Friday, January 2, 2015
WeatherWhys for January 2,2015 from accuweather.com
The Earth reaches its closest position to the sun, known as perihelion,
this weekend. However, the Northern Hemisphere is not basking in warmth
but is instead in the midst of winter. The reason has to do with the
tilt of the Earth's axis. During the winter, the Northern Hemisphere is
tilted away from the sun with all the sun's rays more focused on the
Southern Hemisphere.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
PHOTOS: New Year's Celebrations 2015 from Around the World
Associated Press
Published: January 1,2015
Published: January 1,2015
Millions of revelers converged on the
beaches of Brazil, the streets of Seoul, South Korea, and New York's
Times Square to say goodbye to 2014.
In Dubai, fireworks surrounded the world's tallest building, the 2,722-foot Burj Khalifa, which flashed with colored lights and images of the country's leaders as organizers went for a Guinness World Record for the largest LED-illuminated facade.
(MORE: Stormy Weather Returns In the New Year)
Sydney's famed Opera House provided a stunning backdrop for a trademark glittery celebration replete with a tropical-style fireworks display featuring gold and silver palm tree pyrotechnic effects.
And in New York, revelers eager to claim spots to ring in 2015 in Times Square arrived hours early, enduring freezing temperatures and a scarcity of restrooms before the glittering ball drop at midnight at the Crossroads of the World.
In Dubai, fireworks surrounded the world's tallest building, the 2,722-foot Burj Khalifa, which flashed with colored lights and images of the country's leaders as organizers went for a Guinness World Record for the largest LED-illuminated facade.
(MORE: Stormy Weather Returns In the New Year)
Sydney's famed Opera House provided a stunning backdrop for a trademark glittery celebration replete with a tropical-style fireworks display featuring gold and silver palm tree pyrotechnic effects.
And in New York, revelers eager to claim spots to ring in 2015 in Times Square arrived hours early, enduring freezing temperatures and a scarcity of restrooms before the glittering ball drop at midnight at the Crossroads of the World.
1st of 9 Bodies from AirAsia Flight 8501 Crash Identified
Associated Press
Published: January 1,2015
Published: January 1,2015
A passenger aboard AirAsia Flight 8501
became the first victim of the crash to be returned to her family
Thursday, one of many painful reunions to come, as search crews
struggled against wind and heavy rain to find more than 150 people still
missing.
Hayati Lutfiah Hamid's identity was confirmed by fingerprints and other means, said Col. Budiyono of East Java's Disaster Victim Identification Unit.
Her body, in a dark casket topped with flowers, was handed over to family members during a brief ceremony at a police hospital in Surabaya, the Indonesian city where the plane took off. A relative cried as she placed both hands against the polished wood.
The coffin was then taken to a village and lowered into a muddy grave, following Muslim obligations requiring bodies to be buried quickly. An imam said a simple prayer as about 150 people gathered in the drizzling rain, and red flowers were sprinkled over the mound of wet dirt topped by a small white tombstone.
Hayati Lutfiah Hamid's identity was confirmed by fingerprints and other means, said Col. Budiyono of East Java's Disaster Victim Identification Unit.
Her body, in a dark casket topped with flowers, was handed over to family members during a brief ceremony at a police hospital in Surabaya, the Indonesian city where the plane took off. A relative cried as she placed both hands against the polished wood.
The coffin was then taken to a village and lowered into a muddy grave, following Muslim obligations requiring bodies to be buried quickly. An imam said a simple prayer as about 150 people gathered in the drizzling rain, and red flowers were sprinkled over the mound of wet dirt topped by a small white tombstone.
The
Airbus A320 crashed into the Java Sea on Sunday with 162 people on
board. Nine bodies have been recovered so far, including two on
Thursday. Remains are being sent initially to Pangkalan Bun, the closest
town on Borneo island, before being transported to Surabaya,
Indonesia's second-largest city, where Flight 8501 had taken off.
In the thick of Indonesia's rainy season, the weather has frequently prevented helicopters and divers from operating while strong sea currents have kept debris moving.
