Colorado Basin and Great Basin and New Mexico Water Supply Forecast Discussion – Posted on May 7, 2024

The mission of the National Weather Service Colorado Basin River Forecast Center (CBRFC) is to produce river, flood, and water supply forecasts for the Colorado Basin and the Great Basin in support of saving lives and property and to enhance the region’s environment and economy. The Colorado Basin River Forecast Center (CBRFC) geographic forecast area includes the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB), Lower Colorado River Basin (LCRB), and Eastern Great Basin (GB). You can access their website HERE.

In this article, I am providing a summary of their Water Supply Forecast Discussion released on March 19, 2024.  The situation has improved but there is a lot of variability. It is not the usual north (dry) to south (wet) pattern that one expects with El Nino but more of a north (dry) center (wet) south (dry) pattern related to the storm track where it is wetter than north or south of the storm track.  It shows up in terms of the Upper versus Lower Colorado Basin. Due to a wet winter last year, the reservoirs are mostly in good shape.

 

I have also included information on the current BOR reservoir storage levels including some that are outside of the Colorado River Basin. I also provide information on New Mexico which is partly in the Colorado Basin and mostly outside of the Colorado Basin.

The image below shows part of the area covered in the CBRFC Report.  The map shown here is only the Colorado Basin. The Eastern Great Basin is to the west of this map. The maps shown in the article cover both basins but are not as scenic as this map.

Map showing both the Colorado Basin and Eastern Great Basin.

Please click on “Read More” to read the rest of this article.

Today Through the Fourth Friday (22 to 28 days) Weather Outlook for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted May 7, 2024

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

First the NWS Short Range Forecast. The afternoon NWS text update can be found here but it is unlikely to have changed very much. The images in this article automatically update.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Tue May 07 2024
Valid 12Z Tue May 07 2024 – 12Z Thu May 09 2024

…There is an Enhanced Risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of the
Ohio Valley on Tuesday and over parts of the Southern Plains, Middle/Lower
Mississippi Valley, and Ohio/Tennessee Valleys on Wednesday…

…There is a Slight Risk of excessive rainfall over parts of the Ohio
Valley on Tuesday and over parts of the Middle/Lower Mississippi Valley
and Ohio/Tennessee Valleys on Wednesday…

…Heavy snow over the higher elevations of the Northern Rockies…

A front extending from the Northern Plains to the Middle Mississippi
Valley and then to the Southern Plain on Tuesday will develop a wave of
low pressure over the Upper Great Lakes by Wednesday. The boundary will
move off the Northeast Coast by Thursday as a second wave of low pressure
develops over the Southern Plains and moves to the Ohio Valley by
Thursday.

As the front advances eastward on Tuesday, it will bring with it showers
and severe thunderstorms, particularly over parts of the Ohio Valley and
Middle Mississippi Valley. In light of this, the SPC has issued an
Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) of severe thunderstorms over parts of Indiana,
western Ohio, and north-central Kentucky through Wednesday morning. The
potential hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent
lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes.
There is also a heightened threat of EF2 to EF5 tornadoes and hail two
inches or greater over the area.

Furthermore, the showers and thunderstorms will produce heavy rain over
parts of southern Indiana, southwestern Ohio, and north-central Kentucky.
Therefore, the WPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/4) of excessive
rainfall over parts of the Ohio Valley through Wednesday morning. The
associated heavy rain will create mainly localized areas of flash
flooding, with urban areas, roads, small streams, and low-lying areas the
most vulnerable. Additionally, showers and thunderstorms will develop over
parts of the Northeast, Southeast, Southern Plains, Central Gulf Coast,
and Upper Great Lakes on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, as the second wave of low pressure moves out of the Southern
Plains into the Middle/Lower Mississippi Valley, the storm will produce
showers and severe thunderstorms over parts of Oklahoma, a small part of
Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, southeastern Illinois, southern
Indiana, Tennessee, and a small portion of Mississippi. Therefore, the SPC
has issued an Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) of severe thunderstorms over parts
of the Ohio/Tennessee Valleys, Middle/Lower Mississippi Valley, and
Southern Plains from Wednesday through Thursday morning. The hazards
associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe
thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes. There will be the
added threat of EF2 to EF5 tornadoes over parts of the Middle Mississippi
Valley and the Ohio/Tennessee Valleys. Moreover, there will be an
additional threat of hail two inches or greater over parts of the
Ohio/Tennessee Valleys, Middle/Lower Mississippi Valley, and Southern
Plains.

