# Thursday, February 25, 2010

GOES-11 Water Vapor Image (UW-MAD) February 25, 2010 - 7:00 a.m. PST Click
GOES-11 Water Vapor Image (UW-MAD)
February 25, 2010 - 7:00 a.m. PST

A weakening frontal band produced some light rain in Southern California yesterday afternoon and evening. Precipitation amounts in the Los Angeles area ranged from a trace to a few hundredths of an inch. Amounts were higher to the north, closer to the surface low. A few stations in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties recorded more than 0.5 inch and some recorded more than an inch. Here is an archived copy of a NWS Public Information Statement with some precipitation totals from around the area.

Today, a much stronger Pacific storm system begins to impact the West Coast, with the highest precipitation totals forecast for Northern California and the Sierra Nevada. BUFKIT analysis of this morning's 12z NAM data for Van Nuys generates about 1.3 inch of rain, beginning late Friday night and continuing into Saturday afternoon. The 18z NAM run starts the rain a little earlier Friday night, and extends the period of precipitation into Saturday evening. It produces about 1.8 inch of rain at Van Nuys over the period. Today's 09z SREF indicated a probability of about 50%-70% that precipitation in the Los Angeles area would exceed 0.5 inch for the 24 hr. period ending Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. Precipitable water values approaching an inch and strong southerly low level inflow could produce higher rain rates and precipitation totals on south to southwest facing foothill and mountain slopes.

Since being reinforced by a strong MJO at the end of January, El Niño convection has remained active in the Central Pacific (animation). In terms of relative atmospheric angular momentum (AAM), the atmosphere's response is the strongest since the El Ninos of 1997-1998 and 2004-2005. Average AAM for our rain season (November to date) has increased from -0.046 at the beginning of the year to 0.341 as of February 23. This El Nino Comparison Chart shows how this El Niño compares to others since 1950.

So far this rain season, Downtown Los Angeles (USC) has recorded above average rainfall every month, except for November. And November's rain came early -- in October.

More information concerning Southern California weather can be found using our WEATHER LINKS page.

 

Thursday, February 25, 2010 8:26:22 AM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)  #    Disclaimer  |   | 
# Saturday, February 20, 2010

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Yesterday's Weak Pacific System Moving Onshore
NRL NexSat Day/Night 02/19/10 4:00 p.m.

Last night's weak Pacific system had its moments, and managed to produce precipitation amounts ranging from about 0.1 inch to 0.25 inch in the Los Angeles area. Here is a NWS Public Information Statement with some precipitation totals. Downtown Los Angeles (USC) recorded 0.14 inches for the storm, increasing the water year total to 13.34 inches. The is 3.58 inches above normal for the date.

A moisture-starved trough on the downstream side of a pinched upper level ridge over the West Coast is forecast to dig southward and could produce some additional precipitation tomorrow. Today's 09z SREF indicated a probability of about 30%-50% that precipitation in the Los Angeles area would exceed 0.1 inch for the 24 hr. period ending Monday morning at 4:00 a.m. The forecast probability that it would exceed 0.25 inch over the same period is about 10%-30%.

More information concerning Southern California weather can be found using our WEATHER LINKS page.

 

Saturday, February 20, 2010 4:13:13 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)  #    Disclaimer  |   | 
# Wednesday, February 10, 2010

AHPS 90 Day Precipitation (Percent of Normal) as of February 10, 2010 4:00 a.m. PST Click
AHPS 90 Day Precipitation (Percent of Normal)
February 10, 2010
4:00 a.m. PST

Yesterday's cold upper level low behaved about as expected, following a track just off the coast. Because of the convective nature of the system, rainfall amounts varied from under 0.25 inch to over 1.0 inch in some foothill and mountain locations. About a foot of snow was reported at the mountain resorts. Here is a NWS Public Information Statement with precipitation totals from around the area. Downtown Los Angeles (USC) recorded 0.44 inches for the storm, increasing the water year total to 13.2 inches. The is 4.78 inches above normal for the date.

Compared to the AHPS 90 Day Precipitation map from about 40 days ago, a fairly typical El Niño precipitation pattern has emerged in the West. Medium range models are projecting about a 7-10 day break in what has turned out to be a busy rainy season in Southern California. Assuming these forecasts verify, such a break could not come a better time for those threatened by mudslides and debris flows. The recent enhancement of El Niño convection by the MJO, and the ongoing phase 6-7-8 transition of the GWO might have resulted in a wetter pattern, and this has occurred in similar circumstances in past El Ninos.

More information concerning Southern California weather can be found using our WEATHER LINKS page.