Singapore's navy sent an unmanned underwater vehicle capable of surveying the seabed to try to pinpoint the wreckage and the all-important "black boxes" — flight data and cockpit voice recorders. More than 50 ships, mostly from Indonesia, were scouring the area with high-tech detection equipment. Aircraft with metal detectors also were deployed.
(MORE: More Trouble for AirAsia Zest)
We are "focusing on finding the body of the plane," Indonesia air force spokesman Rear Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto told reporters. "There was something like a dark shadow once seen from a plane, but it cannot yet be proven as wreckage."
Sonar images have identified what appeared to be large parts of the plane.
"It's possible the bodies are in the fuselage," said Vice Air Marshal Sunarbowo Sandi, search and rescue coordinator in Pangkalan Bun. "So it's a race now against time and weather."
The longer the search takes, the more corpses will decompose and debris scatter.
In the thick of Indonesia's rainy season, the weather has frequently prevented helicopters and divers from operating while strong sea currents have kept debris moving.
Singapore's navy sent an unmanned underwater vehicle capable of surveying the seabed to try to pinpoint the wreckage and the all-important "black boxes" — flight data and cockpit voice recorders. More than 50 ships, mostly from Indonesia, were scouring the area with high-tech detection equipment. Aircraft with metal detectors also were deployed.
(MORE: More Trouble for AirAsia Zest)
We are "focusing on finding the body of the plane," Indonesia air force spokesman Rear Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto told reporters. "There was something like a dark shadow once seen from a plane, but it cannot yet be proven as wreckage."
Sonar images have identified what appeared to be large parts of the plane.
"It's possible the bodies are in the fuselage," said Vice Air Marshal Sunarbowo Sandi, search and rescue coordinator in Pangkalan Bun. "So it's a race now against time and weather."
The longer the search takes, the more corpses will decompose and debris scatter.
Aviation
expert Geoffrey Thomas in Australia said there's a good chance the
plane hit the water largely intact, and that many passengers remain
inside it.
He added that bodies recovered so far would have come out with a breach in the fuselage. "But most passengers still should have had their seat belts on, particularly as the plane was going into weather. The captain would have still had the seat belt sign on."
It is unclear what brought the plane down about halfway into its two-hour flight from Surabaya to Singapore. The jet's last communication indicated the pilots were worried about bad weather. They sought permission to climb above threatening clouds but were denied because of heavy air traffic. Four minutes later, the airliner disappeared from the radar without issuing a distress signal.
He added that bodies recovered so far would have come out with a breach in the fuselage. "But most passengers still should have had their seat belts on, particularly as the plane was going into weather. The captain would have still had the seat belt sign on."
It is unclear what brought the plane down about halfway into its two-hour flight from Surabaya to Singapore. The jet's last communication indicated the pilots were worried about bad weather. They sought permission to climb above threatening clouds but were denied because of heavy air traffic. Four minutes later, the airliner disappeared from the radar without issuing a distress signal.
The
black boxes hold data that will help investigators determine the cause
of the crash but have yet to be recovered. Items found so far include a
life jacket, an emergency exit door, an inflatable slide, children's
shoes, a blue suitcase and backpacks filled with food.
Relatives have given blood for DNA tests and submitted photos of their loved ones, along with identifying information such as tattoos or birthmarks that could help make the process easier.
The long wait, with its starts and stops, has been frustrating for Sugiarti. Her 40-year-old sister, Susiyah, was a nanny traveling to Singapore for a vacation with her employers and their 2-year-old daughter.
"I hope that they can find her body soon. I feel sorry for my sister because it has already been five days," she told reporters at a crisis center set up at a Surabaya police station. "I am trying very hard to be patient."
Nearly all the passengers were Indonesian, and many were Christians of Chinese descent. The country is predominantly Muslim, but sizeable pockets of people of other faiths are found throughout the sprawling archipelago.
MORE: Missing AirAsia Flight 8501
Relatives have given blood for DNA tests and submitted photos of their loved ones, along with identifying information such as tattoos or birthmarks that could help make the process easier.
The long wait, with its starts and stops, has been frustrating for Sugiarti. Her 40-year-old sister, Susiyah, was a nanny traveling to Singapore for a vacation with her employers and their 2-year-old daughter.
