Monday, December 28, 2009

Is it going to rain for the New Year's Festivities?

Rain could move into the area by New Year's Eve and stay in the area overnight into the first day of the new year however I believe the precipitation will be isolated. It is unlikely that we will see a steady rain. At most, we should see decent weather for Thursday, with sporadic rain showers moving into the area by 9PM and that chance of on-and-off rain will continue through the night. The precipitation chances should shrink to close to zero by 12PM on Friday as colder, much colder air in fact, moves into the area. The New Year's weekend looks to become one of the coldest thus far.

New Year's Forecasts

BOTTOM LINE - Temperatures will be cool but not cold on New Year's Eve and Day; precipitation chances will be greatest Thursday (12/31) night and early Friday (1/1/10) morning. However any rain that develops will likely be light dropping little accumulating rain. Probability of Precipitation - 50% inland; 35% along coast.

First few days of the New Year - Very cold and temperatures in Savannah could drop to sub-freezing temperatures for several hours in the mornings (mainly 1/2 - 1/5); along the coast, temperatures could very well drop below 32°F which is highly unusual.

Thurs., December 31, 2009 - High around 54°F and Low approaching 45°F (thought that may occur just after midnight and rise steadily as the morning progresses). Precipitation develops after 6AM ET and chances continue to increase as day progresses. Can't rule out showers moving inland from ocean, as moisture is pulled into frontal zone. Any precipitation will bring little accumulation.

Fri., January 1, 2010 - High reaching around 53°F (but again, this will probably be reached in the early morning) and lows around 42°F (likely reached during last evening hours). Rain chances will diminish drastically by 9AM.

The Quantitative Precipitation Forecast shows little precipitation accumulation for Wednesday and Thursday (from 12/30 7PM ET to 12/31 7PM ET, respectively) and keeps that same pattern of relatively small amounts of precipitation for the area, including Skidaway Island. The first image below is the forecast and note how the high amounts of precipitation have not fallen over the Savannah area, they remain to the west. The same holds true for the second images, which shows precipitation accumulation from 12Z 12/31/09 until 12Z 1/2/10 of around a tenth of an inch.



Two major models, the GFS (18Z) and the NAM (0Z 12/29), both paint different pictures for this upcoming week. The GFS continues to keep moisture in the area much more so by Thursday night, while temperatures throughout the first part of the week remain cool and warm gradually as rain chances increase. The NAM keeps the area drier and cooler, giving the Savannah area a relatively calm weather day on Thursday night and Friday morning.

As for the blizzard that could impact parts of the Northeast around the first of January, the models are essentially guessing haphazardly how strong the storm will be in terms of pressure, whether the storm will have a more easterly or westerly component, and if the precipitation line will be far enough south to impact the ball drop in Times Square. I believe the chances are slim for snow or frozen precipitation on New Year's Eve and the early morning hours of New Year's Day. Most all the models remain in agreement that some type of low pressure system will impact the East Coast and the rain/snow line continues to be located incredibly near the New York City metro area. So this certainly points to the fact that could potential be some mixed precipitation in the general area--but I would not put much faith in that possibility.

On another note, a Freeze Warning is in effect from this evening until 9AM ET tomorrow morning (12/29/09). This event will bring the coldest temperatures of the season to coastal locations, including Halfmoon Landing, Fort McAllister, and Darien.

Stay Warm!

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