Weather Outside Your Window

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Quadrantid meteor shower to sparkle in early January sky

By Brian Lada, AccuWeather meteorologist and staff writer

Updated Jan. 1, 2020 11:55 AM

The new year will kick off with a major meteor shower, and all signs are pointing toward a dazzling display in the sky on Friday night as long as Mother Nature cooperates.

The Quadrantids often go overlooked during the frigid nights in early January, but people that brave the cold this year may get rewarded as the ingredients are coming together for a good showing over North America.

January’s lone meteor shower will peak on Friday night into the pre-dawn hours of Saturday morning and, under ideal conditions, can spark over 100 meteors per hour in the dark winter sky.

Unlike most meteor showers that have a broad peak over several days, the Quadrantids have a sharp peak that lasts just a few hours. In 2020, the International Meteor Organization (IMO) is projecting that the Quadrantids will peak around 3 a.m. EST Saturday, which is an ideal time for North American observers as it will be dark across the continent.

The best time to watch a meteor shower is when the radiant point is high in the sky, and that will be the case for the Quadrantids when they peak early Saturday morning. Shooting stars will originate from near the constellation Ursa Major, more commonly known as the Big Dipper. However, shooting stars will be visible in all areas of the sky.

Finally, the moon will be below the horizon during the second half of the night, greatly reducing the amount of natural light pollution.

With these three ingredients coming together almost perfectly, folks across North America may be able to count anywhere from 60 to 200 meteors per hour before daybreak on Saturday morning, according to the IMO.

The only obstacle that onlookers will face is cloudy weather.

Unfortunately for stargazers in the eastern U.S., a large storm system could potentially disrupt viewing conditions.

The storm is expected to produce rain over areas from New England to the Appalachians, the Ohio Valley and the lower Great Lakes region to end this week, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.

"The rain is likely to become fragmented as it moves into the Northeast; some locations will get soaked and others will barely receive a couple of showers," he said.

In the West, a series of unrelenting storms spilling into the region will also promote cloudy and unsettled conditions, thus reducing chances to catch a glimpse of the shower.

For those in South America, even if clear weather prevails on Friday night skywatchers across the continent will not be able to see the Quadrantids as the shower is only visible in the Northern Hemisphere.

With all signs pointing to 2020 being a good year for the Quadrantids, stargazers will need to do their part to be in the right place to see the flurry of meteors early Saturday morning.

Meteors associated with the Quadrantids can be faint, so being in a dark area is crucial. Light pollution from nearby cities or highways can wash out these dimmer meteors, greatly reducing the number of shooting stars able to be seen.

People should also pack their patience when heading out for the meteor shower.

“You will want to dedicate at least 45 minutes to an hour to get the most out of your meteor shower experience,” AccuWeather Astronomy Blogger Dave Samuhel said. “Your eyes need a solid half hour to adjust. Then give yourself another half hour to take in the meteors.”

After the Quadrantids have passed, stargazers will need to wait until the spring for the next opportunity to see a meteor shower. The meteor shower drought will come to an end on the night of April 22 with the peak of the Lyrids.

1st large storm of 2020 has wintry tricks up its sleeve for Midwest, Northeast

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

Updated Jan. 1, 2020 3:16 PM

As the new year gets underway, a robust storm will deliver rain to areas from New England to the Appalachians, the Ohio Valley and the lower Great Lakes region to end this week.

But, forecasters say the first large storm of 2020 will eventually evolve into more than a rainstorm.

By the time the weekend begins, the second phase of the storm will turn wintry and is forecast to bring accumulating snow to portions of the Mississippi and Ohio valleys as well as the Appalachians this weekend.

As the warmer and first part of the storm evolves and moves along, rain over the south-central United States on Thursday morning will overspread the Ohio Valley Thursday afternoon and then much of the Northeast during Thursday night and Friday.

The rain is likely to become fragmented as it moves into the Northeast; some locations will get soaked and others will barely receive a couple of showers.

"Those with plans in New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Boston and Pittsburgh from Friday to Saturday should be prepared for wet weather," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said.

At the onset of the rain, cold ground conditions can produce freezing rain and black ice in portions of central and northern New England and central and northeastern New York state. A repeat of the major ice storm that hit these same areas early this week is not anticipated.

"It is the second part of the storm that is likely to trend colder and allow a transition to snow or a rain and snow mix from west to east," Anderson said.

"The storm is now expected to move more slowly, last longer and cause an area of snow to occur father east but over a much larger area than planned from earlier this week," Anderson added.

Cities such as Kansas City, Missouri; Davenport, Iowa; and Milwaukee should avoid accumulating snow from the storm, while Chicago will be on the northwestern edge.

Areas most likely to receive a 1- to 3-inch snowfall with locally higher amounts will extend from southern Illinois to northern Ohio and southern Michigan during Friday night.

Snow is not likely to stop over the Midwest.

Portions of West Virginia, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware New Jersey, New York and New England are all likely to have some snowflakes before the storm moves away this weekend.