"I hope that they can find her body soon. I feel sorry for my sister because it has already been five days," she told reporters at a crisis center set up at a Surabaya police station. "I am trying very hard to be patient."
Nearly all the passengers were Indonesian, and many were Christians of Chinese descent. The country is predominantly Muslim, but sizeable pockets of people of other faiths are found throughout the sprawling archipelago.
MORE: Missing AirAsia Flight 8501
Weather Underground National Forecast for Thursday,January 1,2015
Weather Underground Forecast for Thursday,January 1,2015
High pressure will keep temperatures below normal across the southern Plains on Friday, while a low pressure system will slide across the Southwest.
An area of low pressure will slowly weaken as it drifts eastward over the Southwest and the southern Rockies. Snow elevations will drop to roughly 3,000 feet across the Four Corners, as light to moderate snow showers will be possible across the region. Winter storm warnings are in place across the southern Wasatch and the southern Rockies. In addition, winter weather advisories have been issued for the southern high Plains.
Meanwhile, an arctic high pressure system will moderate as it shifts southeastward over Texas. Temperatures will remain 20 to 30 degrees below normal over the southern Plains and the lower Mississippi Valley. An onshore flow from the Gulf of Mexico will generate rain and thunderstorms over eastern Texas and the lower Mississippi Valley. There will also be a chance of light to moderate rain over the middle Mississippi Valley, the Tennessee Valley, the Deep South and the eastern Gulf Coast.
To the north, a cold front will sink south southeastward over the upper Midwest and the Great Lakes. Moderate to heavy snow showers will be possible from northeast North Dakota to New England. The heaviest snow showers are forecast to develop downwind of Lake Ontario. Lake effect snow warnings are in place over northwest New York in anticipation of heavy snow.
High pressure will keep temperatures below normal across the southern Plains on Friday, while a low pressure system will slide across the Southwest.
An area of low pressure will slowly weaken as it drifts eastward over the Southwest and the southern Rockies. Snow elevations will drop to roughly 3,000 feet across the Four Corners, as light to moderate snow showers will be possible across the region. Winter storm warnings are in place across the southern Wasatch and the southern Rockies. In addition, winter weather advisories have been issued for the southern high Plains.
Meanwhile, an arctic high pressure system will moderate as it shifts southeastward over Texas. Temperatures will remain 20 to 30 degrees below normal over the southern Plains and the lower Mississippi Valley. An onshore flow from the Gulf of Mexico will generate rain and thunderstorms over eastern Texas and the lower Mississippi Valley. There will also be a chance of light to moderate rain over the middle Mississippi Valley, the Tennessee Valley, the Deep South and the eastern Gulf Coast.
To the north, a cold front will sink south southeastward over the upper Midwest and the Great Lakes. Moderate to heavy snow showers will be possible from northeast North Dakota to New England. The heaviest snow showers are forecast to develop downwind of Lake Ontario. Lake effect snow warnings are in place over northwest New York in anticipation of heavy snow.
This Date in Weather History for January 1,2015 from weatherforyou.com
Weather History
For Thursday,January 1,2015
For Thursday,January 1,2015
1864
- Snow, gales and severe cold hit the Midwest. It was the most bitter
cold New Year's day of record with afternoon highs of 16 below zero at
Chicago IL and 25 below at Minneapolis MN. (David Ludlum)
1934
- Heavy rain which began on December 30th led to flooding in the Los
Angeles Basin area of California. Flooding claimed the lives of at least
45 persons. Walls of water and debris up to ten feet high were noted in
some canyon areas. Rainfall totals ranged up to 16.29 inches at Azusa,
with 8.26 inches reported in Downtown Los Angeles. (The Weather Channel)
1949
- A six day blizzard began over the Northern Rockies and the Great
Plains. The storm produced the most adverse weather conditions in the
history of the west. (David Ludlum)
1979
- The temperature at Maybell CO plunged to 60 degrees below zero to tie
the state record set back in 1951 at Taylor Park. (The Weather Channel)
1987
- A winter storm brought rain and snow and high winds to the Southern
and Middle Atlantic Coast Region. The storm, which occurred in a period
of unusually high astronomical tides, produced a tide of 9.4 feet at
Myrtle Beach SC (their highest since Hurricane Hazel in 1954) which
caused a total of 25 million dollars damage in South Carolina. (National
Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1988
- Arctic cold gripped the north central U.S. The morning low of 31
degrees below zero at Alamosa CO was a record for the date. Squalls in
the Great Lakes Region produced 17 inches of snow at Elmira NY.
