Mike's Weather Blog -- January 2006

January 31, 2006 - A Look At What To Expect In February

While February can be a wicked month in some parts of the country, it is usually pretty tame for Colorado. We still get chilly at night with below freezing temperatures nearly every night on average. You can relate February to September and October, meaning it is generally quiet. However, it is a month of transition between the seasons so we can occasionally get bouts of severe winter cold or soggy spring-like snowstorms. It is the 6th snowiest month of the year for Denver with about 6.3 inches of snow on average.

In Denver the average high climbs up to around 48 degrees during the month with overnight lows near 20 degrees. We see about 70% of the possible sunshine in February with just under a half-inch of precipitation.

February temperature extremes range from a high of 77 degrees recorded on 2-4-1890 to a low of 25 degrees below zero on 2-8-1936 and 2-1-1951. The warmest February on record was back in 1954 and the coldest was in 1899.

The year of 1934 brought the wettest February on record to the Mile High City with a little over 2 inches of moisture. The driest was in 1970 with just 0.01 inches recorded in the official Denver rain gauge. The snowiest February was in 1912 with 22.1 inches falling during the month. The years of 1970 and 1992 brought the least snowiest Februarys on record with just 0.3 inches each year.

Tomorrow we will take a look back at how January 2006 will go down in the record books.

Have a great day and thanks for reading the blog!

January 30, 2006 - It's Here, The New Desktop Alert From 7NEWS

If you haven't tried the Desktop Alert, check out this page so you can preview and download your copy today!

Desktop Alert is a free service from 7NEWS. It is a 7NEWS icon that will live in the icon tray of your desktop, and can be launched into a "slimline" mode that stays active on the lower corner of your screen. It will keep you updated with the current temperature and weather conditions, as well as news and weather alerts. You can launch it into a larger mode to read the current headlines on TheDENVERChannel, Mike's Blog, or to see the latest radar and severe weather.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us. We will be more than happy to help you get Desktop Alert onto your computer.

Talk about awesome, the radar page alone is well worth downloading this feature. It will give you on demand access to 10 different radar views all with just a click of your mouse. Radar views include each corner of Colorado, the region, and the nation.

Tomorrow is the last day of January, so we will take a look at the month ahead in Tuesday's blog entry.

Have a great day, thanks for making 7NEWS your choice for news, weather, and sports!

January 29, 2006 - High Winds Blowing Through Colorado Today

An area of low pressure to the south of Colorado and a high pressure to the north will put us in the "squeeze play" this morning and afternoon. In meteorology we call this a tight pressure gradient.

Expect sustained northwest winds in the 25 to 40 m.p.h. range today with gusts even higher. This will make for dangerous travel along east-west routes, especially in high-profile vehicles.

The gusty winds will drive wind chills well into the single digits and teens, and lower in the mountains, so bundle up if going outside!

Those flying into the area today will have a bumpy ride, and possibly even some minor delays as air traffic control may need to space the planes a bit further apart during the landing phase so pilots can safely account for the strong and gusty winds.

January 28, 2006 - What Is The Connection Between Watersheds And Weather

Many things affect a watershed, from human activities and choices made within the watershed (fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) to the weather.

In addition to the precipitation provided to a watershed by Mother Nature, other elements such as the wind can affect watersheds. Winds can carry pollutants and chemicals that mix with precipitation.

Sunlight and temperature also play a role.

Visit the Learning Center of Colorado's Water by clicking here to learn more.

January 27, 2006 - January Still On Track For Top 10 Warmest

With just a few days to go in the month, Denver is still on track to end in the top 10 warmest on record. Through yesterday, we are 8.8 degrees above normal, which would put us in 8th place.

We are still just a little over a quarter inch behind on normal precipitation in January.

January 26, 2006 - Record Highs Set Up And Down The High Plains Wednesday

It was a warm one along the Front Range of the Rockies and the adjacent plains on Wednesday.