Further, the showers and thunderstorms will cause heavy rain to develop
over parts of the Ohio/Tennessee Valleys and the Middle/Lower Mississippi
Valley. Therefore, the WPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/4) of
excessive rainfall over the region from Wednesday into Thursday morning.
The associated heavy rain will create mainly localized areas of flash
flooding, with urban areas, roads, small streams, and low-lying areas the
most vulnerable. Additionally, showers and thunderstorms will develop over
parts of the Northeast to Southeast on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, upper-level energy over the northwestern sector of the country
will produce rain and higher-elevation snow over parts of the Pacific
Northwest through late Tuesday night. The system will produce rain over
parts of the Northern High Plains and heavy snow over parts of the
Northern Rockies on Tuesday and Wednesday.

To get your local forecast plus active alerts and warnings click HERE and enter your city, state or zip code.

Learn about wave patterns HERE.

Then, looking at the world and of course, the U.S. shows here also. Today we are looking at precipitation.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full Daily Report issued today.

Today Through the Fourth Friday (22 to 28 days) Weather Outlook for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted May 6, 2024

It is difficult to find a more comprehensive Weather Outlook anywhere else with the ability to get a local 10-day Forecast also.

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

First the NWS Short Range Forecast. The afternoon NWS text update can be found here but it is unlikely to have changed very much. The images in this article automatically update.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Mon May 06 2024
Valid 12Z Mon May 06 2024 – 12Z Wed May 08 2024

…There is a Moderate Risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of the
Central/Southern Plains on Monday and a Slight Risk across the Ohio Valley
on Tuesday…

…There is a Slight Risk of excessive rainfall over the Northern High
Plains and Central Plains/Middle Mississippi Valley on Monday…

…Heavy snow over the higher elevations from the Pacific Northwest to the
Northern/Central Rockies…

A front extending from the Northern Rockies/Northern High Plains to the
Southern Rockies will advance eastward to the Lower Great Lakes and
southwestward to the Middle Mississippi Valley by Wednesday. The deep
upper-level trough associated with the system will help produce heavy snow
over parts of the Northern/Central Rockies and the Uinta Mountains on
Monday.

Moreover, moisture from the Gulf of Mexico will stream northward over the
Pains on Monday and Tuesday. The system will produce showers and severe
thunderstorms as the boundary moves onto the Plains. Therefore, the SPC
has issued a Moderate Risk (level 4/5) of severe thunderstorms over parts
of the Central/Southern Plains through Tuesday morning. The hazards
associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe
thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes. There will be the
added threat of EF2 to EF5 tornadoes, severe thunderstorm wind gusts of 65
knots or greater, and hail two inches or greater over the area.

Furthermore, the showers and thunderstorms will produce heavy rain over
parts of eastern Kansas/Nebraska, western Iowa/Missouri, and northeastern
Oklahoma as the front moves out of the Rockies onto the Plains. Therefore,
the WPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/4) of excessive rainfall over
parts of the Central/Southern Plains and Middle Mississippi Valley through
Tuesday morning. The associated heavy rain will create mainly localized
areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, small streams, and
low-lying areas the most vulnerable.

In addition, the moisture over the Northern High Plains will aid in
creating showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain over parts of eastern
Montana and northeastern Wyoming. Therefore, the WPC has issued a Slight
Risk (level 2/4) of excessive rainfall over parts of the Northern High
Plains through Tuesday morning. The associated heavy rain will create
mainly localized areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, small
streams, and low-lying areas the most vulnerable.