(National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1989
- Those who woke up New Year's morning unable to see much farther than
the end of their nose had a good excuse, at least in the central U.S.,
as dense fog prevailed from Texas to Wisconsin. (National Weather
Summary)
1990
- The new year and decade began on a rather peaceful note. Snow was
primarily confined to the Great Lakes Region, the Upper Ohio Valley, and
the Sierra Nevada Range of California. Subzero temperature readings
were confined to Minnesota and North Dakota. (National Weather Summary)
1994
- Strong winds along the eastern slopes of the Central Rockies gusted
to 70 mph at Arlington WY, and gusted to 80 mph near Estes Park CO.
Heavy snow in the northeast mountains of Oregon produced 14 inches at
Tollgate. A series of storms the first three days of the year produced
20 inches of snow at Lowman, in the west central mountains of Idaho.
(National Weather Summary) (Storm Data)
1997
- Heavy precipitation fell from December 26, 1996 to January 3, 1997 in
much of the west. In the California Sierra Nevadas the Truckee River
reached its highest level on record. Lake Tahoe reached its highest
level since 1917. Sacramento was spared the worst of the flooding by a
system of levees, although many nearby towns were not so fortunate.
Numerous levee breaches and breaks occurred across the state.
Approximately 16,000 residences were damaged or destroyed. State
officials estimated at least $1.6 billion in damages to private and
public property.
1999
- A major blizzard struck portions of the Midwest on January 1-3, 1999.
The storm produced 22 inches of snow in Chicago and was rated by the
NWS as the second worst blizzard of the 20th century, ranking behind the
blizzard in January 1967. Estimates of losses and recovery costs are
between $0.3 and $0.4 billion with 73 dead as a result of the blizzard.
(NCDC)
Storm to Regenerate Over Texas Spreading Snow, Ice Into Missouri and Kansas
By Brian Lada, Meteorologist
January 1,2015; 9:31PM,EST
A storm moving out from the Southwest will regenerate on Friday and will produce a swath of slippery travel in parts of Texas to the central Plains into the weekend.
One batch of ice affected Texas and the southern Plains on New Year's Day.
The remnants of this first batch will move northeastward and fade Thursday night. However, a narrow swath of ice will affect part of northern Arkansas, southern Missouri and western Kentucky into Friday morning.
Know when the rain will start or stop down to the minute by using AccuWeather MinuteCast®.
The storm will get a second wind and strengthen heading into the weekend.
Rain and thunderstorms will ramp up over coastal Texas and the lower Mississippi Valley.
As the storm continues to roll northeastward into a thicker dome of colder air, rain and ice will transition to snow over the central Plains. At the same time colder air will sweep eastward farther to the southwest.
RELATED:
Interactive Radar
AccuWeather.com Winter Weather Center
Seven Scientific Tips for Staying Warm
According to AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski, "A swath of ice and rain will be followed by accumulating snow in parts of northwestern Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and northwestern Missouri at the end of the week."
People traveling around Amarillo, Texas; Wichita, Kansas; and Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri, should be prepared for slippery conditions and delays Friday night into Saturday.
"Enough snow to shovel and plow is likely from central Kansas to northern Missouri," Sosnowski said.
Motorists should be prepared for snowy and slippery travel over a long stretch of Interstate-35 in northern Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri. Delays due to deicing activities are possible at Kansas City.
The storm will move on to the Midwest and Northeast with a large swath of snow, ice and travel disruptions later in the weekend.
On Social Media
Mike Smith
USWeatherExpert
AccuWeather.com
breakingweather
Rain, ice and snow to expand over the Plains: ow.ly/GEOk1
16hSnow, Arctic Blast to Return Across Northern Plains This Weekend
January 1,2015; 9:28PM,EST
An Alberta Clipper will bring snow, wind and another blast of frigid air to part of the North Central states this weekend.
Moderate snowfall is forecast to develop across northeastern Montana, northern North Dakota, and northern Minnesota Friday into Friday night. The heaviest snowfall will occur along the U.S./Canada border over northern Minnesota and northern North Dakota where some locations could receive 6-12 inches of snow.
Along with snowfall, winds will pick up Friday night where gusts up to 35 mph are possible. This will lead to blowing and drifting snow making travel dangerous at times.
According to Accuweather.com Meteorologist Ben Noll, "Winds over the weekend could gust over 40 mph, especially over North Dakota."
Major traffic delays will be expected across Interstate 29 between Fargo, North Dakota, and the Canadian border as well as Interstate 94 between Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Billings, Montana.
As the system moves through, a blast of cold air will come down from Canada on Saturday. "After the passage of the cold front, temperatures can drop over 20 degrees F during the day Saturday," Noll said.
Temperatures are expected to drop rapidly throughout the day Saturday into the single digits or even below zero. Combined with 20- to 30-mph winds from the north, AccuWeather Real Feel® Temperatures will dip between -20 to -40 degrees.
RELATED:
First Winter Storm of 2015 to Unfold From Chicago to Boston This Weekend
Check AccuWeather MinuteCast® for Your Location
AccuWeather Winter Weather Center 2015
According to Accuweather.com Meteorologist Randy Adkins, "This will be the coldest air mass of the season so far across the Rockies and Plains."
Sunday will be the coldest day of the weekend as high temperatures will be well below zero across North Dakota and Minnesota. Some locations may struggle to reach -20 F for a daytime high.
"The cold weather is expected to last into the middle of next week with temperatures remaining well below average," Adkins said.
This storm system will merge with another area of low pressure over the Missouri Valley on Saturday and will bring snow to the Great Lakes late Saturday through Sunday.
Soon after one blast of cold air settles to the east and south, another blast of frigid air will take aim on the Midwest and Northeast starting during the middle of next week.
Story by Accuweather.com Meteorologist Brett Rathbun.
On Social Media
Storm, Moon May Affect Viewing Conditions for First Meteor Shower of 2015
By Mark Leberfinger, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer
January 1,2015; 7:50PM,EST
The storm will strengthen and take a track toward the lower Great Lakes this weekend.
Another factor may also conspire with viewing conditions during the meteor shower's peak on Friday night as a waxing gibbous moon whose light may wash out all but the brightest meteors.
The radiant point of the Quadrantid shower makes an approximate right angle with the Big Dipper and Arcturus, according to EarthSky.
The best time to watch the meteors will be before dawn Saturday.
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It looks like the viewing will be good across the Northeast and in Florida, but there will be numerous clouds everywhere else east of the Rockies, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Dave Samuhel said.
"It should be clear up and down the West Coast from Seattle to Los Angeles and also be clear across most of the Four Corners states," Samuhel said.
After the Quadrantids, the next major meteor shower - the Lyrid shower -- is expected between April 16 to 25, 2015.
On Social Media
Mark Miller
mark_wx
Umm hacked? RT @NWSAtlanta: Well at least hockey was on today. Then there's all this college foot..z z z z z z z z z z z z z #boringasshit
AccuFan #Weather Photo of the Day: End of Sunset Beauty in New Jersey by "elizabethbran" on 12/27/14...
AccuFan #Weather Photo of the Day: Winter Sunset in California by "hecmixalot" on 12/21/14 http://ow...
Mark Miller
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WOW. RT @JeffPassan: Baylor kicker dead. vine.co/v/OwVVed7ZHtp
Extreme Heat, Fire Danger Threaten Melbourne, Australia
By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist
January 1,2015; 9:20PM,EST
Extreme heat is wasting no time building across southeastern Australia for the start of 2015.
Temperatures will dramatically soar across Victoria, South Australia and neighboring areas on Friday as an area of high pressure off the coast pumps in hot air from the south.
