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Weather: Southern winds to knock polar vortex back up to Canada
(CNN) -- Soon, it will be time to strike up an old fight refrain and send the iceman packing: "Na na na-na, na na na-na, hey-ey-ey, goodbye!"
The mighty polar vortex marched down the length of the nation to the Gulf of Mexico with a glacial momentum that may have seemed unstoppable.
But its days are numbered, as a southern one-two punch is set to knock the rare arctic blast back up to Canada, said CNN meteorologist Jenny Harrison.
"It really is a snap, just a few days of that really, really cold air."
A blustery high pressure area rising from the Southwest to the Northeast will throw it a broad, left hook this week, pushing it into the upper Midwest and Plains States. Then balmy southeastern air will rush up from the gulf and hit it straight on to finish the job, Harrison said.
Low blows
When the subzero polar vortex plunged down the middle of the nation early in the week, it tormented people as far south as Alabama with broken water pipes, according to local media reports.
It also turned geographic warm and cold spots on their heads.
On Tuesday, it was warmer in Anchorage, Alaska, where temperatures were in the 20s, than it was in Atlanta and Cincinnati, which saw respective lows of 7 and minus-7 degrees.
Those temperatures had not been felt in those cities since the mid-1990s, Harrison said.
The mercury is predicted to stay steady in Anchorage through Saturday, but in Cincinnati, it will slingshot up to about 50, and in Atlanta to about 60 degrees.
In New York, it was just 4 degrees in Central Park Tuesday, still well off the all-time low of 15 below zero in 1934.
But by Saturday, New Yorkers will be thawing with highs over 50 degrees, the weather service said.
North Dakota, which saw the worst of the arctic blast with lows around minus-30 with wind chills below minus-50 will drift back into normal winter lows in the plus 20s.
Slow melt
By the weekend, people may be strolling along the Gulf Coast in short sleeves with highs right around 70. But that will take a few days. Early Wednesday, they covered their tropical plants to shut out the frost, local media reported.
The National Weather Service issued a freeze warning early Wednesday for Gulf Coast regions, where palm trees swayed in an icy breeze.
The coming warming trend will not be sudden, but gradual, and that is good news, Harrison said.
"We will not have a sudden thaw of that snow in the north and the northeast." That should help prevent some flooding.
Temperatures -- both highs and lows -- are to jump up by about 10 degrees per day, until the mercury in most of the United States stepladders from lows not seen in decades to unseasonably warm highs, the National Weather Service said.
The southerly air masses will push in some rain, which will fall in places where there is still cold weather, and, as a result, land as a slushy winter mix, the NWS said.
Cold plagues
Relief is already here for airline passengers, who waited in airports for hours.
The weather-related cancellations and delays that sowed U.S. flight maps with red pock marks -- indicating clogged airports -- have abated.
At over 3,000 per day at their peak, cancellations sank Tuesday to under 500, and early Thursday fewer than 50 were expected, according to flightaware.com.
The vortex is still handing rough treatment to some places. Take Buffalo, New York, where the snow didn't seem to want to quit until early Wednesday. The NWS lifted its blizzard warning at 4:00 a.m.
High arctic winds whipped moist warmer air off of the Great Lakes and dumped it as snow there and in other places along their shores.
There were also gas outages in some areas of Buffalo because of broken water mains that flooded gas lines, CNN affiliate WIVB reported.
And the Niagara River was jammed with ice, which could push water over the banks and cause flash flooding.
Authorities have blamed at least 16 deaths on the cold so far, including 11 from traffic accidents and three involving hypothermia.
SOURCE: http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/08/us/winter-weather/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
The mighty polar vortex marched down the length of the nation to the Gulf of Mexico with a glacial momentum that may have seemed unstoppable.
But its days are numbered, as a southern one-two punch is set to knock the rare arctic blast back up to Canada, said CNN meteorologist Jenny Harrison.
"It really is a snap, just a few days of that really, really cold air."