On Tuesday, as the cold front moves across the Ohio Valley, the boundary
will produce showers and severe thunderstorms over parts of Ohio, Indiana,
Kentucky, southeastern Illinois, southeastern Missouri, extreme
northeastern Arkansas, and a small portion of northern Tennessee.
Therefore, the SPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/5) of severe
thunderstorms over parts of the Ohio Valley and Middle/Lower Mississippi
Valley from Tuesday through Wednesday morning. The hazards associated
with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind
gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes. There will be an additional threat of
hail two inches or greater over parts of the Ohio Valley.

Further, showers and thunderstorms will develop over parts of the Ohio
Valley, the Mid-Atlantic, the Southeast, and the Central Gulf Coast on
Monday and over parts of the Northeast and Southeast on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, another front onshore over the Pacific Northwest will move
eastward to the Northern Intermountain Region and into Central California
by late Monday afternoon. The northern half of the boundary will dissipate
by Tuesday morning, while the southern half moves southeastward to the
Southern Plains/Southern Rockies, linking up with the front and extending
westward over the Ohio Valley by Tuesday afternoon.

On Monday, rain and higher-elevation snow will develop over the Pacific
Northwest as the system moves onshore over the Northwest. The snow will be
heavy over the Southern Cascades. Snow will also develop over parts of the
Northern Intermountain Region Monday night.

On Tuesday, onshore flow will keep rain and higher-elevation snow over
parts of the Northwest. Furthermore, upper-level energy over the Northern
Rockies will aid in producing heavy snow over parts of the region.

To get your local forecast plus active alerts and warnings click HERE and enter your city, state or zip code.

Learn about wave patterns HERE.

Then, looking at the world and of course, the U.S. shows here also. Today we are looking at precipitation.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full Daily Report issued today.

Today Through the Fourth Friday (22 to 28 days) Weather Outlook for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted May 5, 2024

It is difficult to find a more comprehensive Weather Outlook anywhere else with the ability to get a local 10-day Forecast also.

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

First the NWS Short Range Forecast. The afternoon NWS text update can be found here but it is unlikely to have changed very much. The images in this article automatically update.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Sun May 05 2024
Valid 12Z Sun May 05 2024 – 12Z Tue May 07 2024

…There is a Moderate Risk of excessive rainfall over parts of the
Southern Plains on Sunday and a Slight Risk over the Northern High Plains
and Central Plains/Middle Mississippi Valley on Monday…

…Heavy snow over the southern Cascades, Northern Rockies, and Uinta
Mountains on Sunday and Monday…

…There is a Moderate Risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of the
Central/Southern High Plains on Monday…

A front extending from the Northern Intermountain Region to Southern
California on Sunday will advance eastward to the Northern/Middle
Mississippi Valley and then to the Southern Plains. At the same time, the
associated surface low deepens significantly by Tuesday.

The system will produce rain and higher-elevation snow over parts of the
Pacific Northwest, Northern Intermountain Region, and Great Basin, with
heavy snow developing over parts of the Southern Cascades. Scattered rain
and higher-elevation snow will also develop over parts of California.
Overnight Sunday, the snow will expand into the Northern/Central Rockies
as light rain develops over the Northern High Plains.

On Monday, the snow will continue over parts of the Northern Intermountain
Region and Northern/Central Rockies, with heavy snow developing over parts
of the Northern Rockies and Uinta Mountains.

Moreover, moisture from the Gulf of Mexico will stream northward over the
Pains Sunday night into Monday and Tuesday. The moisture will aid in
creating showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain over parts of eastern
Montana. Therefore, the WPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/4) of
excessive rainfall over parts of the Northern High Plains from Monday into
Tuesday morning. The associated heavy rain will create mainly localized
areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, small streams, and
low-lying areas the most vulnerable.