 

Wednesday, February 10, 2010 3:34:58 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)  #    Disclaimer  |   | 
# Saturday, February 6, 2010

UCAR NEXRAD Regional Composite Image February 6, 2010 - 4:45 a.m. PST Click
UCAR NEXRAD Regional Composite Image
February 6, 2010 - 4:45 a.m. PST

Wet antecedent conditions and heavy rain early this morning combined to amplify the amount of runoff from our latest Winter storm. In addition to localized street flooding, mud and debris flows have occurred in the vicinity of the Station Fire burn area. The trough associated with the system, and a second frontal band are moving onshore this afternoon, and are producing some additional rainfall in the Los Angeles area. Please refer to www.weather.gov/losangeles for the latest warnings and weather information.

Yesterday's runs of the NAM/WRF did a pretty good job of forecasting the area of enhanced precipitation that developed overnight in Southern California. BUFKIT analysis of 12z NAM data from yesterday generated about 2.4 inches of precipitation at KLAX for the 24 hr. period ending early this morning. According to preliminary NWS data, as of 10:00 a.m. LAX had recorded 2.31 inches for the storm, and Downtown Los Angeles (USC) had recorded 2.84 inches. The water year total rainfall for Los Angeles is now about 5 inches above normal. Here is a NWS Public Information Statement with rainfall totals from around the area. (Link will be updated as revised totals become available.)

The recent enhancement of El Nino convection in the equatorial Pacific by the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) has triggered a strong atmospheric response. A Global Wind Oscillation (GWO) phase space plot shows large increases in relative atmospheric angular momentum (AAM) and AAM tendency. As a result of this increase, the average relative AAM anomaly for the rain season to date is now positive. As mentioned in this post from December 2009, relative AAM is correlated with rain season precipitation in Southern California. This suggests an increased likelihood of wet weather in Southern California in the medium range outlook period.

So what happens next? The ECMWF and GFS projections have not been particularly consistent. At the moment, it looks like a shortwave trough could affect Southern California in the Tuesday evening or Wednesday timeframe and then again Friday. We'll see how the week develops.

More information concerning Southern California weather can be found using our WEATHER LINKS page.

 

Saturday, February 6, 2010 3:09:12 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)  #    Disclaimer  |   | 
# Friday, January 29, 2010

NRL Pacific Basin Composite Image January 29, 2010 - 10:00 a..m. PST Click
NRL Pacific Basin Composite Image
January 29, 2010 - 10:00 a.m. PST

The active phase of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is enhancing El Nino convection in the equatorial Pacific, increasing the probability of above average rainfall in California over the next two weeks. Here are today's 6-10 day outlook and 8-14 day outlook periods from the Climate Prediction Center (CPC). Once again, a number of the CPC's best fitting 6-10 day outlook analogs and 8-14 day outlook analogs are from wet El Nino years.

Today's Global Wind Oscillation (GWO) phase plot reflects the atmosphere's response to the MJO, and enhanced central equatorial Pacific convection. ECMWF-based 250 hPa streamfunction anomalies from 01/29/10 00:00 GMT appear to be consistent with the ERSL/PSD phase 7 MJO streamfunction composite and phase 6-7 GWO streamfunction composite centered on January 27.

Another strong Westerly Wind Burst (WWB) is also occurring, and appears to be one of the mechanisms associated with MJO enhancement of deep El Nino convection. This enhancement and resulting feedback could slow the decline of, or even increase, equatorial Pacific SST anomalies in the weeks ahead.

Both the ECMWF and the GFS are projecting a return to a wet pattern in California next week. The first skirmish occurs in central and northern California over the weekend, and then a transition to a much wetter, and possibly persistent, pattern is forecast to occur during the week. We'll see!

More information concerning Southern California weather can be found using our WEATHER LINKS page.

 

Friday, January 29, 2010 2:17:37 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)  #    Disclaimer  |   | 
# Saturday, January 23, 2010

NWS AHPS 7-Day Observed Precipitation For the 7 Days Ending January 23, 2010 - 4:00 a.m. PST Click
NWS AHPS 7-Day Observed Precipitation
For the 7 Days Ending January 23, 2010 - 4:00 a.m. PST

 

Following six consecutive days with rain, skies are partly cloudy today and Southern Californians can finally get out and enjoy a little sunshine. According to NWS data, Downtown Los Angeles (USC) received 4.58 inches of rain from the series of storms, bringing its water year total to 9.71 inches, which is 3.57 inches above normal for the date.

The Los Angeles/Oxnard office of the NWS has released a Public Information Statement with rain and snowfall totals for the 6 day period 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning to 10:00 a.m. today (Saturday).