A blustery high pressure area rising from the Southwest to the Northeast will throw it a broad, left hook this week, pushing it into the upper Midwest and Plains States. Then balmy southeastern air will rush up from the gulf and hit it straight on to finish the job, Harrison said.
Low blows
When the subzero polar vortex plunged down the middle of the nation early in the week, it tormented people as far south as Alabama with broken water pipes, according to local media reports.
It also turned geographic warm and cold spots on their heads.
On Tuesday, it was warmer in Anchorage, Alaska, where temperatures were in the 20s, than it was in Atlanta and Cincinnati, which saw respective lows of 7 and minus-7 degrees.
Those temperatures had not been felt in those cities since the mid-1990s, Harrison said.
The mercury is predicted to stay steady in Anchorage through Saturday, but in Cincinnati, it will slingshot up to about 50, and in Atlanta to about 60 degrees.
In New York, it was just 4 degrees in Central Park Tuesday, still well off the all-time low of 15 below zero in 1934.
But by Saturday, New Yorkers will be thawing with highs over 50 degrees, the weather service said.
North Dakota, which saw the worst of the arctic blast with lows around minus-30 with wind chills below minus-50 will drift back into normal winter lows in the plus 20s.
Slow melt
By the weekend, people may be strolling along the Gulf Coast in short sleeves with highs right around 70. But that will take a few days. Early Wednesday, they covered their tropical plants to shut out the frost, local media reported.
The National Weather Service issued a freeze warning early Wednesday for Gulf Coast regions, where palm trees swayed in an icy breeze.
The coming warming trend will not be sudden, but gradual, and that is good news, Harrison said.
"We will not have a sudden thaw of that snow in the north and the northeast." That should help prevent some flooding.
Temperatures -- both highs and lows -- are to jump up by about 10 degrees per day, until the mercury in most of the United States stepladders from lows not seen in decades to unseasonably warm highs, the National Weather Service said.
The southerly air masses will push in some rain, which will fall in places where there is still cold weather, and, as a result, land as a slushy winter mix, the NWS said.
Cold plagues
Relief is already here for airline passengers, who waited in airports for hours.
The weather-related cancellations and delays that sowed U.S. flight maps with red pock marks -- indicating clogged airports -- have abated.
At over 3,000 per day at their peak, cancellations sank Tuesday to under 500, and early Thursday fewer than 50 were expected, according to flightaware.com.
The vortex is still handing rough treatment to some places. Take Buffalo, New York, where the snow didn't seem to want to quit until early Wednesday. The NWS lifted its blizzard warning at 4:00 a.m.
High arctic winds whipped moist warmer air off of the Great Lakes and dumped it as snow there and in other places along their shores.
There were also gas outages in some areas of Buffalo because of broken water mains that flooded gas lines, CNN affiliate WIVB reported.
And the Niagara River was jammed with ice, which could push water over the banks and cause flash flooding.
Authorities have blamed at least 16 deaths on the cold so far, including 11 from traffic accidents and three involving hypothermia.
SOURCE: http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/08/us/winter-weather/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
Okay, so "polar vortex" has been on the books since 59. It isn't commonly used because the phenomena is rare. When they invented the term in 59, imagine the impact it had then? (Holy crud! Polar Vortex!!! We're all going to freeze to death!!!)
I've been fortunate enough to live in the Las Vegas heat of summer, working on rural black tops where the temperature readings were over 130 degrees on the surface. I've also been fortunate to live in another area where it can get down to -20, -30, -40, and colder without "wind chill".
It's weather people. We are probably affecting it, but guess what? It's nothing new. We've had nearly global freezes and we've certainly had thaws. It's going to continue, so buy extra blankets and long underwear.
I've been fortunate enough to live in the Las Vegas heat of summer, working on rural black tops where the temperature readings were over 130 degrees on the surface. I've also been fortunate to live in another area where it can get down to -20, -30, -40, and colder without "wind chill".
It's weather people. We are probably affecting it, but guess what? It's nothing new. We've had nearly global freezes and we've certainly had thaws. It's going to continue, so buy extra blankets and long underwear.
