OK-FIRST Case Study: Winter Weather Events of January 2005

The Winter Weather Events of January 2005

Event Summary
During the first week of January 2005, several upper-level troughs swept past Oklahoma, exciting precipitation on the 3rd and 4th-5th. The results on the ground were remarkably different. Some areas received heavy rains and flash flooding, while others received freezing precipitation and snow. The role of surface conditions and atmospheric thicknesses were very important in determining the final results on the ground.

Objectives

To understand why winter weather forecasting is often more challenging and inaccurate.
To use forecast discussions to assess the wide range of possibilities and large uncertainty in winter weather forecasts.
To understand the value and limitations of upper-air observations and model output to identify potential precipitation type.
To understand how to use WSR-88D data to distinguish precipitation type and accumulation in winter weather scenarios.
To use Mesonet surface and sub-surface observations to assess freezing rain potential.
To be aware that multiple weather hazards can occur simultaneously in winter weather scenarios.

Vocabulary

Exercise

Updated Version : Event Exercise

Self Study Version: Event Exercise

Archived Data

Reference Material

Winter Weather

OK-FIRST Project, Oklahoma Climatological Survey, 100 East Boyd, Suite 1210, Norman, OK 73019
Copyright © 1996-2004 Oklahoma Climatological Survey. All Rights Reserved.
Send comments or questions concerning OK-FIRST to okfirst@mesonet.org.