Oklahoma Climatological Survey
 
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.

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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 
Freezing Rain
Meteogram
Reflectivity
Sleet
Sounding
 
Exercise 
Updated Version : Event Exercise
Self Study Version: Event Exercise

Archived Data 
Reference Material 
Winter Weather
 
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