I agree with dsert. the number one problem we are facing isn't shortage but an ever expanding population.
The best solution to energy shortages is to think local and sustainable.
When I was in Turkey, many building including hotels and apartments, had solar hot water heaters on their roofs.
Turkey is not a rich country.
The technology is available for people to generate our own energy, the problem is it takes away the huge profits for the fat cats, who have done all they can to pass laws and ordinances making it hard to be self sufficient.
The best solution to energy shortages is to think local and sustainable.
When I was in Turkey, many building including hotels and apartments, had solar hot water heaters on their roofs.
Turkey is not a rich country.
The technology is available for people to generate our own energy, the problem is it takes away the huge profits for the fat cats, who have done all they can to pass laws and ordinances making it hard to be self sufficient.
PS: and another from National Grid with positive spin (I do like this site, gizmag.com)
http://www.gizmag.com/uk-national-grid-wind-data/28046/
http://www.gizmag.com/uk-national-grid-wind-data/28046/
Interesting NPR, but dated. They have yet to install one wind turbine offshore of cape cod..
I'm in favor of wind myself, but living arguably in one of the greenest states in the country it's still a battle.
More recent article (today) on the problem solving on the grid end
http://www.technicianonline.com/news/article_790bf6fc-79ba-11e3-9749-0019bb30f31a.html
I'm in favor of wind myself, but living arguably in one of the greenest states in the country it's still a battle.
More recent article (today) on the problem solving on the grid end
http://www.technicianonline.com/news/article_790bf6fc-79ba-11e3-9749-0019bb30f31a.html
I think people should be provided with sufficient education to understand the consequences of their actions and I think the news media should report the news -- especially international news -- in way that provides people with an understanding of what is actually happening to this planet. You could do away with most government rules and regs if you had an educated, responsible electorate. China's 'one child policy' never applied to anyone with money (just like the laws in this country) -- and, no, I don't think government in this country should or ever will try anything like that.
I'll definety listen to the audio desrt, global warming has me shoveling snow again this morning :)
"
5. A decision point for those of us interested in the environment
Generating a kilowatt-hour of electricity with a modern gas fired power plant leaves about 50% less carbon emissions in the atmosphere than doing the same with coal fired generation. The consequences are stark.
Last year the US, not known for conscious climate policy, not only had the world’s largest increase in oil and gas production, but also recorded the largest decline in CO2 emissions worldwide – because of a massive displacement of coal in power generation with cheaper shale gas. In the EU, in contrast, carbon emissions fell only marginally and only as a result of the economic recession – as shown in the chart below. Carbon intensity – the amount of carbon emitted per unit of energy – rose, as Europe’s economies replaced gas in power generation with cheaper coal, imported from the US."
http://www.energypost.eu/five-global-implications-shale-revolution/
"
5. A decision point for those of us interested in the environment
Generating a kilowatt-hour of electricity with a modern gas fired power plant leaves about 50% less carbon emissions in the atmosphere than doing the same with coal fired generation. The consequences are stark.
Last year the US, not known for conscious climate policy, not only had the world’s largest increase in oil and gas production, but also recorded the largest decline in CO2 emissions worldwide – because of a massive displacement of coal in power generation with cheaper shale gas. In the EU, in contrast, carbon emissions fell only marginally and only as a result of the economic recession – as shown in the chart below. Carbon intensity – the amount of carbon emitted per unit of energy – rose, as Europe’s economies replaced gas in power generation with cheaper coal, imported from the US."
http://www.energypost.eu/five-global-implications-shale-revolution/
http://www.npr.org/2012/09/14/161156783/wind-power-plentiful-study-says
Old SciFri transcript and audio regarding wind power. Twenty minute listen.
Old SciFri transcript and audio regarding wind power. Twenty minute listen.
So you think that the goverment should tell people how many children they can have, like China does?
Yes illegal immigration is a problem that starts not with labor but with the GOVERNMENT. They refuse to enforce the laws on the books.