Furthermore, showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain will develop over
parts of eastern Kansas/Nebraska and western Iowa/Missouri as the front
moves out of the Rockies onto the Plains. Therefore, the WPC has issued a
Slight Risk (level 2/4) of excessive rainfall over parts of the Central
Plains/Middle Mississippi Valley from Monday into Tuesday morning. The
associated heavy rain will create mainly localized areas of flash
flooding, with urban areas, roads, small streams, and low-lying areas the
most vulnerable.

More significantly, the system will produce showers and severe
thunderstorms as the boundary moves onto the Plains. Therefore, the SPC
has issued a Moderate Risk (level 4/5) of severe thunderstorms over parts
of the Central/Southern Plains from Monday into Tuesday morning. The
hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning, severe
thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes. There will be the
added threat of EF2 to EF5 tornadoes, severe thunderstorm wind gusts of 65
knots or greater, and hail two inches or greater over the area.

Meanwhile, another front extending from the Great Lakes to the Southern
Plains will slowly move eastward off the Northeast Coast on Sunday. At the
same time, the western portion returns northward as a warm front over the
Middle Mississippi/Ohio Valleys by Tuesday. Moisture from the Western Gulf
of Mexico will stream northward over eastern Texas, producing showers and
thunderstorms with heavy rain. Therefore, the WPC has issued a Moderate
Risk (level 3/4) of excessive rainfall over eastern Texas through Monday
morning. The associated heavy rain will create numerous areas of flash
flooding. Furthermore, many streams may flood, potentially affecting
larger rivers.

In addition, some of the showers and thunderstorms will be severe.
Therefore, the SPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/5) of severe
thunderstorms over parts of the Southern Plains through Monday morning.
The hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent lightning,
severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes. Also, showers
and thunderstorms will extend from the Lower Great Lakes/Ohio Valley to
the Southeast on Sunday. The showers and thunderstorms will continue along
and near the boundary from the Ohio Valley to the Mid-Atlantic and
southward from the Lower Mississippi Valley to the Southeast Monday into
Tuesday morning.

To get your local forecast plus active alerts and warnings click HERE and enter your city, state or zip code.

Learn about wave patterns HERE.

Then, looking at the world and of course, the U.S. shows here also. Today we are looking at precipitation.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full Daily Report issued today.

EIA Provides Information on the U.S. Oil Reserves – It is looking pretty good- Posted on May 4, 2024

EIA  the U.S. Energy Information Agency has issued their estimate of U.S. Oil and Gas Reserves in 2022. It takes them time to obtain the information by survey and validate the information. It is not simple for oil and gas operators to know what their reserves are. In this article, I present the EIA report in its entirety with two additional EIA graphics. My comments as usual are in a box.

What are reserves and what are they not? Proven (same as proved) reserves are the amount of a natural resource that can be economically extracted at current prices with existing technology Aside from the accuracy of the estimate there are three other variables in the definition that allow for future changes in the estimate of the reserves: “known”, “existing technology” and “current prices”. Usually proved reserves are an underestimate but sometimes what is considered to be a proved reserve turns out not to be as the extraction process proceeds. Estimates are usually also made for probable reserves, possible reserves, yet-to-be-discovered reserves, and total recoverable reserves. Based on my experience, proven reserves are important in investment decisions. But the other categories are also considered. What you like to see is the gross addition to proved reserves each year being equal to or larger than the withdrawals for that year. If that stops happening, it is concerning. On the other hand, If prices increase or if there is an important advancement in technology that allows more of the technically recoverable to be moved into one of the reserve categories. Sophisticated investors pay attention to the changes in the reserves. Those in the industry are mostly concerned about prices as a decline in prices caused a write-down in reserves. HERE is a good resource for mining accounting. Oil and gas should be fairly similar. My opinion is that this falls into the category of Buyer Beware.

In hard rock mining, which is my background, you prove up reserves mostly by drilling. In oil and gas, it is by drilling and pumping. IMO it is easier to determine your reserves in hard rock mining than oil and gas but they may not be more accurate.   In both sectors prices impact reserves. In oil gas, every well you drill provides information on what your reserves are. That is one reason why we look at it every year.