Laramie, Wyoming tied a record high yesterday after the mercury climbed to 51 degrees. This was last accomplished in 1953.

In western Nebraska some records were also tied or broken. Alliance recorded a new record high of 63 degrees, breaking the old record of 62 that has stood since the Dust Bowl year of 1935. Chadron tied its record high of 64 degrees.

It was even warmer in western South Dakota, with Rapid City hitting 66 degrees setting a new record.

The records don't stop there, over a half dozen locations in eastern Montana set record highs, including Billings at 59 degrees.

In North Dakota, the town of Williston hit 51 degrees setting a new record high.

January 25, 2006 - Bitter Cold Air Continues To Build Over Alaska

Bitter cold air has gripped Siberia, Russia, and many high latitude locations over the past several days. In fact, even much of Alaska has been in the deep freeze. In Fairbanks, there have been only three days this month where the temperature reached above zero, and the highest was 6 degrees on the 8th. Over the past week temperatures have been in the 20s below for daytime highs and near 40 below at night. That trend is expected to continue for at least the next 5 days.

In Valdez not only has it been cold, but also snowy! They saw 34 inches of snow in just two days last week to set a few new daily snowfall records.

King Salmon, Alaska, set three new record lows in a row for the dates January 22-24.

January 22 it was -33 degrees

January 23 it was - 37 degrees

January 24 it was -36 degrees

So why do we look to Alaska, isn't it supposed to be cold up there this time of year? Well...yes but not this cold. The normal low this time of year in Fairbanks is about 20 below with a high near zero. Temperatures are running some 15 to 30 degrees below normal in many locations.

When an airmass gets that rooted over an area for a period of time, we start to watch for signs of cold air pockets breaking off and getting caught up in the jet stream. Sometimes when this happens, the lower 48 states can see anything from an arctic outbreak to a shift toward more unsettled weather.

With this era of computer technology, we have long range forecast models that can calculate forecasts as many as 372 hours into the future, or 16 days. Something important to note: These models calculate forecast information based on a series of derived equations. These equations are fed with the currently observed weather data. Any data errors or slight changes in the short-term can have a huge impact on the long-term output.

Still, it helps you get a picture at what the road ahead may hold in store.

Current 372 hour models are keeping the cold air building over Alaska, but in time, breaking off and sliding down into the lower 48. In fact, for the first full week of February (beginning on the 5th) some models have the forecasted highs in Denver barely making it out of the teens. They also paint a snowstorm for the Front Range with up to a half inch of liquid equivalent water.

Of course this is all subject to change and could or could not happen. But in terms of the global circulation and what the future may hold, it is very important for a meteorologist to not only watch the weather forecast here in Colorado, but to keep an eye on what is happening upstream (in meteorology upstream means to the west, southwest, or northwest) so you know what could be coming your way one to two weeks down the road.

If long-range models have a good handle on the situation and this airmass building over Alaska does begin to slide south, we could be looking at a fairly chilly stretch of weather leading up to Valentine's Day for much of the lower 48 states compared to how January has treated us.

Taking a look back in the history books, there have been arctic blasts to hit Colorado during the month of February. A few of the Denver area highlights follow...

January 30 - February 7, 1985 --- Overnight lows fell below zero for 9 consecutive days in Denver

January 31 - February 12, 1899 --- Overnight lows fell below zero on all these days except February 9th

February 1 - 6, 1989 --- One of the century's worst doses of winter weather gripped Colorado with snow nearly statewide. A 46-car pile up happened in the middle of Denver along I-25 on the 4th when the high was only 9 degrees below zero. Temperatures were the coldest recorded in 26 years with Denver below zero for 69 hours during the outbreak.

February 5 - 11, 1978 --- A seven day stretch of dense fog developed over the Front Range with light snow and/or freezing drizzle each day. Heavy rime ice up to 5 inches thick crippled the power grid over much of eastern Colorado.