Yes illegal immigration is a problem that starts not with labor but with the GOVERNMENT. They refuse to enforce the laws on the books.
Texas' problem is the same as the rest of the planet's -- too many people. As long as Texans continue to raise families like it's the 18th century (overlarge families as a form of retirement security) and as long as authorities turn a blind eye to undocumented immigration as a means of keeping labor costs low (50% of Texas construction workers are undocumented) resource demands will outstrip any reasonable growth in supply. Do the math and Houston will eventually go the way of Lahore and Mogadishu and every other day will seem like a luxury.
Fortunately, I will soon no longer be a Texan. My only regret is not sticking around long enough to vote against that renegade Canadian, Rafael Cruz in the next State election.
Fortunately, I will soon no longer be a Texan. My only regret is not sticking around long enough to vote against that renegade Canadian, Rafael Cruz in the next State election.
Edit:
REPUBLICAN Texans could have their lights on every other day, because they can afford batteries for flashlights and personal/home generators, whereas the poor of the state (Democrats) can't afford such luxuries (ie: batteries & genies).
I really think that's an AWESOME idea, Pro.
Seriously.
REPUBLICAN Texans could have their lights on every other day, because they can afford batteries for flashlights and personal/home generators, whereas the poor of the state (Democrats) can't afford such luxuries (ie: batteries & genies).
I really think that's an AWESOME idea, Pro.
Seriously.
Maybe like the Dems want to redistribute wealth, we could redistribute electricity as well. Texans could have their lights on every other day.
Maybe this will be the solution desrt
Rolling blackouts are Texas' future without reform, generators say
Reuters
11 hours ago
By Eileen O'Grady
HOUSTON, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Four of the largest power plant owners in Texas on Thursday warned of regular rolling blackouts across the state within a few years unless it overhauls its $29 billion wholesale electric market.
The prediction by NRG Energy, Calpine Corp, NextEra Energy Inc and Exelon Corp, under a new umbrella trade group called Texans for Reliable Power, appeared in a full-page newspaper ad Thursday to respond to opposition from big industrial users that have stymied efforts to reform the deregulated power market.
The ad appeared in the Austin American-Statesman, read by policy makers in the state capitol.
It shows a satellite view of lights across the United States at night, but Texas is shown in darkness.
"Is this our future?" the ad said.
Citing the close call for potential rolling outages experienced earlier this week amid sub-freezing temperatures, the ad says Texas could be on a course for "regular rolling blackouts in a just a few short years."
"We wanted something that would get people's attention," said David Knox, a spokesman for NRG Energy, the state's second largest power generator. "The bottom line is reliability: what does that mean to the state of Texas and the residents."
Texas, unlike many U.S. states, continues to see growing demand for electricity. Tight financial markets and low wholesale power prices have stalled construction of most new plants in the state's primary grid, overseen by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).
ERCOT has warned that blackouts will be more likely as the amount of surplus electricity in the state dwindles.
The grid agency and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) have made a number of market changes and are studying more radical changes to encourage investment in new power plants.
The debate has simmered for more than two years. Regulators, lawmakers and market participants are now divided over the issue.
Most companies that own generation, like members of Texans for Reliable Power, along with Luminant, Texas' largest power producer, support creation of a so-called "capacity market" where generators and others are paid to be available in future years.
Large industrial power consumers oppose the additional cost that a capacity market may create.
The Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA), whose members produce more than 90 percent of the crude and natural gas in Texas and operate major refineries, wants to keep the current market design.
"TXOGA does not believe that a centralized forward capacity market is the answer to whatever reliability issues the PUC believes remain," the group said in a filing last week. "When hanging a picture on your living room wall, you do not use a sledgehammer to pound in a nail," TXOGA said.
Generators warn that reform is needed.
"Exelon and other energy companies would very much like to increase their presence and participation in ERCOT," William Von Hoene Jr., an Exelon executive told an industry group last fall.