Some readers will need to click on “Read More” to access the remainder of this article.

Today Through the Fourth Friday (22 to 28 days) Weather Outlook for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted May 3, 2024

It is difficult to find a more comprehensive Weather Outlook anywhere else with the ability to get a local 10-day Forecast also.

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

First the NWS Short Range Forecast. The afternoon NWS text update can be found here but it is unlikely to have changed very much. The images in this article automatically update.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Fri May 03 2024
Valid 12Z Fri May 03 2024 – 12Z Sun May 05 2024

…There is a Slight Risk of excessive rainfall over parts of the
Western/Central Gulf Coast on Friday and the Southern Plains on Saturday…

…Heavy snow over the Sierra Nevada Mountains on Saturday…

…There is a Slight Risk of severe thunderstorms over parts of the
Central/Southern Plains…

A front extending from the Great Lakes to the Southern Plains will slowly
dissipate on Friday while a new front develops over parts of the Central
Plains/Great Basin. Upper-level energy over the Southern Plains/Lower
Mississippi Valley and very moist air will aid in producing showers and
thunderstorms with heavy rain over parts of southeastern Texas and
Louisiana. Therefore, the WPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/4) of
excessive rainfall over parts of the Western/Central Gulf Coast through
Saturday morning. The associated heavy rain will create mainly localized
areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, small streams, and
low-lying areas the most vulnerable.

In addition, some of the showers and thunderstorms will be severe.
Therefore, the SPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/5) of severe
thunderstorms over parts of the Southern High Plains through Saturday
morning. The hazards associated with these thunderstorms are frequent
lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few tornadoes.
Further, there will be an additional risk of hail two inches or greater
over the area.

Moreover, the developing front over western Kansas will cause a second
area of severe thunderstorms. Therefore, the SPC has issued a Slight Risk
(level 2/5) of severe thunderstorms over parts of the Central High Plains
through Saturday morning. The hazards associated with these thunderstorms
are frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few
tornadoes.

Furthermore, on Friday, showers and thunderstorms will develop along and
ahead of the front extending from the Great Lakes to the Lower Mississippi
Valley. The showers and thunderstorms will march eastward into the Lower
Great Lakes, Central Appalachians, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast.

By Saturday, the new front will extend from the Upper Great Lakes to the
Southern High Plains. Moisture pooling along the boundary will create
showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain over central Texas and parts of
southeastern Oklahoma. Therefore, the WPC has issued a Slight Risk (level
2/4) of excessive rainfall over parts of the Southern Plains from Saturday
into Sunday morning. The associated heavy rain will create mainly
localized areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, small streams,
and low-lying areas the most vulnerable.

Similarly, some of the showers and thunderstorms will be severe.
Therefore, the SPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/5) of severe
thunderstorms over parts of the Southern High Plains from Saturday into
Sunday morning. The hazards associated with these thunderstorms are
frequent lightning, severe thunderstorm wind gusts, hail, and a few
tornadoes. Moreover, there will be an additional risk of hail two inches
or greater over the area. The showers and thunderstorms will also develop
along and ahead of the front from the Great Lakes to the Ohio Valley.

A dissipating front will move over the Appalachians into the Southeast on
Saturday. Rain showers will develop over parts of the Northeast into the
Mid-Atlantic. Additionally, showers and thunderstorms will extend from
parts of the Tennessee Valley to the Southeast.

Meanwhile, upper-level energy over the Northern Rockies will create light
snow over parts of the Northern Rockies and Northern High Plains on
Friday, ending by Friday night. Moreover, a front over the Eastern Pacific
will move onshore over the Pacific Northwest overnight Friday, moving
inland to the Northern Intermountain Region and Southern California by
Sunday morning.