Since the lower levels of the atmosphere will be warm to start off, much of the snow may melt as it falls. Even so, it is possible that portions of the Appalachians will receive enough snow from Saturday to Sunday to make roads slippery with a few inches possible on non-paved surfaces over the higher elevations.

Areas from New York to Boston, as well as Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., could also have a period of wet snow at the tail end of the storm from Saturday night to Sunday. Whether or not the snow creates slippery spots will depend on the duration of that snow. Where the snow lasts a few minutes, no accumulation would occur. Where it snows for several hours could be a different story.

Those with flexible travel plans may want to adjust their departure. Friday night to Saturday may be the better of the two weekend days in the Northeast, while Sunday may be the better choice in the Midwest in terms of avoiding icy and snow-covered roads.

Portions of major highways that could have slippery and dangerous conditions include I-64, I-70, I-77, I-79, I-80, I-81, I-84, I-87, I-88 I-90 and I-91.

The cold pocket of air that catches up to the storm is not expected to last long. Milder air with temperatures well above freezing will surge northeastward spanning Monday and Tuesday.

Download the free AccuWeather app to check the forecast in your area. Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.

Worst flooding in years leaves Jakarta underwater on New Year's Day

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

Updated Jan. 1, 2020 11:28 AM

A period of heavy rain and thunderstorms in Indonesia's capital city turned deadly and caused significant travel disruptions.

The downpours began Tuesday evening and continued into Wednesday morning inundating large swaths of the city and surrounding areas under feet of water.

At least nine deaths have been reported as of Wednesday evening local time, according to the Associated Press.

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An Indonesia rescue team evacuates residents from their flooded house at Jatibening on the outskirt of Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. Severe flooding hit Indonesia's capital just after residents celebrating New Year's Eve, forcing a closure of an airport and thousands of inhabitants to flee their flooded homes.(AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

More than 19,000 people have been forced from their homes due to the flooding and several parts of the city remained without power as of Wednesday night.

The severe flooding caused widespread travel disruptions to road and rail services in and around the city.

Flight delays and cancellations were also reported at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport. The airport was forced to close for a time during the worst of the heavy rain.

The flooding has been reported as the worst to hit the city since 2013, according to Bloomberg.

In a statement to reporters, Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan said around 120,000 people have been deployed to help with water rescues and evacuations.

Indonesia rescue team evacuate residents from their flooded house at Jatibening on the outskirt of Jakarta, Indonesia, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. Severe flooding hit Indonesia's capital just after residents celebrated New Year's Eve, forcing a closure of an airport and thousands of inhabitants to flee their flooded homes.(AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Widespread rainfall amounts of 150 mm (6 inches) were reported throughout the city along with local amounts up to 250 mm (10 inches). The hills outside the city recorded up to 370 mm (14.57 inches).

Most of this rain fell within a six-hour period Tuesday night.

The areas that were hit the hardest remained under 600-900 mm (2-3 feet) of water late Wednesday. Power outages remained in force to limit the risk for electrocutions in these communities.

Additional downpours are possible across the region into Friday which may renew or spark additional flooding problems.

The wet season typically lasts into early April, with January and February being the wettest months of the year in Jakarta. The average monthly rainfall in both months is near 300 mm (12 inches).

Risk of severe weather, flooding rainfall to ramp up in southern US

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist

Updated Jan. 1, 2020 3:05 PM

The first major storm of the new year will threaten the Southern states with heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms that could spawn tornadoes.

AccuWeather meteorologists say the risk of flooding and damaging thunderstorms will be greatest on Thursday as some people return to work and school following the New Year's holiday.

"A surge of very mild, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico will clash with a strengthening cold front in southern portions of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi to produce potentially severe thunderstorms on Thursday," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Carl Babinski said.

Residents from New Orleans to Jackson, Mississippi, and Mobile, Alabama, are urged to keep tabs on the weather situation throughout the day and make sure they know where to seek shelter should a thunderstorm threaten.

"These storms are expected to bring with them flooding downpours, damaging winds and the potential for isolated tornadoes as well," AccuWeather Meteorologist Max Gawryla said.

Straight-line wind gusts to an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 70 mph can snap trees limbs, down power lines and leave some communities without power for a time.

The severe threat may be subdued should clouds and steady rain move into the areas at risk faster than currently anticipated.

Regardless of the severity of the storms, heavy rain can lead to flash flooding from Louisiana to Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. Portions of the Tennessee Valley are just recovering from flooding this past weekend.

"With forecasted rain amounts of over 4 inches locally, flash flooding is a major concern," Gawryla said.

Downpours will lead to ponding of water and poor visibility along stretches of interstates 10, 20, 40, 55, 59 and 65. Motorists should make sure to keep a close eye out for high water on the roadways, especially in low-lying and poor drainage areas.

As the storm system's reach expands into the Midwest and Northeast on Friday, rain and thunderstorms will continue to march eastward across the South.

The risk of severe weather is expected to be less across the Southeast at the end of the week, but a few gusty thunderstorms cannot be ruled out, especially along the upper Gulf Coast. A brief spin-up tornado or waterspout can occur.