Now these are a few of the more extreme winter blasts to hit in early February. It doesn't mean the long-range forecast models are expecting something similar, but it does show you that even in February, old man winter can give Colorado a whallop!

Stay with Colorado's most trusted team of meteorologists in the 24/7 Weather Center at 7NEWS. We will keep an eye on not only the current and short-term weather, but the long-range outlooks too!

Thanks for reading today's weather blog, have a great afternoon!

January 24, 2006 - Phoenix On Track To Tie Longest Dry Streak

Do you think it has been exceptionally dry here in eastern and southern Colorado lately? Guess when Phoenix last recorded rainfall?

Believe it or not, the last time measurable rain was recorded in Phoenix was October 18, 2005. In this case, measurable rain is defined as a trace of precipitation or more.

The longest streak on record without even a trace of moisture dates to 1999. Beginning on September 23 of that year, Phoenix went 101 days without recorded rain. In order for them to tie that record, the rain gauge at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport needs to remain "trace free" through Friday of this week. (January 27th)

Phoenix has a chance of rain tonight into the day on Wednesday, so we'll just have to wait and see if the streak continues or finally breaks.

If you ignore a trace and just count the number of days without measurable rain (0.01 inches or more), the record dry streak for Phoenix is 160 days, which began on December 30, 1971.

Just last year at this time Phoenix was in a wet spell. January and February accounted for nearly 70% of the total precipitation that fell in 2005, with 43% of the year's precip falling in the month of February. 2005 brought 7.04 inches of rain to the city, which was still 1.25 inches below normal.

January 23, 2006 - Santa Ana's Kicking Up In Southern California

What are the Santa Ana's? If you are from Southern Califronia, you know these winds all too well.

Named after Southern California's Santa Ana Canyon, these winds are often a warm, dry, and blustery wind that blows out of the deserts.

They most often develop when there is cold air in the deserts during the cool season (fall and winter) due to high pressure over the Great Basin. This causes sinking air in the deserts that is forced downslope toward the coast. Compressional warming as the wind descends dries out the air and vegetation and increases the fire danger. Add in a low pressure over the desert southwest (which creates an offshore flow for the area) and the situtation is just magnified.

These winds bring warm and dry weather to Southern California along with high fire danger.

Wind gusts in the 60 to 70 m.p.h. range have been common over the past 24 hours, and will continue today. This is much like the downslope wind events we see here along the Front Range, only the setup and wind direction is different.

January 22, 2006 - Dry And Seasonally Cool For The Bronco Game

We'll call it seasonally cool for kickoff time at the Bronco's Game today, with a high only climbing through the 30s. Normally this time of year we should be in the lower 40s. Despite some morning clouds it will be dry during the game.

With all the energy and excitement that will fill Invesco Field at Mile High, it should be plenty warm. It still might be a good idea to dress in layers and bring along that extra blanket and/or jacket. Winds will be light during the game.

How about the weather back in Pittsburgh? It will be just as cool there but more of a bone chilling "damp" cold due to an increase of clouds and moisture. Some rain and snow showers will be possible in western Pennsylvania before the day is over.

Go Broncos!

January 21, 2006 - Bitter Cold Air Building Over Alaska

Bitter cold air is building over Alaska after a fairly mild winter thus far. On Friday, the high in Fairbanks was just 33 degrees below zero after a morning low of 42 degrees below. The normal high is about 1 below and the normal low is 20 below.

Much of the state is well below zero from near Anchorage north to the Arctic Ocean. Some of the coldest readings came from Fort Yukon and Kaltag where overnight lows dropped into the 50s below zero.

Snow advisories and heavy snow watches are posted for portions of south-central Alaska, including Anchorage. The next 48 hours may bring 12 to 24 inches of snow to the region.

The usually mild capital of Juneau (by Alaska standards) is even chilly right now with a snow advisory in effect. Temperatures will hover in the mid 20s to lower 30s through the weekend with snow in the forecast. Some areas around Juneau will see up to a half foot.

Why is this important? When cold air builds over Alaska and persists, we watch for the potential that pieces of arctic air can break away and slide down the Rockies into Colorado.

Highs around Fairbanks are expected to stay in the 15 to 25 below range with lows near 40 below zero throughout the entire coming week!

January 20, 2006 - Area Snow Totals From Thursday's Storm

Yesterday's snow really varied from north to south, with as little as just a half inch in Fort Collins to over a foot south of Pueblo. Here is a summary of the totals as of 10 a.m. today.

Wolf Creek Pass - 18.0 inches

Rye - 17.0 inches

Near San Isabel - 15.0 inches

Cuchara - 14.0 inches

Beulah - 12.3 inches

Near Westcliffe - 11.5 inches

Breckenridge - 11.0 inches

La Veta - 10.0 inches

SW Colorado Springs - 9.0 inches

Evergreen - 7.5 inches

Lakewood - 6.5 inches

Wheat Ridge - 5.4 inches

Estes Park and Pueblo West - 4.6 inches

La Junta and Manzanola - 4.0 inches

Denver Int'l Airport - 2.7 inches

Fowler - 2.0 inches

Longmont - 1.6 inches

The snows fell in areas that were in dire need of some moisture, which was excellent news!

Meanwhile in the mountains, some epic snows continue to fall on the ski resorts. Just take a look at some of these stats...

Aspen/Snowmass has seen more than 200 inches of snow since October 1 (that is 17 feet!!!). More than 50 inches has fall this month alone and 27 inches during the last week!

The Steamboat Ski Area has seen 2 feet of snow in the last 4 days, and over 5 feet of snow in the first 20 days of January 2006! For the season they have recorded 22 feet of snow.

Wolf Creek Ski Area has picked up some decent snows of late with nearly 2 feet in the last week and over 100 inches for the season.

Breckenridge has seen over 250 inches of snow this season with over 5 feet in the month of January alone.

Vail has picked up 4 feet of snow so far this month.

Beaver Creek has picked up over 15 feet of snow since November 1 on the top of the mountain.

Winter Park has had a great season with over 18 feet of snow on the top of the mountain!

January 19, 2006 - More Snow Mountains, Maybe Some In Denver Too

The mountains are seeing more snow today as a storm system crosses the state. Denver and the I-25 Urban Corridor stands a chance at a few inches later today and tonight, and possible even a bit more if the trough can dig far enough south as it moves through.

As dry as the forecasts have been since before Christmas, any potential for moisture is welcome, no matter what the amount.

Stay with 7NEWS today and theDENVERchannel.com for all the latest information on the forecast. We have all the tools you need to stay ahead of the weather.

January 18, 2006 - Seattle Didn't Set Rainy Record, But Came Close

The latest streak of rainy weather in Seattle didn't set a new record, but came awefully close!!

The past record of 33 consecutive days with rainfall dates back to 1953. This year the streak lasted 29 days.

Back during the streak of 1953 the Seattle observation station picked up 13.92 inches of rain, and this year they measured 13.96 inches of rain during the 29 day rainy streak.

As impressive as that sounds, an even more gloomy record dates back to the late 1990s. Between November 1, 1998 and February 28, 1999, the city saw 90 out of 120 days with measurable rainfall.

More rain is in the forecast this week as a new storm system moves into the Pacific Northwest.

January 17, 2006 - Warmer Today, Unsettled By Week's End

We'll warm things up today with mostly sunny skies east and partly cloudy skies west. Another storm system will approach by the week's end with a chance of precipitation statewide.

For now, check out Colorado's Water here on TheDENVERChannel.com! This is our new project to teach you everything you want to know about Colorado's Water.

Today is Benjamin Franklin's birthday, who offered many ideas and inventions in the field of meteorology. He is sometimes called America's First Meteorologist.