The system will produce rain over parts of the Pacific Northwest Coast
overnight Friday, expanding into Northern California by Saturday morning.
Light snow will develop over parts of the higher elevations of the Pacific
Northwest on Saturday. As the front moves inland, rain expands into
Southern California on Saturday afternoon. Heavy snow will develop over
parts of the Sierra Nevada Mountains overnight Saturday into Sunday. By
Sunday morning, snow will move over parts of the Great Basin.

To get your local forecast plus active alerts and warnings click HERE and enter your city, state or zip code.

Learn about wave patterns HERE.

Then, looking at the world and of course, the U.S. shows here also. Today we are looking at precipitation.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full Daily Report issued today.

Today Through the Fourth Friday (22 to 28 days) Weather Outlook for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted May 2, 2024

It is difficult to find a more comprehensive Weather Outlook anywhere else with the ability to get a local 10-day Forecast also.

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

First the NWS Short Range Forecast. The afternoon NWS text update can be found here but it is unlikely to have changed very much. The images in this article automatically update.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Thu May 02 2024
Valid 12Z Thu May 02 2024 – 12Z Sat May 04 2024

…Severe Thunderstorms and Flash Flooding concerns over portions of the
Central/Southern Plains and Mississippi Valley today…

…Cool and snowy in parts of the Northwest with above average and
potentially record breaking temperatures into the Ohio Valley and
Mid-Atlantic on today…

The main area of concern will be across the Central part of the CONUS over
the next couple of days. Shortwave disturbances emerging from the base of
a mid-level trough anchored over the northern tier will generate scattered
to isolated thunderstorms across the Plains and Mississippi Valley today.
Some storms could turn severe, particularly over portions of north-central
Texas, where the Storm Prediction Center issued a Slight Risk (level 2/5)
of Severe Thunderstorms. Thunderstorms over areas that received plenty of
rain recently may cause additional flash flooding concerns, which is why
there’s a targeted Moderate Risk (at least 40%) of Excessive Rainfall over
southeastern Texas. The primary threat of severe weather and excessive
rainfall wanes on Friday as the associated low pressure system and
associated storms move into the Ohio/Tennessee Valley and Lower Great
Lakes regions. A second cold front will sweep through the Great Plains on
Friday, bringing another round of showers and thunderstorms to the region.

An upper trough stationed over the Northwest will generate below average
temperatures across the northern tier today and Friday. This cool airmass
will support high elevation snow across the western mountains, but
particularly over the Northern Rockies, where 6-12 inches of snow are
expected by Saturday morning. A new low pressure system will emerge over
the Pacific Northwest on Friday night, bringing with it enough moisture
for low elevation rain and mountain snow. An upper level ridge downstream
of approaching shortwave impulses will generate well above average
temperatures from the Ohio Valley to the East Coast today and Friday. Some
areas within these regions may tie or break high temperature records
today. There’s a Moderate Heat Risk over portions of the Mid-Atlantic
today affecting individuals who are sensitive to heat, especially those
without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Temperatures will
cool down a bit heading into the weekend after a cold front pushes through.

To get your local forecast plus active alerts and warnings click HERE and enter your city, state or zip code.

Learn about wave patterns HERE.

Then, looking at the world and of course, the U.S. shows here also. Today we are looking at precipitation.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full Daily Report issued today.

NOAA Updates its Weather Outlook for May 2024 – A Lot of Changes from the Mid-Month Outlook – Posted May 1, 2024

At the end of every month, NOAA updates its Outlook for the following month which in this case is May of 2024. We are reporting on that tonight.

There have been some significant changes in the Outlook for May and these are addressed in the NOAA Discussion so it is well worth reading.  We provided the prior Mid-Month Outlook for May for comparison. It is easy to see the changes by comparing the Mid-Month and Updated Maps.

The article includes the Drought Outlook for May. NOAA also adjusted the previously issued Seasonal (MJJ) Drought Outlook to reflect the changes in the May Drought Outlook. We have included a map showing the water-year-to-date precipitation in the Western States. We also provide the Week 2/3 Tropical Outlook for the World.  We also include a very interesting ENSO Blog Post.

