February Weather, Looking Like December All Over Again
From Accuweather.com
January 22, 2010
Much of the U.S. should prepare for another round of severe cold
and snowy weather, similar to the recent "December to Remember," but focused
farther east.
AccuWeather.com Expert Senior Meteorologist and Long-Range Forecaster Joe
Bastardi sees a "top-ten cold February" in store for much of the U.S., compared
to the last 50 years.
"I believe the physical drivers are all there for a major cold month, much like
this December was," Bastardi said. He added that the rally in natural gas prices
of late may be attributed to other forecasters coming around to his thinking.
Bastardi suggests that temperatures will be well-below normal for much of the
nation in February, with the center of the cold hovering over the Tennessee-Ohio
Valley into the Central Appalachians, extending back through the Plains and
perhaps the Great Basin.
An active southern storm track will contribute to above-normal
snowfall in many areas that experienced above-normal snowfall in December. Parts
of Florida could even have another shot at snow.
Bastardi said this February will rival the weather seen in previous Februaries
known for their severity.
"It may very well turn into a blend of February '07 and February '03, which were
the most extreme Februarys we've had in the last 15 years," said Bastardi. Joe
believes that the legendary February of 1958 is not beyond reach.
Editors Note: For those of you
who may not remember, click
here for a picture of our
deck and BBQ after a snowstorm on Feb. 14, 2007. And by the way, we
shovel the deck after every storm, so this was just from that one storm.
The demand for heating oil may surge again as the cold weather returns and
lingers.
"This upcoming cold, like December, will slap you in the face and kick you in
the wallet," Bastardi said.
:
