Equinox vs. Equilux: a primer
We've experienced #FakeSpring (maybe a couple times), "Fool's Spring," "Spring of Deception," and even meteorological spring over the past month or so. But as of 10:33am Sunday, REAL spring arrives! Astronomical spring, a.k.a. the vernal equinox, marks the time when the sun passes directly over the equator heading north, resulting in longer days and more direct sunlight in the northern hemisphere.
But did you know that the equinox is NOT when daylight/darkness is equal over the course of a day? The equilux, the actual day when the sun is above the horizon for the closest to 12 hours, varies by latitude. In Memphis, that actually happened this past Wednesday, when the sun was above the horizon for 11 hours, 59 minutes, and 51 seconds. The sun set Wednesday night at 6:08pm and rose Thursday morning at 6:08am!
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| The equilux is now behind us, with increasing daylight each day, while the equinox occurs Sunday morning. |
This weekend: beautiful spring weather
So now that we have equinox and equilux straightened out, today is officially the last day of winter and we're starting with conditions that feel like it - grey sky, chilly breeze, temperatures in the 40s. But that will change pretty quickly as Mother Nature takes a look at her astronomical calendar and realizes there is some catching up to do! Sunshine breaks out by mid-day with temperatures responding to the March sun and warming to 63°, just shy of the average high for today. For the first day of spring, we can't ask for much better - sunshine, a cool but about average morning low in the low 40s, and high temperatures that warm to 73° with a light southwest wind. I think we'll take it!
Early week spring storm
Monday will continue the above average temperatures with highs in the lower 70s, but signs of a spring-like storm system will be brewing - from the high clouds streaming overhead to the increase in southeasterly breezes. As that storm system brews over the southern Plains, our initial rain chances arrive Monday night with mild temperatures in the mid 50s.
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| The NWS surface weather map valid Tuesday morning. A pair of cold fronts are to our west, while southerly wind ahead of the low pressure center brings rain and scattered thunderstorms to the Mid-South. (NWS/WPC) |
Tuesday is the one day this week that we need to be "weather aware." As low pressure moves northeast from the southern Plains towards the Mid-Mississippi River Valley, a surge of moisture on strong south wind will overspread the Lower Mississippi Valley and Deep South. That is shown below by "precipitable water" values, which measure total atmospheric moisture. Values near 1.5" (very high for this time of year) will reach as far north as the metro, indicating plenty of water in the air to rain out.
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| The overnight European model valid mid-day Tuesday shows low pressure moving by to our northwest, a cold front draped through east TX moving east, and abundant moisture (color shading) surging north from the Gulf of Mexico. Values just shy of 1.50" in Memphis area near the 99th percentile climatologically, or about the maximum we would typically observe in mid-March. (Pivotal Weather, annotated by Erik Proseus) |
We'll also see instability increase modestly on those strong southerly winds. Though the most favorable concentration of moisture, instability, and wind shear for the production of strong to severe storms will be to our south in MS and AL, we're likely to see a line of storms as well, though perhaps not quite with the "oomph" of those to our south. We'll still need to be watching for the possibility of scattered damaging wind gusts though, especially with the cold front in the afternoon hours.
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| The NWS Storm Prediction Center highlights areas just to our south for the likelihood of severe storms on Tuesday. For our area, thunderstorms are expected, but won't be as intense. (NWS/SPC) |
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| Rainfall totals through Thursday morning, as projected by the NWS, show a swath of 2-4" across the Mid-South. Most falls on Tuesday. (NWS/WPC) |
Overall, our main threat Tuesday is going to be very heavy rain during the daytime that could result in minor to perhaps moderate flooding of low-lying and drainage areas, as well as smaller streams and creeks. Rainfall totals from this system (Monday night through Tuesday night) will likely range from 2-4" with locally higher amounts. In addition, a few storms could produce strong wind gusts, in addition to dangerous lightning. I expect we will be in a level 1 (Marginal) risk of severe weather on Tuesday and would not be surprised if at least our north MS counties were in a Slight Risk, or level 2.
Mid-week: cool with more clouds than sun
Behind the system Tuesday, a trough of upper level low pressure will linger for a couple of days, with an upper level low pressure center moving nearby on Thursday. This pattern favors cooler than average temperatures, more clouds than sunshine, and possibly a few light rain showers. Look for highs in the upper 50s to lower 60s these days with lows in the mid 40s Thursday morning. Not the beautiful spring weather we'd like, but spring is not all sunshine and unicorns as we know! It's a transition season.
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| The pressure pattern from Monday evening through Friday evening at 500mb (about 18,000') from the European model shows the presence of abnormally low pressure (blues to purple) affecting our area through the end of the week. This will result in lingering clouds and cooler than average temperatures. |
Next weekend: sunshine returns!
By the end of the week, upper level high pressure builds back over the area with moderating temperatures and sunshine to end the week and through next weekend. High temperatures will be back into the 60s to near 70, though cool mornings linger. Hey, if you have to pick your days for sunshine, might as well be the weekend!
Erik Proseus
MWN Meteorologist----
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