The best way to understand the updated outlook for May is to view the maps and read the NOAA discussion. I have highlighted the key statements in the NOAA Discussion.

I am going to start with graphics that show the updated Outlook for May and the Mid-Month Outlook for May. This is followed by a graphic that shows both the Updated Outlook for May and the previously issued three-month outlook for MJJ 2024. So you get the full picture in three graphics.

Here is the updated Outlook for May 2024.

For Comparison Purposes, Here is the earlier Mid-Month Outlook for May.

It is important to remember that the maps show deviations from the current definition of normal which is the period 1991 through 2020.  So this is not a forecast of the absolute value of temperature or precipitation but the change from what is defined as normal or to use the technical term climatology.

It is not totally changed from what was issued on April 18, 2024, but there have been some significant changes. Remember, it is the first set of maps that are the current outlook for May.  One expects some changes  12 days later. However, the changes to the May Outlook are significant.  This then gives us some reason to question the (April 18, 2024) three-month MJJ temperature and precipitation Outlooks which are shown in the following graphic.

NOAA provided a combination of the Updated Outlook for May and the Three-Month Outlook. It was attractive but not easy to look at the difference between the current month and the three-month period that includes the current month. So I created my own. It is a little rough.

The top pair of maps are again the Updated Outlook for the new month. There is a temperature map and a precipitation map. The bottom row shows the three-month outlooks which include the new month. I think the outlook maps are self-explanatory.

To the extent that one can rely on a forecast, we would conclude that June and July will be very different than May, especially for temperature. You can basically subtract May from the three-month Outlook and divide by two to get a combined June-July Outlook.

Some readers may need to click “Read More” to read the rest of the article.  Some will feel that they have enough information. But there is a lot more information in the rest of this article.

Today Through the Fourth Friday (22 to 28 days) Weather Outlook for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted May 1, 2024

It is difficult to find a more comprehensive Weather Outlook anywhere else with the ability to get a local 10-day Forecast also.

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

First the NWS Short Range Forecast. The afternoon NWS text update can be found here but it is unlikely to have changed very much. The images in this article automatically update.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Wed May 01 2024
Valid 12Z Wed May 01 2024 – 12Z Fri May 03 2024

…Severe Weather and Excessive Rainfall concerns for parts of the
Central/Southern Plains and Mississippi Valley…

…Critical Fire Weather potential over portions of the Southern High
Plains today…

…Cool and snowy in the Northwest; above average temperatures continue
across much of the Central and Eastern U.S….

The month of May kicks off with severe weather and excessive rainfall
threats over the Central U.S.. A developing low pressure system over the
Central High Plains of Colorado will contribute to the initiation of
scattered to isolated thunderstorms across the Great Plains today. The
Storm Prediction Center issued an Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) of Severe
Thunderstorms over parts of southwest Kansas into northwest Oklahoma this
afternoon into the evening. A few tornadoes, very large hail and damaging
winds are expected for the broader Central/Southern Plains region. The
surface wave will lift into the Central Plains this evening and support
enhanced rain rates over parts of northern Kansas, eastern Nebraska and
western Iowa, where a Slight Risk (at least 15%) of Excessive Rainfall is
in effect. Thunderstorms (some potentially severe) originating from a
dryline in the Southern High Plains will grow as they propagate into a
very moist environment in central and eastern Texas today. Given the
saturated soils from recent heavy rainfall, a Moderate Risk (at least 40%)
of Excessive Rainfall is in effect for portions of eastern Texas in
between the Dallas and Houston metros this evening. Elsewhere, showers and
thunderstorms should wrap up this afternoon across the Carolina/Southeast
coast.

