White Christmas prospects
The math argues against it; the atmosphere may disagree.
White Christmas prospects
At 7 a.m. on Dec. 25, 2009, the official snow depth in Philadelphia was 7 inches, the leftovers from the colossal storm of the previous weekend.
Should measurable snow be observed at 7 a.m. this Dec. 25, it would mark the first time since 1966 that Philadelphia had consecutive White Christmases.
In any given year, the smart money would be on bare ground. On average, Philadelphians can expect a Christmas-morning snow cover about once every seven years.
If we include those occasions on which measureable snow fell on Dec. 25 sometime after 7 a.m., Philadelphia, the chances of seeing Christmas snow on the ground increase to about 1 in 5.
This year, however, it is a genuine possibility. Those whimsical computer models have backed off the weekend snowstorm for now, but don't be at all surprised if they bring it back later today or tomorrow.
The government's 6-to-10-day outlook, valid through Christmas Eve, continues a call for below-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation.
That certainly doesn't mean it's going to snow in that period, but if it does, it may well stick around for awhile.
Rod Phillips at Stormfax was kind enough to pass along a tidy summary of Philadelphia Christmas snows since 1958.
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The Tonner's going to stock up on Genny Cream Ale in case one of these storms turns into a whiteout and they close the booze barn. Better safe than sorry the Tonner always says.
Yeah, that global warming conspiracy is something else. How can there be any truth to climate change scientific measurements when my weekend forecast is for freezing temperatures?
Boo, the world is flat in your world too; I imagine you just looking out your window and swearing there is no curvature of the earth.
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fortunateson: Except for one thing: these No sayers don't ever look outside their windows for evidence of anything, they tune in to the ubiquitous din of Right Wing Talk Radio and take their cues from Rush, Sarah et al...- fortunateson: Except for one thing: these No sayers don't ever look outside their windows for evidence of anything, they tune in to the ubiquitous din of Right Wing Talk Radio and take their cues from Rush, Sarah et al...
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- regardless of if you think global warming is real or not, the fact is we have to move away from fossil fuels and onto renewable energy. Hence, making us less dependent on the bug-eaters across the pond. But real talk, BooCocky, you do need to read some science journals and stop listening to fox news.— fens219
- Right, the conversatives, do not get it, don't understand what climate changes mean, just because it's cold outside. It scares and I truly amazes me that they think global warming is political? I don't get that at all. It makes no sense to me. But as one pointed it out they listen to Fox news and the brillant Sarah Palin. Climate change, the environment and protecting the earth has nothing to do with politics, get with it.— karbase8
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- In response to fortunateson...Do you really expect the doubters of global warming to actually study or investigate the facts. They will not understand what is happening until the water is up to their nose and even then they will belittle science.— mindstorms
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- Didn't you guys read the Penn State bogus global warming emails. I didn't either but Rush did (or someone he works with did) and thats good enough for me. BTW I'll be celebrating the first day of winter along with my pagan, libertarian friends. No gifts given or received.— taxmancomith
- lets visit this topic 3-4 days before christmas. i think it's a tad early to be posting stories like this.— Zero
Tony Wood has been writing about the atmosphere for The Inquirer for 26 years. E-mail Tony here. And read all his columns here.
