Oklahoma Weather Discussion - February/March 2013

[venture]

Keep in mind there is a a very big difference with short term drought and long term drought. It also varies on which index you use.

Either way, we have a long long way to go. The short term relief is great, but we need to multiply it by 20.

[bandnerd]

Keep in mind there is a a very big difference with short term drought and long term drought. It also varies on which index you use.

Either way, we have a long long way to go. The short term relief is great, but we need to multiply it by 20.

Well, hey, at least Georgia's getting some relief, hopefully. Haven't they been in a drought for quite a few years?

[venture]

Well, hey, at least Georgia's getting some relief, hopefully. Haven't they been in a drought for quite a few years?

Yeah many years. So they need it just the same. They do benefit though by having better sources of fresh water too with all the rivers out there. There is a reason why the Gov't screwed the Native Americans over and stuck them in Oklahoma. :-P LOL

[Plutonic Panda]

Keep in mind there is a a very big difference with short term drought and long term drought. It also varies on which index you use.

TBH, I didn't really think about that.

[venture]

TBH, I didn't really think about that.

It's okay. Not many really do. You'll see a lot of people being like "why can't I water, it just rained?!?!?" and get all grumpy. Honestly, the state really just needs to do an all out watering ban for the year until we can get the water supply recovered. People don't need to be worrying about green grass when it could get to the point where water pressure falls to critical levels in Summer. Norman for instance is working to get more water out from T-Bird by buying rights that Midwest City (or Del City) don't use. This is after the oversight board already cut each city's allotment by 10% going forward. Norman's back up emergency supply then comes from OKC, which I don't see them being too willing to sell water when they are having problems of their own.

It'll come down to...do you want green grass or enough water pressure for fire crews (let alone take a shower)? It may very well be that type of decision. For me...I'll take the year off mowing if I have to.

NWS Norman put up this winter review today (meteorological winter ends today)...

[Plutonic Panda]

It's okay. Not many really do. You'll see a lot of people being like "why can't I water, it just rained?!?!?" and get all grumpy. Honestly, the state really just needs to do an all out watering ban for the year until we can get the water supply recovered. People don't need to be worrying about green grass when it could get to the point where water pressure falls to critical levels in Summer. Norman for instance is working to get more water out from T-Bird by buying rights that Midwest City (or Del City) don't use. This is after the oversight board already cut each city's allotment by 10% going forward. Norman's back up emergency supply then comes from OKC, which I don't see them being too willing to sell water when they are having problems of their own.

This!!! I also think the city needs to start forcing new construction to include water saving technology such as low flow faucets and toilets that use less water. In my house, I just installed a water tank under my sink in the bathrooms that catch water from the sink and use the excess water and pumps it to the toilet. It filters it of course, but I think that will save quite a bit of water. Imagine if every house did that if every restaurant, school, office complex did that how much water would be saved. The filter only has to be changed once a week, depending on how much soap is used from washing hands and how often you brush your teeth, ect. Very nice.

[s00nr1]

Look familiar?

[s00nr1]

Total QPF for the March 9-10 storm:

[venture]

For some of the weather geeks here. The FAA Terminal Doppler Radar at Will Rogers will be one of the sites getting an upgrade in April (12th) to product products every minute. Regular NEXRAD typically is 3-7 minutes in its sweep depending on the product. The TDWR at OKC spits out Level 3 data and if you have GRLevel3 you'll be able to view it.

Details: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/notification/tin13-3tdwr.htm

The radar has a range radius around 50 miles out from the site, so it covers pretty much the entire metro areas for the most part. For severe weather season I'm hoping to have a new server up and running that will broadcast this date on my website.

[Dustin]

How will it compare to OU-Prime?

[venture]

How will it compare to OU-Prime?

It really doesn't. The radar is already there, this is just an upgrade on the sweep times. The TDWR radars are just there mainly for windshear detection, but also provide a bit higher resolution image over a short distance.

[venture]

The March 9-10th system still in the models. Showing a pretty heavy rainfall still as well with very little snow (mainly on the back edge in far NW OK). We do cool down behind it but the precip moves off very fast. The 00Z GFS pegs precip to start the evening on the 8th and pick up through the 9th and end in central OK the morning of the 10th, but linger through the day in SE OK.

[OKCisOK4me]

...I just installed a water tank under my sink in the bathrooms that catch water from the sink and use the excess water and pumps it to the toilet...

This is probably the coolest thing I've ever seen you type. That's some mad skillz, yo!

[Plutonic Panda]

Thanx man!!! There are kits available too I've found out. I'm sure it doesn't really make a difference since I'm just one person, but if just half of OKC did this, it would really amount to something.

[kelroy55]

Thanx man!!! There are kits available too I've found out. I'm sure it doesn't really make a difference since I'm just one person, but if just half of OKC did this, it would really amount to something.

Cool idea !!!! I've always thought they needed treated waste water for watering lawns.

[venture]

This is what you call a WTF moment in weather models. I think we can say with a 40% likelihood it's going to rain between 9th and 12th. Right now it continues to look like it'll be all rain. Which if this QPF forecast is anywhere near accurate (which I highly...highly...did I say highly...doubt), that is a good thing LOL...

[s00nr1]

Maybe the tide's-a-turnin' Venture.

[venture]

Maybe the tide's-a-turnin' Venture.

Oh there will be a tide alright if that verifies. Around Lindsey and McGee. :-P

[RadicalModerate]

Region 11 Forecast (Texas-Oklahoma) MAR. 2013
1-7 Rain to snow north, showers south; warm, then cold.

I think The Old Farmer's Almanac (by Robert B. Thomas) nailed it.
(or maybe not) (i haven't yet figured out how to use the tide tables =)

[OKCisOK4me]

What is QPF? Quality Precipitation Forecast? And is that map for liquid precip? Heck, that would be a roof crusher up around Woodward if all that fell as snow!

[venture]

What is QPF? Quality Precipitation Forecast? And is that map for liquid precip? Heck, that would be a roof crusher up around Woodward if all that fell as snow!

Close. Quantitative Precip Forecast.

[OKCisOK4me]

Close. Quantitative Precip Forecast.

That's probably more accurate since they'd most likely get crucified for having Q stand for Quality if their models were wrong more often than not.

[boscorama]

Well, well, well. Isn't this Tornado Awareness Month or something, or just the beginning of official twister season? Before long, with any luck, I'll be sweeping up the dead June bugs, leaves, dog hair, spider webs, and dirt in the hidey hole, in preparation for shake-rattle and-roll-time.

[Bunty]

Well, well, well. Isn't this Tornado Awareness Month or something, or just the beginning of official twister season? Before long, with any luck, I'll be sweeping up the dead June bugs, leaves, dog hair, spider webs, and dirt in the hidey hole, in preparation for shake-rattle and-roll-time.

Storm spotting training seminars, both on and offline in Oklahoma this month. 2013 Storm Spotter Training - NWS Norman

[venture]

Hefner is now showing at 83% full (of its conservation pool) where T-Bird at 64%. One to note...Canton Lake is now at 13% after OKC drained it.