Weather News (Drought, Dual Polarization, Winter Weather)

Beneficial rain amounts are affecting parts of northern and northwestern Texas. Doppler estimates of 4-8 inches are showing up in locations from near Wichita Falls (in the north) to Brownwood (in the south) or just to the west of the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Speaking of heavy rain, south Florida has been soaked during the past 48 hours. Here are some precipitation amounts through Saturday evening: In the Miami area...

LOCATION TOTAL

-------- -----

WEST KENDALL/TAMIAMI AIRPORT 9.22" (ASOS)

PRINCETON 8.62" (SFWMD)

HOMESTEAD GENERAL AIRPORT 7.23" (ASOS)

HOMESTEAD AIR FORCE BASE 5.80" (SFWMD)

MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 5.78" (ASOS)

HOLLYWOOD-NORTH PERRY AIRPORT 5.36" (ASOS)

SWEETWATER (FIU MAIN CAMPUS) 5.05" (NWS MIAMI)

LAKE LUCERNE (NEAR SUNLIFE STADIUM) 4.83" (SFWMD)

As you know, Texas has been in an exceptional drought for a long time. Could the heavy rains impacting parts of the Lone Star state indicate a pattern shift? At the very least, the current storm system will provide some relief..

Parts of east and south Florida have been very dry as well. The current rains there will provide immediate relief. Unfortunately, most of Georgia will miss out on the heavy rains as the hybrid tropical system moves northeast. Some southeastern Georgia counties could see rainfall amounts exceeding an inch, though.

Next, the eventual successor to the current doppler radar is making news this weekend. From the NWS office in Seattle WA, the Dual Polarization technology is being incorporated  as part of an upgrade process for their radars.

The Dual-Pol (as it's often referred) technology has been in the news before, citing claims that this will provide a better 'look' inside a severe thunderstorm, especially the supercellular types that produce tornadoes, even indicating tornado debris signatures. However, there are other benefits as well, as mentioned below:

What are the Potential Benefits of Dual-Pol?

Better estimation of total precipitation

Better estimation of the size distribution of hydrometeors

Improved ability to identify areas of heavy rainfall (flash flooding potential)

Improved detection and mitigation of non-weather echoes

Easier identification of the melting layer (helpful for identifying snow levels in higher terrain)

Ability to classify precipitation type

New severe thunderstorm signatures

More information from the Seattle NWS about Dual-Pol, click HERE.

Finally, for you snow lovers, including yours truly, here is your latest snow depth map. Signs of winter are looking good...click on map below to enlarge.

MS