soaring record temps across the western US, guess what kids, the Rex Block is Back.  2 incoming systems have bounced already, and looks like the next will have a hard time getting over the high pressure too.

NOAA 19 northbound 79E at 08 Feb 2016 21:59:51 GMT on 137.10MHz, MSA enhancement, Normal projection, Channel A: 2 (near infrared), Channel B: 4 (thermal infrared)

the wrap around results in some serious vortex activity on the east coast, here can see the curve over washington state over B.C., dives back down into the midwest, and spills out over the atlantic, creating an intense low pressure spiral.  That should have been rain for us, but the human heat is already summer levels.

even the big ships don’t scale well https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2016/02/08/4000-passenger-cruise-ship-inexplicably-sails-into-atlantic-mega-storm/

my satellite reception is plagued by noisy power lines nearby.  but every so often, the pass times when the grow-lights up the road are not on, and the cloud tops are cold enough, that the color enhancement mode works.  expect tornadoes when this upper level cold trough makes it over the ridges.

notice how the signal was clear enough only for 20-45 latitude.   also of note, the system cloud line extends from well south into Baja, all the way north to Alaska.

perfectly clear night last night, made for brrrrr and easy view of new snow on the IR channel.  all the white you see on west coast and over to the rockies is snow on mountains, not clouds. (well, some clouds of course, but mostly snow).  something haven’t seen in a long time, and hopefully more coming with the front off to the west..

NOAA 18 southbound 70E at 26 Dec 2015 13:57:08 GMT on 137.9125MHz, contrast enhancement, Normal projection, Channel A: 3/3B (mid infrared), Channel B: 4 (thermal infrared)

so, my weather satellite pics where getting worse since the rain came back.  pulled the antenna down, cleaned all the connectors, like cleaning the lense on a camera i suppose.  the corrosion becomes a semi-conductor, and can rectify RF, attenuate the signal, basically make the connection a semi-connection.  doesn’t take much loss to not hear at all when listening for radio 870km away….

and now that the connection is clean, can see the coming cold front, Thanks For The Rain!!!

NOAA 19 northbound 79E at 17 Dec 2015 21:55:52 GMT on 137.10MHz, MSA enhancement, Normal projection, Channel A: 2 (near infrared), Channel B: 4 (thermal infrared)

equinox is still a few days away, but this almost 1″ of rain sure felt like a winter cold front.  hoping it’s a “good start” …..

finally, a little bit of wet.  so far maybe 1/8″, ground is actually “wet”, no puddles yet, but close.  yesterday’s pass saw it coming….

embedded shortwave brought drizzle this afternoon.  hoping that will dampen the lightning that will follow when this moves onshore.  i think i’ll bring my mudboots to that thing in the dessert…..

today’s northern california weather under the influence of hurricane Dolores.