January 16, 2006 - On This Date In Weather History

Taking a look back at Denver's weather history, it was this date in 1930 when the city was in the midst of a long cold spell. Temperatures plunged below zero each night between the 14th and 21st.

In 1962 another cold spell gripped the Mile High City from the 15th through the 23rd. Low temperatures each night fell below zero.

In 1967 a major windstorm hit the area with gusts up to 84 m.p.h. downtown and 125 m.p.h. at NCAR in Boulder. It was described as the worst single windstorm in Boulder's history in terms of damage, which topped a half million dollars.

There have been a few snow storms in the area on this date, as recently as 2001. Four to twelve inches of snow fell around the city, heaviest west and south of town. It resulted in a 30 car accident along I-25 in Douglas County that injured 11 and killed 1.

January 15, 2006 - Weather Pattern Becomes More Active For Colorado

A shift in the upper level wind pattern will allow a few areas of low pressure to move along the jet stream and across Colorado this week. The difference from past weeks is they will travel further south, and that will allow more of southern and eastern Colorado to potentially get in on the action.

The first wave will arrive tonight into Monday with colder air and a chance for snow. We will then warm back up and await the next wave around Thursday of this week.

Be sure to stay with 7NEWS for all the latest weather information from the meteorologists of the 24/7 Weather Center. Have a great week ahead!

January 14, 2006 - Your Broncos Game Day Forecast

How will the weather be for the game tonight? What's up with all this cloud cover after the beautiful day we had on Friday?

We've got a winter storm brewing to the west, and out ahead of it the mid and high level moisture is on the increase, evident by the cloud cover moving into the state.

For the game it will be dry and quite mild for a mid-January night, with temperatures in the 40s during most of the game. Winds will be light.

The real changes come Sunday as colder air moves in on north winds and precipitation develops. Rain should turn to snow by 6 p.m. Sunday night in Denver.

January 13, 2006 - Saturday May Bring Another New Record High

Could it be, another new record high on Saturday in Denver? The current record is 65 degrees and that might be in jeopardy. Downsloping winds out ahead of an approaching storm system will allow temperatures along the Front Range to warm well into the 50s and 60s, with some 70s possible on the eastern plains!

By the evening, temperatures will be falling through the 40s for the Bronco Game. It will be dry and a little windy.

January 12, 2006 - How Does This January Compare To The Past

If you feel like this month is in the running to be a record setter, you are right! But please note...a lot can change in the remaining 19 days.

Think back to December 2005 with that very cold beginning and subzero weather. After the first 10 days we were almost 13 degrees below normal, but the month finished only a tenth of a degree lower than the 30 year average thanks to a warm end.

After the first 10 days this month, we are just over 12 degrees above normal and in first place for the warmst January on record in Denver. We are also in first place for the driest on record. However, as was the case in December, the last 10 days of the month could turn this trend around and we could wind up with an average January once all is said and done.

Stay tuned!

For now, enjoy the cooler weather today. We'll warm up again for the weekend and the Broncos game, and then cool down with a potential snowfall coming to the Front Range this Sunday into Monday.

January 11, 2006 - Looking For Something To Do, Check Out Upcoming Water Events

The Upcoming Events section of Colorado's Water is full of interesting things you can do to learn more about the environment and related aspects of Colorado.

Want to go on a search for White-tailed Ptarmigan in their natural habitat? Maybe accompany the Fort Collins Audubon on their monthy bird survey? These and many more events are listed on the website for you.

Just click on Colorado's Water in the blue navigation menu on the left of this page. Look for the Upcoming Events section on the left side of the Colorado's Water page.

January 10, 2006 - Colorado's Water Made Local Debut On Monday

Colorado's Water, Headwaters of the West, made its debut Monday night during a Premier Party held at 7NEWS. This collaboration between 7NEWS, the Colorado Foundation for Water Education, Denver Water, Aurora Water, City of Boulder, and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District will provide a source to all citizens for learning more about water, watersheds, weather, and the environment.

