By MARK HANOK
In last week’s weather
column we predicted a continuation
of the very dry
weather pattern.
That proved to be an understatement,
as so far in
February most places in
Otsego County have received
no more than .05’’ of
precipitation.
At our weather station
in Otego, we got only .03’’
since the beginning of the
month - almost unheard of
dryness for February. The
upside-down temperature
pattern during the first
week of February, was a
key indicator that extremely
dry conditions would
continue.
After the very cold
weather pattern during
January, with the jet
stream diving southeastward
from northern Canada,
now upper-level winds
are from a southwesterly
direction, bringing above
normal temperatures. Although
snowfall was above
normal during January,
precipitation was actually
below normal. February
will turn out much drier
than January, and temperatures
will average above
normal.
On Friday, an intense
storm will lift northward
through eastern Canada
and a colder, drier northwesterly
flow will take over.
With partly to mostly sunny
skies and a 20-30 MPH
northwest wind, highs will
be in the low 30’s, or just
about normal for mid-February.
On Saturday skies will
be mostly sunny with a dry
northwest flow at the surface
and aloft; highs from
30 to 35 degrees. A storm
system moving well to our
south could bring light
snow to the mid-Atlantic
states.
Sunday will feature
mostly sunny skies and
slightly above normal temperatures
and very dry air;
highs 33 to 38 degrees.
The extraordinarily dry
weather pattern will continue
on Monday and Tuesday
with partly to mostly
sunny skies and highs in
the mid-30’s.
Mark Hanok is an Otegobased
meteorologist.
