Comments for Watching the Skies

Comment on Round three of severe weather approaching the DFW Metroplex! by Sean Toner

Sean Toner — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:59:17 +0000

Think he should be fine flying in and out of Dallas, the worst of the weather is over here now. Only light rain expected the rest of the week.

Comment on Round three of severe weather approaching the DFW Metroplex! by linda simes

linda simes — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:46:27 +0000

My husband left at 6am this morning heading for Dallas and will return tomorrow coming back to mass (logan) what is to be like then I worry so much!

Comment on Upper level high pressure increases heat for Texas by Sean Toner

Sean Toner — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:19:35 +0000

I can provide an answer to that. It is a combination of factors actually, which all started with the La Nina pattern this year. This pushes the upper level jet stream further north across the northern U.S. and Canada. The every 3 to 5 day storm track that rides along the mid-latitudes and rides along the jet stream, then ignores Texas. Since we get clear or partly cloudy skies daily, allowing the sun to bake the land, ambient air temperatures naturally increase. This weather pattern of course dries out our soil considerably, and allows afternoon temps to rise even more. Daily land surface temperatures approach 130-140 F. These higher temps affect the air temperature at 850mb (about 5,000 ft above) as well, and causes a general sinking motion in the atmosphere. Sinking air creates high pressure, and promotes a stable atmosphere. A stable atmosphere remains cloud and rain free. Without the mid-latitude jet stream to wash away the warm stable air, this chain reaction continues to occur daily.

This high pressure system can react to other storm systems that may pass the area, and the high will shift east and westward. On summer days where the high pressure sits to our west (like New Mexico or Arizona), we can get north or northwest winds aloft. These bring a slight chance of rain showers, as the northwest winds can bring a small remnant of instability out of the mid-latitude jet stream to our north. A high pressure to our east (like Mississippi or Tennessee) brings southern winds, and can funnel rich gulf moisture into our area. This can also bring rain chances to the area, but it requires some type of lifting agent to initiate thunderstorms (like a cold front or weak low pressure trough).

I hope this isn’t too long and answers your question!

Comment on Upper level high pressure increases heat for Texas by Jeaux Stainton

Jeaux Stainton — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 17:28:43 +0000

I can find no answer who Texas has a persistent high pressure (as compared to any other place). Why doesn’t it just move along like any other weather?

Comment on Gallery: Arbor Hills in late Spring by Sean Toner

Sean Toner — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 00:51:42 +0000

Is that what they are called? I didn’t know the name of them!

Comment on Gallery: Arbor Hills in late Spring by catherine

catherine — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 00:42:47 +0000

These are beautiful! The firewheels, aka Indian Blanket, are my favorites!

Comment on Site redesign & maintenance by Fatima

Fatima — Thu, 12 May 2011 03:12:34 +0000

Site is looking good!

Comment on Tropical Storm Fay – 5pm Update by Cheap Personalized Gifts

Cheap Personalized Gifts — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 17:37:23 +0000

I remember tropical stomr Fay! I found your blog on Google and read a few of your other posts. Fairly Interesting. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future. I’m starting my own blog soon

Cheers

Comment on West Dallas tornado rated eF-2, six other tornadoes around north Texas by Gliebster

Gliebster — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:11:19 +0000

Interesting week for sure! That one in Dallas was pretty substantial.

Comment on Tornadoes over central Oklahoma! by tornadolarkin

tornadolarkin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 12:27:06 +0000

how do you get the drop down menu on your gallerys?