According to the CPC, the 10-day period from March 31 - April 9 is expected to be below normal for temperatures and above normal for precipitation in Kentucky.
Islip on Long Island in New York has already recorded 31.9" of snowfall this month, its snowiest March ever and its 2nd snowiest month on record behind the 34.4" that fell in January 2011. The climate record goes back to the mid 1960's.
While we're in New York, the Tug Hill region, notorious for lake-effect snow amounts is at it again. If you look at the blog, the Lake Effect Snow Machine is dominated by several locations in the Tug Hill area, including Hooker's 264.8" seasonal total.
Despite the impressive amount of Nor'easters in a short period of time, much of New England has not recorded too many all-time seasonal totals. Rowe, MA has received over 122" for the snow season going back to July 1, an all-time record, but their reporting time only goes back a few years.
Farther south, in Glenmoore PA, 21" has been recorded this month, making it the snowiest March since records were kept beginning in 1960.
Accumulated snowfall over time generally produces snow depth. As long as temperatures remain cold enough to prevent minimal melting, additional snowfall can produce greater snow depths. Looking at some state records, Colorado recorded its greatest snow depth of 251" in March. Tennessee recorded 63" at Mt. Leconte again during March. Snowshoe in West Virginia recorded 62" during March. Now, these were all mountain locations.
Time to rant. If you read my blog long enough, you already know I will get in one of these moods.
Do you know what the state record for snow depth in Kentucky is? It's 31", set in 1978 at LaGrange, a town just northeast of the Heat Island Capital of the United States here in Louisville. No mountains, just a few knobs.
The other day, I was using some data from the Jackson NWS office and saw a whopping 79" snow depth near Booneville KY. What?! How is this not a record? It was from the year 2000. Now, I am going to post a partial copy of this climate data chart from February 2000 for Booneville.
Climatological Data for BOONEVILLE 12SW, KY - February 2000
|
2000-02-23
|
58 | 38 | 48 | 9.7 | 17 | 0 | 0 | M | M |
|
2000-02-24
|
72 | 38 | 55 | 17 | 10 | 0 | 0 | M | M |
| 2000-02-25 | 73 | 42 | 58 | 19 | 7 | 0 | 0 | M | M |
| 2000-02-26 | 78 | 42 | 60 | 21 | 5 | 0 | 0 | M | M |
| 2000-02-27 | 79 | 46 | 63 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 0.2 | M | M |
| 2000-02-28 | M | M | M | M | M | M | 0.1 | 27 | 79 |
| 2000-02-29 | 59 | 24 | 42 | 1.9 | 23 | 0 | 0 | M | M |
Now, I know the chart may be a little cramped. The 'M' just stands for missing data. But, I want you to study the line for February 28, preferably the last two columns that read '27' and '79'. Those 2 columns represent 'New Snow' and 'Snow Depth' respectively. In other words, it snowed 27" that day, and we had a snow depth of 79" by the end of that day.
Something is not right about this. First, it would be a new 24-hour snowfall record that would replace the 26" that fell at Simers in March of 1942. And the 79" snow depth should replace the 31" snow depth at LaGrange from 1978.
Something else seems a bit quirky about the 79" snow depth. Look at the high temperatures for the previous 4 days. All of them in the 70's. One would question how much snow depth was there prior to the 28th. All we see is an 'M'. I do see, however, a possible explanation for the erroneous data.
Take a look at the line above the 28th, yes February 27. Look at the high temperature for the day of 79 degrees the next column over. Somehow, someway, is it possible that data input went into the wrong columns like the New Snow and Snow Depth columns below?
Based on data from surrounding regions, there were other locations that reported similar high temperatures for the dates listed, but for the 28th, no snowfall was recorded. Look at nearby Jackson in Breathitt county...
|
2000-02-23
|
70 | 51 | 61 | 20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
2000-02-24
|
71 | 48 | 60 | 18 | 5 | 0 | 0.1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000-02-25 | 76 | 58 | 67 | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000-02-26 | 78 | 56 | 67 | 25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000-02-27 | 64 | 42 | 53 | 11 | 12 | 0 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000-02-28 | 57 | 35 | 46 | 3.7 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2000-02-29 | 69 | 38 | 54 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Even Beattyville in nearby Lee county recorded no snowfall.
Speaking of Beattyville, I found a similar issue. You should have a right to the snow depth record as well. In October 2001, out of the wild blue on the 9th, you recorded a 39" snow depth WITHOUT receiving any new snow for the entire month. In addition, you had a high temperature of 0 degrees and a low temperature of 67 degrees??? Sigh.
However, I do believe the 31" snow depth record for Kentucky can be broken, if it already has not been done. The mountains of Eastern Kentucky would be an excellent place. Did you know that the Kentucky Mesonet has instruments for measuring wind speed, temperature, precipitation, and solar energy atop Black Mountain at an elevation of just over 4,000 feet? Would it not seem reasonable to place a snow sensor of some sort like ones used in other mountainous locations for recording snowfall and depth?
Something to think about. But, being a user of climate data, one would expect the data to be verified for accuracy before putting it to use. The NWS Jackson has additional issues which they are aware of when it comes to climate data. They have assured me that some sort of software problem will be resolved soon. Well, it has not happened yet, and it has been a couple of months. Come on guys, let's get it done. Rant over.
Make it a great week everyone. It might be a little wet, but at least it will be a bit milder.
MS
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