps and precip returned to normal. Tri-cities - The month's mean temperature was 3.4 degrees above normal while precip was 1.83" above normal. (from NWS TRI) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- UPDATED MEMBERS' E-MAIL ADDRESSES: BRE Bob Keehn Bob_Keehn@citcom.net BRI Clayton Towers Ctowers@rica.net POR Bill Trotter wtrotter@whro.org RAL Bob Woodson woods@pipeline.com CEN Paul Bassett III pbassett@digizen.net WSH David Yowell deyowell@mnsinc.com FCH Erica Page ERICA96661@aol.com RMD Roy Britt rbritt@erols.com NEW Joyce Winfree joywood@shentel.net FRB Ken McKneely mckneelys@email.msn.com STF Danny Jessee cumulus@erols.com WOO Lauck Walton jwalton@shentel.net NPN Gary Leonard garleonard@aol.com LKU Joe Bowers jmbiii@mnsinc.com CHS Eleanor Vallier-Talbot Eleanor.Vallier-Talbot@noaa.gov HAM Dave Kessell tccdkessel@yahoo.com -----------------------------------------------------------------------------