Severe storms and excessive rainfall threats shift into the Mississippi
Valley on Thursday as the low pressure system moves into the region.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will proliferate across the
Central/Southern Plains and Mississippi Valley, where a Slight Risk of
Excessive Rainfall is in effect. The MCS associated with tonight’s
excessive rainfall threat will shift into the ArkLaTex region Thursday
morning. An upper trough anchored over the Northwest will support below
average temperatures across the region for the next few days. With cold
air in place, an embedded shortwave impulse will contribute to high
elevation snow across the Cascades and Northern Rockies. Between 6-12
inches of snow is forecast to accumulate with isolated higher amounts most
likely over northwestern Montana by Friday morning. Temperatures will
remain above average, for the most part, across the eastern half of the
country through Friday before a cold front moderates things a bit heading
into the weekend.

To get your local forecast plus active alerts and warnings click HERE and enter your city, state or zip code.

Learn about wave patterns HERE.

Then, looking at the world and of course, the U.S. shows here also. Today we are looking at precipitation.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full Daily Report issued today.

Today Through the Fourth Friday (22 to 28 days) Weather Outlook for the U.S. and a Six-Day Forecast for the World: posted April 30, 2024

It is difficult to find a more comprehensive Weather Outlook anywhere else with the ability to get a local 10-day Forecast also.

This article focuses on what we are paying attention to in the next 48 to 72 hours. The article also includes weather maps for longer-term U.S. outlooks and a six-day World weather outlook which can be very useful for travelers.

First the NWS Short Range Forecast. The afternoon NWS text update can be found here but it is unlikely to have changed very much. The images in this article automatically update.

Short Range Forecast Discussion
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
Tue Apr 30 2024
Valid 12Z Tue Apr 30 2024 – 12Z Thu May 02 2024

…Severe Weather and Excessive Rainfall concerns for parts of the
Upper/Middle Mississippi Valley and Great Plains through mid-week…

…Critical Fire Weather potential over portions of the Southern High
Plains on Wednesday…

…Cool and snowy in the Northwest; warmer across the Central and Eastern
U.S….

A pair of low pressure systems will bring showers and thunderstorm
activity to parts of the Central and Eastern U.S. respectively today. The
Central U.S. system will progress quickly through the Plains and into the
Upper/Middle Mississippi Valley today/tonight. The Storm Prediction Center
issued an Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) of Severe Thunderstorms for parts of
the Middle Missouri Valley into the Central Plains for this
afternoon/evening where very large hail, severe wind gusts and a few
tornadoes are expected. Some storms may produce heavy rain with high
rates, which is why a Slight Risk (at least 15%) of Excessive Rainfall
leading to Flash Flooding is in effect for parts of southeastern Kansas
into northeastern Oklahoma. Another area of low pressure is forecast to
develop out of the Southern Plains, and generate another round of storms
across the Plains and Mississippi Valley on Wednesday. SPC issued another
Enhanced Risk of Severe Thunderstorms over much of central Kansas and
northern Oklahoma while we have a broader Slight Risk of Excessive
Rainfall extending from northeastern Texas up into eastern Nebraska and
much of Iowa. A few tornadoes, very large hail and damaging winds are
possible from any severe storms that occur.

Meanwhile, a slow moving mid-level low anchored over the Northwest will be
the reason why they experience below average temperatures over the next
few days. Embedded shortwave energy will support high elevation snow for
the Cascades and Northern Rockies, where snowfall accumulations will be in
the general range of 6-12 inches with isolated higher amounts possible by
Thursday morning. An amplifying ridge over the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast
will support above average temperatures across most of the eastern third
of the country over the next several days. Strong southerly flow into the
Plains beneath the right exit region of the upper trough will promote
warming across the region over the next few days. Lee cyclogenesis will
contribute to dry and windy conditions across portions of the Southwest
and Southern High Plains, which will support a Critical Risk of Fires on
Wednesday.

To get your local forecast plus active alerts and warnings click HERE and enter your city, state or zip code.

Learn about wave patterns HERE.

Then, looking at the world and of course, the U.S. shows here also. Today we are looking at precipitation.

Please click on “Read More” below to access the full Daily Report issued today.