Soaking downpours are likely to be the main concern for travelers across the region. Rain and a low cloud ceiling can make for a miserable day for airline passengers in Atlanta on Friday.

By Saturday morning, the heaviest rain is likely to reach the southern Atlantic Seaboard.

Gusty winds will usher in much colder air in the wake of the storm. The air may turn cold quickly enough for the tail end of the storm to end as some snow in portions of Kentucky, Tennessee and the southern Appalachians.

Download the free AccuWeather app to check the forecast in your area. Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.

30 car pileup in Saltillo, Mexico amid visibility-limiting dense fog

By Chaffin Mitchell, AccuWeather staff writer

Updated Jan. 1, 2020 7:44 AM

Foggy conditions may have triggered a pileup involving more than 30 cars in Saltillo, Mexico on Tuesday.

El Tiempo News reports two tractor-trailers were involved in the crash on the highway. No injuries have been reported at this time.

According to AccuWeather Meteorologist Jake Sodja, Saltillo had been very foggy all afternoon, with visibility of a 1/4 mile or less being reported since midday in Saltillo.

"It looks like “upslope fog”, where warm moist air is being brought from the Gulf of Mexico into the region ahead of an approaching storm system in northwestern Mexico," Sodja said.

Saltillo sits about a mile above sea level Sodja said, so as that moist air rises and cools, it turns into a very dense fog.

Fog can be very hazardous drivers, especially at high speeds, since drivers can't see what's in front of them until it's too late to brake and stop.

"Dense fog has also been known to cause numerous pile-ups in the central US and can pose the same hazard anywhere dense fog forms," Sodja said.

Typically Saltillo is a pretty arid location in the wintertime, typically receiving around an inch of rain total from December through February according to Sodja.

"Fog is not unheard of because of it's proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and exposure to colder storm systems that can occasionally dive into the region from the north during the winter, pulling in Gulf moisture which then condenses in the cooler temperatures and higher elevation," Sodja said.

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

This Date in Weather History for January 1,2020

Weather History
For Wednesday,January 1 (New Year's Day),2020

1864 - Snow, gales and severe cold hit the Midwest. It was the most bitter cold New Year's day of record with afternoon highs of 16 below zero at Chicago IL and 25 below at Minneapolis MN. (David Ludlum)

1934 - Heavy rain which began on December 30th led to flooding in the Los Angeles Basin area of California. Flooding claimed the lives of at least 45 persons. Walls of water and debris up to ten feet high were noted in some canyon areas. Rainfall totals ranged up to 16.29 inches at Azusa, with 8.26 inches reported in Downtown Los Angeles. (The Weather Channel)

1949 - A six day blizzard began over the Northern Rockies and the Great Plains. The storm produced the most adverse weather conditions in the history of the west. (David Ludlum)

1979 - The temperature at Maybell CO plunged to 60 degrees below zero to tie the state record set back in 1951 at Taylor Park. (The Weather Channel)

1987 - A winter storm brought rain and snow and high winds to the Southern and Middle Atlantic Coast Region. The storm, which occurred in a period of unusually high astronomical tides, produced a tide of 9.4 feet at Myrtle Beach SC (their highest since Hurricane Hazel in 1954) which caused a total of 25 million dollars damage in South Carolina. (National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1988 - Arctic cold gripped the north central U.S. The morning low of 31 degrees below zero at Alamosa CO was a record for the date. Squalls in the Great Lakes Region produced 17 inches of snow at Elmira NY. (National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1989 - Those who woke up New Year's morning unable to see much farther than the end of their nose had a good excuse, at least in the central U.S., as dense fog prevailed from Texas to Wisconsin. (National Weather Summary)

1990 - The new year and decade began on a rather peaceful note. Snow was primarily confined to the Great Lakes Region, the Upper Ohio Valley, and the Sierra Nevada Range of California. Subzero temperature readings were confined to Minnesota and North Dakota. (National Weather Summary)

1994 - Strong winds along the eastern slopes of the Central Rockies gusted to 70 mph at Arlington WY, and gusted to 80 mph near Estes Park CO. Heavy snow in the northeast mountains of Oregon produced 14 inches at Tollgate. A series of storms the first three days of the year produced 20 inches of snow at Lowman, in the west central mountains of Idaho. (National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)

1997 - Heavy precipitation fell from December 26, 1996 to January 3, 1997 in much of the west. In the California Sierra Nevadas the Truckee River reached its highest level on record. Lake Tahoe reached its highest level since 1917. Sacramento was spared the worst of the flooding by a system of levees, although many nearby towns were not so fortunate. Numerous levee breaches and breaks occurred across the state. Approximately 16,000 residences were damaged or destroyed. State officials estimated at least $1.6 billion in damages to private and public property.

1999 - A major blizzard struck portions of the Midwest on January 1-3, 1999. The storm produced 22 inches of snow in Chicago and was rated by the NWS as the second worst blizzard of the 20th century, ranking behind the blizzard in January 1967. Estimates of losses and recovery costs are between $0.3 and $0.4 billion with 73 dead as a result of the blizzard. (NCDC)