Prediction
Days with Measurable Snow (0.1" or greater)
Cycle 1 = 13 days (Nov-16 thru Jan-2)
- Actual
- 5 days with 0.1" or greater snowfall.
- 14 days with Trace or greater snowfall.
- 38% accuracy
Prediction
Total Snow Accumulation
Cycle 1 = 16 inches of snow (Nov-16 thru Jan-2)
- Actual
- 2.4 inches of snow
- 2.18 inches of precipitation. A 10:1 snow to water ratio would have equaled 21 inches of snow had it all been snow.
- 15% accuracy
Prediction
Temperatures
The data trend leads me to believe that there will be enough warm spells to compensate for the majority of cold air events within each cycle leading to Above Average temperatures for the winter. The numbers tell me 1 to 3 degrees above average each cycle. Don't get me wrong, there will be some cold stretches this winter, there is no doubt about it, but with warm-ups scattered about may make the overall winter not seem so harsh temperature wise.
- Actual
- Daily Maximum temperatures are currently 4.5 degrees above the (81-10) 30 year average.
What should we expect in Cycle 2? The trends show a mild start to January with a cool down by the end of the month. February should continue with what we saw in much of December but hopefully this time around most of the precipitation will fall as snow. The most recent snowfall and wind event (Jan 1-2) should recur sometime around Feb-17. Sticking with the original forecast made back in November for this cycle, we should expect about 12 days with measurable snowfall accumulating around 17 inches. Temperatures should stay above average for the cycle once again. For an idea of when the precipitation may occur see the OSNW3 LRC Calendar 2011-12 and follow the blue highlighted dates. Remember to give or take a day, or two!
(500mb Forecast Trend For Green Bay)
(Temperature Forecast Trend For Oshkosh)
If there are any questions or thoughts on my research and analysis of the LRC or how I presented the material just let me know in the comments section of the blog. Thanks for reading!
Pretty odd winter so far. There is still open water on Lake Winnebago not far off shore, and lots of ducks flying out over the lake.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see some snow on the ground, before we get a real cold snap,so the frost does not penetrate deep.
Also... The predicted weather doesn't seem to be holding up, but how does this model compare to other long-range forecasts, and what can we really expect out of long-range forecast anyway?
ReplyDeleteAndrew, thanks for stopping by the blog. I appreciate the comments and the fact that it is coming from someone living in Oshkosh!
ReplyDeleteIt is a very odd winter from what we have become accustomed the past few years. I was admiring the sites and sounds of Lake Winnebago last night. It was invigorating for it to be happening in January.
Snow should show up later in the month and into early Feb. BUT with temperature trends staying around freezing we may stay on the wet-storms, not the snow-storms trend. We'll have to wait and see.
I believe the LRC can deliver a sensible long range weather forecast pin pointing weather features to specific dates each and every year. I feel the predicted long-range weather based on the LRC this season is holding up well, not just here in WI but everywhere around the CONUS. In the case of my specific forecast for Oshkosh the only failing portion of it is the snowfall. It is because the snowfall was a wish-cast by myself with thoughts that near freezing temperatures and long-term climatology would create snow. The precipitation events and temperature fluctuations are recurring just as scheduled.
My interpretation of the theory needs work and that is why I do this! To keep learning.