Computer projections have been inconsistent, but it looks like we'll probably get some more rain early in the week. We'll see!

More information concerning Southern California weather can be found using our WEATHER LINKS page.

Saturday, January 23, 2010 5:20:12 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)  #    Disclaimer  |   | 
# Friday, January 22, 2010

NRL AquaMODIS Composite Image January 21, 2010 - 1:30 p.m. PST Click
NRL AquaMODIS Composite Image
January 21, 2010 - 1:30 p.m. PST

The fifth and final system of the series that began Sunday brought thunderstorms, damaging winds, record low pressure, heavy rain and snow to Southern California yesterday. The unusually large trough associated with the system covered most of the northeastern Pacific yesterday, and unsettled weather is expected today as it continues to move onshore.

Very strong wings, possibly a tornado or thunderstorm downburst, felled trees and damaged structures in Ventura and Santa Barbara. Record rainfall for the date was recorded at Santa Maria, Palmdale, and Lancaster, but more extraordinary, new all-time records for lowest barometric pressure were set at several locations in the Los Angeles area. Note: The NWS documented an EF-0 tornado in Ventura (3Mb PDF).

Here are some preliminary rainfall totals from around the area, compiled by the NWS, for the period 10:00 p.m. Tuesday to 10:00 p.m. this evening. Note that this combines rainfall from system #4 on Wednesday, and our current Thursday-Friday system. And here's an NWS Public Information Statement with some impressive snowfall totals for the week. Wow -- Mt. Baldy got 7 feet of snow! (Updated 01/23/10)

As of yesterday, Downtown Los Angeles (USC) has received 4.21 inches of rain from the series of storms, bringing its water year total to 9.34 inches, which is 3.44 inches above normal. Over the week, the Sierra Nevada has received several feet of snow, and the statewide average snowpack is now above normal.

Please refer to www.weather.gov/losangeles for the latest warnings and weather information.

More information concerning Southern California weather can be found using our WEATHER LINKS page.

 

Friday, January 22, 2010 8:13:14 AM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)  #    Disclaimer  |   | 
# Wednesday, January 20, 2010

NRL GOES Day/Night Image January 20, 2010 - 11:30 a.m. PST Click
NRL GOES Day/Night Image
January 20, 2010 - 11:30 a.m. PST

In a classic case of "be careful what you wish for," Southern California has been awash in a series of storms that rival those of the biggest El Nino years. Coming on top of the rain we've already recorded this week, today's and Thursday's systems appear likely to deliver a combination punch with potentially serious consequences.

Yesterday's vigorous system was characterized by scattered thunderstorms, heavy downpours, and damaging winds. Rainfall amounts generally ranged from about 0.5 inch to 1.0 inch, with some isolated higher amounts. Here's an archived copy of NWS Public Information Statement with preliminary rainfall totals for the period 5:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Today's frontal system, the fourth in the series since Sunday, is producing heavy rain, strong winds, and the possibility of thunderstorms. More rain is expected than resulted from yesterday's storm. BUFKIT analysis of 18z NAM data for Van Nuys (VNY) indicates about 2 inches of rain today and tonight, with generalized rain rates peaking at about 0.4 inch/hour. Higher localized rainfall rates could occur in the vicinity of thunderstorms. Here is an archived copy of a NWS Los Angeles Quantitative Precipitation Statement with more detailed information.

Unlike previous systems this week, Thursday's system is forecast to develop a surface low west of Pt. Conception. According to the WRF forecast a multi-centered surface low will develop and deepen into a 972 mb low west to northwest of Pt. Conception. In addition to the usual dynamics associated with such a low, a very strong jet is forecast to be in a position overhead that would maximize system dynamics. The formation of a surface low could also slow the progress of the system, potentially increasing precipitation totals.

Please refer to www.weather.gov/losangeles for the latest warnings and weather information.

More information concerning Southern California weather can be found using our WEATHER LINKS page.

 

Wednesday, January 20, 2010 1:44:28 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)  #    Disclaimer  |   | 
# Tuesday, January 19, 2010

NRL GOES Day/Night Image January 17, 2010 - 3:00 p.m. PST Click
NRL GOES Day/Night Image
January 17, 2010 - 3:00 p.m. PST

So many systems are moving through Southern California so fast, I thought I better check some satellite images and make sure I had my count right. Here's a NRL GOES Day/Night image from Sunday afternoon that shows system #1 moving into Southern California, and systems #2 and #3 out in the Pacific.