Through a dynamic new webpage found right here on TheDENVERChannel.com (look for the Colorado's Water button in the blue navigation menu on the left of this page, or CLICK HERE) you can access real-time data such as stream flow and snowfall around the area, environmental news such as local cleanups and coming events, and much more. In addition we will have on-air features related to Colorado's Water. You can also do other neat things with this website, such as finding the watershed in which you live. You can also fly through your watershed for a "birds-eye" view from above. Currently only the South Platte watershed is available to fly through, but the additional watersheds of Colorado will be available soon.

There are so many great features to check out you may have to make a few trips to our website. The learning center offers an easy way to learn more about watersheds. This information is great for school-age kids right up to parents and grandparents.

Once you have had a chance to check out Colorado's Water, be sure and tell us what you think. There is a feedback button in the upper-right corner of the Colorado's Water page.

Have a great day and enjoy our new educational resource, Colorado's Water, Headwaters of the West!

January 9, 2006 - Fast Moving Disturbance Drops Snow On Wildfires

A very small but potent upper-level disturbance passed over Colorado Sunday night generating 3 to 6 inches of snow over the southeast plains. The heaviest snows actually fell in and near the Mauricio Canyon burn area, with 5.5 inches measured near Aguilar.

Other totals include...

4 inches at Lamar

6 inches at Cuchara

3 inches at Rosita

3 inches at Pueblo

5 inches at Climax

4 inches at Manzanola

5.8 inches at Rye

3 inches at Fowler

Any precipitation during a wildfire is greatly appreciated, but snow is of more benefit than rain because the precipitation is colder and has a better chance of making it to the ground. Rain can evaporate before reaching the surface. In either situation, the humidity increases and that is of benefit to firefighters.

As of today, fires are burning from Colorado to Arkansas, with the most fires burning in flame weary Oklahoma.

During the first 8 days of 2006, we've seen 767 fires burn a total of 484,202 acres. In 2005, the first 8 days brought 268 fires that burned a total of 626 acres.

January 8, 2006 - Saturday Set More Record Highs Around The Region

It was another very warm day with record highs set all across eastern and western Colorado, some locations for the second day in a row! Many locations on the eastern plains and along I-25 climbed well into the 60s and 70s. It was almost downright hot in Springfield, Colorado...they reached 80 degrees on Saturday! It was also warm in the mountains with Aspen hitting 50 degrees Saturday afternoon. If you wanted some more January-like weather, you had to head to the Gunnison area where cold air stayed locked in the valley. Saturday's high was only 10 degrees above zero.

Here are some of the new record highs set on Saturday from around the region...

Gateway, CO - 56 degrees

Pueblo, CO - 73 degrees

Colorado Springs, CO - 67 degrees

Alamosa, CO - 58 degrees

Denver, CO - 69 degrees (TIE)

Casper, WY - 53 degrees

Cheyenne, WY - 38 degrees overnight was a new record warm minimum

Buffalo, WY - 60 degrees

Greybull, WY - 46 degrees

Scottsbluff and Alliance, NE - 67 degrees

North Platte, NE - 64 degrees (TIE)

Russell and Salina, KS - 72 degrees

Dodge City, KS - 77 degrees

Yuma, CO - 70 degrees

So where is the cold air? The jet stream has it locked up in Canada and Alaska. In central and northern Alaska, temperatures are well below zero, from Fairbanks to Barrow. The 10-day forecast models do show a few lobes of cold air trying to break away and slide down the spine of the Rockies by early next week.

The 24/7 Weather Center will keep a close eye on this for you, meanwhile, have a fantastic week ahead and be sure to watch 7NEWS for all the latest news, weather, and sports.