Companies are reluctant to invest "because the market is failing to provide a clear price signal," Von Hoene said.
Permits to construct more than 12,000 MW of new generation are in the works, but it is unclear whether any of the projects will advance.
Last month, Houston-based Calpine agreed to purchase a power plant near San Antonio, but said it would delay the previous owner's plan to build two "quick-start" power plants at the site until the debate over electric market reform is settled.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/rolling-blackouts-texas-future-without-232600344.html
Then to add to the mix we have immense solar flares:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/01/08/260854919/solar-flare-will-hit-earth-thursday-northern-lights-may-expand-south
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/01/08/260854919/solar-flare-will-hit-earth-thursday-northern-lights-may-expand-south
I wouldn't mind being a lemming...
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/avatars/lemming.jpg
They look pretty cute to me!!!
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/avatars/lemming.jpg
They look pretty cute to me!!!
I am more interested now in the immediate impact on people's physical safety. There are some areas where people were advised not to go out due to the potential of frost bite and many areas where there is a weather emergency alert. I have seen very cold temperatures in the winter before of course but the shift from day to day from above normal temperatures to below normal temperatures sometimes record breaking at both extremes I have not.
"...end of story..."
Yeah, but if our species is going to do this lemming death march to irreversible climate change, we should at least be self-aware lemmings. That way those of us who choose to stop and smell the flowers can do so on the way to the cliff.
Yeah, but if our species is going to do this lemming death march to irreversible climate change, we should at least be self-aware lemmings. That way those of us who choose to stop and smell the flowers can do so on the way to the cliff.
Time magazine used it back in the 70's when they and other scientists blamed it for global cooling.
The term "Global warming" has now been changed to "climate change" to suit the agenda.
The term "Global warming" has now been changed to "climate change" to suit the agenda.
Who said anything about a "liberal hoax"?
I just said that I think the MEDIA is blowing this way out of proportion, and basically, INVENTING a news story.
Before now, the word "polar vortex" hasn't been commonly used by the media.
Sure, the term is in textbooks, and has been used since 1959, but I can't remember EVER hearing it being referred to as such.
It's cold outside... get used to it.
I just said that I think the MEDIA is blowing this way out of proportion, and basically, INVENTING a news story.
Before now, the word "polar vortex" hasn't been commonly used by the media.
Sure, the term is in textbooks, and has been used since 1959, but I can't remember EVER hearing it being referred to as such.
It's cold outside... get used to it.
Until a way to store alternative power (seems geothermal is the way to go,imo)
we are dependent on burning fossil fuels for electricity, end of story.
PPL Winter Power Use Hits All-Time High
By Justin Loiseau | More Articles
January 8, 2014 | Comments (0)
PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL ) announced today that its customers demanded more power this Tuesday than any previous winter day. With 1.4 million users throughout Pennsylvania, demand clocked in at a whopping 7,784 MW, beating the previous 7,577 MW record set in February 2007.
Source: PPL.
While utilities generally look forward to having customers increase their energy use, electric companies have been urging homeowners to use less power as systems have been stretched to near-maximum capacities over the past few days.
"We continuously maintain our system and invest in improvements for year-round reliability, including during weather extremes like this one," said Dave Bonenberger, PPL's vice president of distribution operations. "Despite what Mother Nature delivers, our customers rightfully expect we'll deliver for them, and we do."
Four Duke Energy subsidiary utilities also reached record high demands this week in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and the Carolinas.
Fool contributor Justin Loiseau and The Motley Fool have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/01/08/arctic-blast-brings-new-all-time-record-for-power.aspx
we are dependent on burning fossil fuels for electricity, end of story.
PPL Winter Power Use Hits All-Time High
By Justin Loiseau | More Articles
January 8, 2014 | Comments (0)
PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL ) announced today that its customers demanded more power this Tuesday than any previous winter day. With 1.4 million users throughout Pennsylvania, demand clocked in at a whopping 7,784 MW, beating the previous 7,577 MW record set in February 2007.
Source: PPL.