Then here is a NRL GOES Day/Night image from midday yesterday (Monday) that shows system #2 hammering Southern California. The combined rainfall totals from system #1 and system #2 are listed in this archived copy of NWS Public Information Statement issued this morning.

Today's system is number three in the series that started Sunday afternoon. Intellicast.com composite radar shows the N-S aligned frontal band moving onshore this morning. Current QPF forecasts suggest precipitation amounts ranging from about 0.75 inch to 1.5 inches with higher amounts possible in the foothills and mountains, or in heavy downpours associated with thunderstorms. This system is colder and more convective than previous systems in the series, so precipitation amounts may vary widely.

System #3 is a transitional system, as a large upper and lower level low complex and circulation develops in the Northeastern Pacific. The resulting system #4-5 looks to be the culminating event of the series, and is forecast to produce rain on Wednesday, and then again Thursday into Friday. BUFKIT analysis of 12z NAM data generates more than 3.5 inches of rain in the central San Fernando Valley from Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon. If the NAM forecast verifies, even higher totals could occur in orographically favored foothills and mountain locations.

Please refer to www.weather.gov/losangeles for the latest warnings and weather information.

More information concerning Southern California weather can be found using our WEATHER LINKS page.

 

Tuesday, January 19, 2010 10:13:10 AM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)  #    Disclaimer  |   | 
# Monday, January 18, 2010

GOES-11 Water Vapor Image (UW-MAD) from January 18, 2010 - 8:30 a.m. PST Click
GOES-11 Water Vapor Image (UW-MAD)
January 18, 2010 - 8:30 a.m. PST

The first of several systems forecast to affect Southern California this week moved through the area overnight, resulting in generally moderate rainfall. Precipitation amounts in the Los Angeles area generally ranged from about 0.3 inch to 1.0 inch, with somewhat higher totals in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Here's an archived copy of NWS Public Information Statement with preliminary rainfall totals through 4:00 a.m. this morning.

All eyes now turn to the second system of the series, currently moving onshore. This system is expected to produce more rain, higher rain rates, stronger winds, and a higher likelihood of significant weather impacts than last night's system.

Please refer to www.weather.gov/losangeles for the latest information.

 

More information concerning Southern California weather can be found using our WEATHER LINKS page.

 

Monday, January 18, 2010 10:10:48 AM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)  #    Disclaimer  |   | 
# Wednesday, January 13, 2010

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CPC 6-10 Day Precipitation Outlook

After nearly two weeks of idyllic days with temps in the 70's and 80's, it rained in Southern California last night and into this morning. But today's rain is just a precursor. Just a little reminder that it's the rainy season in Southern California, and more rain is on the way -- possibly a lot more rain.

Skies will start to clear later today, and temps are forecast to be back into the 70's tomorrow. But the dry weather won't last. For several days forecast tools have been projecting a major pattern change -- to a wet pattern more like what might be expected in January of an El Nino year.

Today's Climate Prediction Center 6-10 day precipitation outlook indicates a 70% probability that precipitation will be above normal in Southern California for the period January 19-23, and the 8-14 day precipitation outlook indicates a 60% probability that precipitation will be above normal for the period January 21-27.

As part of its analysis, the CPC now uses historical analogs with 500 hPa patterns similar to the current forecast. In the 6-10 day forecast period the 10 most similar analogs produced above average precipitation in Southern California 9 out of 10 times. In the 8-14 day period the 10 closest analogs produced above average precipitation 6 or 7 times out of 10. Also of note, many of the analog cases with the most similar 500 hPa patterns are from wet El Nino years, such as 1958, 1978, 1983, 1992, 1995, and 1998.

Late in the weekend, around Sunday evening, the first of these potentially strong systems is expected to move onshore. Additional impulses and systems are forecast to follow in quick succession, driven by a fast moving zonal flow and strong jet stream. If current computer projections validate, the wet pattern could continue through the end of January. If precipitation totals approach what is forecast over the period, a host of rain related impacts are a possibility. We'll see.

Update January 15, 2010. PDF of slides from NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard Weather Briefing "Significant Storm Impacts For Southern California Next Week" by Eric Boldt Warning Coordination Meteorologist. Presented on January 14, 2010. Please refer to www.weather.gov/losangeles for the latest information.

More information concerning Southern California weather can be found using our WEATHER LINKS page.

Related post: How Does the El Nino of 2009-10 Compare to Other Warm ENSO Episodes Since 1950?

 

Wednesday, January 13, 2010 1:30:16 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)  #    Disclaimer  |   | 
# Sunday, January 10, 2010

Following is a chart comparing the 2009-10 El Niño to other warm ENSO episodes that have occurred since 1950. The warm episodes are based on the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) and are those specified in the CPC's tabulation of Cold & Warm Episodes by Season. A description of the parameters follows the chart. With the exception of 1951-52, a GWO phase space plot is included for each warm episode. Data for 2009-10 will be updated periodically.