January 7, 2006 - Red Flag Warning In Southeast Colorado Today

Gusty winds, very warm temperatures, extremely dry air and tender dry vegetation are all combining to create very high fire danger today over all of southeast Colorado.

a.m. until 6 p.m. today for southern El Paso, Pueblo, Baca, Bent, Huerfano, Las Animas, Crowley, Otero, Prowers, and Kiowa counties.

If you will be in this part of the state today, use extreme caution with any outdoor fires, grilling, and disposal of cigarettes. If a fire starts it will grow explosively due to the conditions at hand.

January 6, 2006, 4:30 PM - Several Record Highs Broken Or Tied Today

Record highs set today include Denver, which tied the previous high of 66 degrees. Colorado Springs set a new record high at 65 degrees and Pueblo set a record with 74 degrees.

January 6, 2006 - Record Highs Possible Today

A large ridge of high pressure in the upper atmosphere will park itself over Colorado through Saturday, allowing for temperatures near record levels in some places.

In Denver and many places on the eastern plains, highs today will climb well into the 60s. The record high for Denver is 66 degrees and for Saturday is 69 degrees.

The downside to this situation is fire danger will be very high, especially tomorrow, on the eastern plains and in the foothills where it has been so dry this winter. The warm air, low humidities, and tender dry vegetation will make for a serious fire threat.

A cool down will arrive Sunday into Monday with the passage of a cold front.

January 5, 2006 - Looking Back At December

Now that the numbers are in from December 2005, let's take a look at how we ended as compared to a normal December.

It's hard to believe that the month ended just about on target for temperature, at -0.1 degrees from the normal monthly temperature 30.3 degrees. At one point during the month we were over 12 degrees below normal, but the warm end to the month cancelled out the very cold beginning in the Denver Metro Area.

Temperatures ranged from a low of -13 degrees on the 7th (which was a new record low) to a high of 69 degrees on Christmas Day (which was a new record high).

Other records include a record low daytime maximum on the 7th, when thermometers only climbed to 3 degrees above zero. On the 22nd our overnight low of 41 degrees was good enough for a new record high overnight minimum temperature. We also had a new record high to end the year with 66 degrees on the 31st.

It was a dry month with just 0.35 inches in the rain gauge. We saw 4.1 inches of snow in Denver. In a normal year we would see about 0.63 inches of precip and about 8.7 inches of snow during the month of December.

January 4, 2006 - Fears Of Fire Remain High In Texas, Oklahoma

Extreme fire conditions continue for much of Texas and Oklahoma with tender dry vegetation, dry air, and gusty winds.

On Tuesday the 3rd, Wichita Falls saw a record high of 85 degrees. Upper 70s to mid 80s were common across northern Texas and southern Oklahoma.

Many locations in this part of the country finished 2005 anywhere between 15 and 30 inches behind normal on precipitation. Some selected cities follow...

Tulsa, OK (-14.20 inches)

Dallas, TX (-15.76 inches)

Muskogee, OK (-16.30 inches)

Arlington, TX (-19.46 inches)

McAlester, OK (-20.78 inches)

Denton, TX (-22.22 inches)

Many places are the driest they have been since 1980, and some locations since 1963! Parts of southeast Oklahoma saw the second driest year in over 80 years.

January 3, 2006 - Tropical Storm Zeta Maintains Strength

The 27th tropical system of the year formed on Friday afternoon, December 30, 2005. It is located southwest of the Azores.

I know you might be saying, "But Mike, didn't the tropical season end on November 30?"

Indeed it did, but any additional activity that happens during the calendar year continues to get a name where the sequence left off. We will no longer be in the Greek Alphabet should any new storms develop now that it is 2006.

There has been one other late season tropical storm on record, and that is Tropical Storm Alice, which formed on December 30, 1954.

Currently, Zeta is located 1400 miles east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands, moving west-southwest at 5 MPH. Winds are sustained at 65 MPH.

Have a great week and thanks for reading the blog. Stay with 7NEWS for all the latest in news, weather, and sports.