N.O.A.A. predicted that we would have high cloud cover today, but no precipitation, and they did get that right. Early this evening we did have a light flurry that was not predicted, but with the clouds and high relative humidity it should not have been a surprise. The clouds have thickened and lowered all day, making this first day of winter look like winter. The temperature has been warming up all day, although, once again not as quickly as N.O.A.A. expected it to.
The N.W.S. forecasts some icy precipitation overnight and temperatures that will remain in the twenties. Their estimate of the cloud cover certainly indicates that we may see some precipitation before the night is over (76%/88%/100%/100%). With the temperature forecast to be in the mid-twenties and the wind coming from the south southeast, I would expect any precipitation to fall as either sleet or freezing rain. Personally I would prefer the sleet since it is already frozen before it hits the ground. The freezing rain will coat everything with ice, making travel very difficult. The NEXRAD composite regional radar does see some echoes in far western Pennsylvania, so it will be quite a while before they get here. The Weather Underground model forecast maps also indicate that it will be late tomorrow afternoon before we see any "real" precipitation. They are still calling for this to be a rain event, but with the temperatures where they are I am not so sure.
My Weather Stick continues to frown at the 85% relative humidity. Two of my electronic instruments forecast unsettled conditions, while the remote weather station forecasts fair skies. All three of them call for the barometric pressure to fall. For tonight I expect to see any precipitation as light and very scattered. I suspect that we will see gradual degradation of the conditions until the system begins to move through, and then we may see precipitation (unknown variety) for 12 to 18 hours. It has taken quite a while to get this storm in here, and it will take quite a while to get rid of it.
High Temperature (°F): 27.1
Current Temperature (°F): 27.1
Relative Humidity: 85%
Dew Point (°F): 23.1
Heat Index (°F): N/A
Barometric Pressure (in Hg): 30.49
Wind Direction: South Southeast
Wind Speed (mph): 4.6
Wind-Chill (°F): 23.3
Precipitation (Type): Flurries
Amount (Inches): 0.00
Cloud Cover (PM): Overcast
Cloud Type: Stratus
Weather Stick: Down
Comparative data for today.
Temperature:12°F/-2.3°F//24°F/9.3°F//29°F/20.8°F//30°F/23.5°F
Relative Humidity: 84%/80%//62%/81%//53%/79%//55%/80%
The N.W.S. did not do any better today than they did overnight with the temperature. Once again Mother Nature did not change the temperature to fit the forecast at any of the forecast points. They did get one of the forecast relative humidity points correct at 07:00 hours. This was a terrible outing in the world of prognostication.
Forecast data for the overnight.
Temperature: 25°F/24°F/23°F/23°F.
Relative Humidity: 74%/88%/88%/81%

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