Year Nov-Mar
AAM
Peak MEI Peak MEI Season Peak
ONI
Peak ONI Season L.A. Rain GWO
Phase Plot
1951-521 -- 0.856 JULAUG 0.8 SON 26.21 --
1957-582 0.773 1.470 DECJAN, JANFEB 1.7 DJF 21.13 Click for Nov-Mar GWO Phase Space Plot
1963-64 0.046 0.858 OCTNOV, DECJAN 1.0 OND, NDJ 7.93 Click for Nov-Mar GWO Phase Space Plot
1965-66 -0.748 1.485 JULAUG 1.6 OND, NDJ 20.44 Click for Nov-Mar GWO Phase Space Plot
1968-69 0.513 0.834 JANFEB 1.0 DJF, JFM 27.47 Click for Nov-Mar GWO Phase Space Plot
1972-733 -0.239 1.804 JUNJUL 2.1 NDJ 21.26 Click for Nov-Mar GWO Phase Space Plot
1976-77 -0.828 1.046 AUGSEP 0.8 OND 12.31 Click for Nov-Mar GWO Phase Space Plot
1977-78 1.008 1.007 SEPOCT, OCTNOV 0.7 OND, NDJ, DJF 33.44 Click for Nov-Mar GWO Phase Space Plot
1982-83 2.337 3.109 FEBMAR 2.3 NDJ, DJF 31.25 Click for Nov-Mar GWO Phase Space Plot
1986-874 0.019 2.128 APRMAY 1.3 JFM 7.66 Click for Nov-Mar GWO Phase Space Plot
1987-884 1.000 2.013 JULAUG 1.6 JAS, ASO 12.48 Click for Nov-Mar GWO Phase Space Plot
1991-92 0.808 2.246 MARAPR 1.8 DJF 21.00 Click for Nov-Mar GWO Phase Space Plot
1994-95 0.764 1.346 SEPOCT 1.3 NDJ 24.35 Click for Nov-Mar GWO Phase Space Plot
1997-98 1.481 2.882 JULAUG 2.5 OND, NDJ 31.01 Click for Nov-Mar GWO Phase Space Plot
2002-03 0.324 1.230 DECJAN 1.5 OND 16.49 Click for Nov-Mar GWO Phase Space Plot
2004-05 0.747 0.924 FEBMAR 0.9 ASO 37.96 Click for Nov-Mar GWO Phase Space Plot
2006-07 -0.322 1.288 OCTNOV 1.1 OND, NDJ 3.21 Click for Nov-Mar GWO Phase Space Plot
2009-105 0.304 1.502 JANFEB 1.8 NDJ 16.36 Click for Nov-Mar GWO Phase Space Plot
1. AAM and AAM tendency anomaly data for 1951-52 not available.
2. AAM anomaly is average for Jan-Mar 1958.
3. Several MEI values were near 1.8 during 1972-73.
4. Continuous episode from JAS 1986 to JFM 1988.
5. Data as of June 30, 2010.

Nov-Mar AAM: The mean of the global relative atmospheric angular momentum anomaly for the period November 1 to March 31 of the following year. Data is from the GWO phase space data file linked on the Global Synoptic Dynamic Model page of the PSD Map Room Climate Products. Reference Weickmann and Berry, 2008.

Peak MEI: The peak seasonal value of the Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI). Reference Wolter and Timlin, 1993, 1998.

Peak MEI Season: The peak bi-monthly season(s) for which the MEI is computed.

Peak ONI: The peak Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) based on SST anomalies in the Niño 3.4 region. Reference Climate Prediction Center Cold & Warm Episodes by Season (1971-2000 climatology).

Peak ONI Season: The peak tri-monthly season(s) for which the ONI is computed.

L.A. Rain: The water year precipitation total in inches for Downtown Los Angeles (USC). Reference NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard Downtown Los Angeles Climate Page, 1921-2006 Water Year Rainfall.

GWO Phase Space Plot: Plot of global relative atmospheric angular momentum anomaly vs. global relative atmospheric angular momentum tendency anomaly for the period November 1 to March 31 of the following year. Data is from the GWO phase space data file linked on the Global Synoptic Dynamic Model page of the PSD Map Room Climate Products. Reference Weickmann and Berry, 2008.

Sunday, January 10, 2010 1:59:38 PM (Pacific Standard Time, UTC-08:00)  #    Disclaimer  |   |