While utilities generally look forward to having customers increase their energy use, electric companies have been urging homeowners to use less power as systems have been stretched to near-maximum capacities over the past few days.
"We continuously maintain our system and invest in improvements for year-round reliability, including during weather extremes like this one," said Dave Bonenberger, PPL's vice president of distribution operations. "Despite what Mother Nature delivers, our customers rightfully expect we'll deliver for them, and we do."
Four Duke Energy subsidiary utilities also reached record high demands this week in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and the Carolinas.
Fool contributor Justin Loiseau and The Motley Fool have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/01/08/arctic-blast-brings-new-all-time-record-for-power.aspx
I should clarify, when I say rare, what I mean is that all states except for Hawaii had some area of freezing all at the same time. That is what is rare, so rare in fact that they were concerned about the electric grid holding out. Temps one day normal and the next double digit drops across the nation at once is rare.
Regardless, it is a term that has been around for quite some time, but not familiar because it happens so infrequently.
Regardless, it is a term that has been around for quite some time, but not familiar because it happens so infrequently.
While this might be "rare", this isn't the first time it's happened and I'm sure it won't be the last.
When we lived in Iowa (20 yrs ago), we often watched the jet stream dip south and the further south it went, the colder our weather was, and the longer cold lasted. It wasn't unusual to have temperatures well below zero and/or wind chills in the minus 40 to minus 50 range and I remember one winter, our wind chills dipped down to minus 100. Try that with your vehicle stuck in a snowbank during a ground blizzard, in which you can't see your hand in front of your face.
"On average, outbreaks as large and intense as the one that occurred early this week occur once every 10 years. The last far-reaching, bitterly cold blasts occurred in the mid-1990s, during February of 1996 and January of 1994." Yet, we, here in Central FL have had temps in the teens at least once a year, ever since we've lived here (20 yrs). Go figure...
When we lived in Iowa (20 yrs ago), we often watched the jet stream dip south and the further south it went, the colder our weather was, and the longer cold lasted. It wasn't unusual to have temperatures well below zero and/or wind chills in the minus 40 to minus 50 range and I remember one winter, our wind chills dipped down to minus 100. Try that with your vehicle stuck in a snowbank during a ground blizzard, in which you can't see your hand in front of your face.
"On average, outbreaks as large and intense as the one that occurred early this week occur once every 10 years. The last far-reaching, bitterly cold blasts occurred in the mid-1990s, during February of 1996 and January of 1994." Yet, we, here in Central FL have had temps in the teens at least once a year, ever since we've lived here (20 yrs). Go figure...
You said...Seriously... is the media THAT intent on creating news and drama, that they feel they must constantly come up with new and dramatic terms for everyday events?
This term has been in the text books for meteorology since 1959. The reason you have not heard of it is because what just happened is rare.
It normally stays put but has moved out of its norm downward and hence, a deep freeze across the nation.
Contrary to what you may have heard in the "media", it is not an invented liberal hoax, but instead a term that describes and has described it since 1959.
This term has been in the text books for meteorology since 1959. The reason you have not heard of it is because what just happened is rare.
It normally stays put but has moved out of its norm downward and hence, a deep freeze across the nation.
Contrary to what you may have heard in the "media", it is not an invented liberal hoax, but instead a term that describes and has described it since 1959.
Too long and complicated to explain how burning fossil fuels has, perhaps permanently, skrewed up the Jetstream and allowed the winds that normally circle the Poles to descend to lower latitudes where they don't belong. You'll just have to take my word that it's serious news. Better yet, stand outside on a hot day with an ice cube on your head to understand that things may get colder and wetter. For awhile.
Basically... in the U.S., it's called a POLAR VORTEX.
In Canada, it's just called WINTER.
Media needs to stop trying to sound complicated and dramatic. Polar Vortex has now been latched onto by the media because it sounds scary!
In Canada, it's just called WINTER.
Media needs to stop trying to sound complicated and dramatic. Polar Vortex has now been latched onto by the media because it sounds scary!
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