The extreme heat will persist through Saturday as a cold front approaches and cools down the South Australia coastline.
The hottest days since last summer are in store for Melbourne with highs approaching, then reaching the 40-degree mark C (lower 100s F).
With a high around 24 C (mid-70s F) more common for early January, such heat is dangerous.
Residents are encouraged to keep cool by drinking plenty of water, wear light clothing and spending the days in a building with air conditioning or fans. Be sure to look in on the elderly, children and pets to make sure they are properly dealing with the heat.
Strenuous activity or labor should be avoided, especially during the midday and afternoon hours.
In addition to the heat, gusty winds will occasionally blow and significantly heighten the fire danger. Extreme care should be taken with campfires, sparks and cigarette butts.
RELATED:
Detailed Forecast for Melbourne, Australia
Australia Weather Center
First Tropical Cyclone of Season to Form Near Australia
The cooldown set to grace the South Australia coast on Saturday will spread to the rest of the state and Victoria to end the weekend, but the heat will not depart on a quiet note.
As the cold front swings through, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Adam Douty is concerned for locally gusty thunderstorms to erupt. Such thunderstorms will target Melbourne late Saturday.
In the front's wake, temperatures in Melbourne will plunge down to 15 C (60 F) Saturday night and only recover to the lower 20s C (lower 70s F) on Sunday.
The return to more seasonable temperatures will not last long as warmer air quickly returns early next week. At the same time, a tropical threat will be brewing off the northern coast of Western Australia.
On Social Media
TARTANPION
GWEN12ea
#2015IsTheYearOfJustinBieber #FOLLOWXFOLLOW Overnight fire danger extreme in Victoria - Sky News Australia bit.ly/1ERuA5W
quie
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#waverideronellen #CNN Overnight fire danger extreme in Victoria - Sky News Australia bit.ly/1ERv23Z
51mAre Solar Panels Usable in Snowy Climates?
January 1,2015; 7:43PM,EST
See larger image below.
However, for those living in wintry climates, snow accumulation may pose a problem.
Joshua Pearce, associate professor at Michigan Tech University (MTU), said, "If snow is completely covering the panel, you are obviously only going to get the amount of energy out of the panel from the amount of light that is able to pass through the snow."
"Even having a relatively small amount of snow on top of a given panel can radically reduce the amount of energy output for your entire system," he said.
Due to these issues, research is currently being conducted whether solar technology is useful in wintry climates.
Solar panels at the top of a mountain. (Credit: Flickr/SteFou!)The projected losses could affect energy costs for all homeowners using solar power, but only significantly for ones that rely entirely on solar power and are not connected to the traditional electrical grid.
For the vast majority of homes and businesses that still remain "on-the-grid," the financial impacts are minimal but the energy losses still pose questions to enhance optimal usage.
Research being conducted in Michigan, Colorado and Washington by MTU and the engineering firm DNV GL is designed to test the energy output for solar panels with varying levels of snow coverage and other factors such as "racking" (the accumulation of snow at the bottom of a panel if the snow can't slide off naturally) and the angle the panels are tilted.
When the study is completed, Pearce is confident that, "Everyone, both [solar panel] designers, people that are funding systems and everyday homeowners [should] have the ability to look at your weather data for your area and predict, with very good assurance, what your snow losses or snow gains would be."
RELATED LINKS:
Solar Panels Present New Dangers to Firefighters
AccuWeather Winter Weather Center
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The research is also examining the positive effects of a snowy climate on solar panels.
"When snow is on the ground and the panels are clean, the snowy surface basically acts as a mirror and you can get higher output," Pearce said. "In many cases, you end up with a small boost because of the reflection off the snow."
Pearce describes several methods they have used to increase the efficiency of panels with snow accumulations.
Solar panels are a cost-efficient form of alternative energy, with an overwhelming percentage of new systems being installed in tangent with the traditional electrical grid.
As long as a structure is connected to the power grid, electricity will not be interrupted when snow accumulation makes solar energy unattainable.
With continued research and installations, solar power remains a viable option for Americans hoping to utilize reusable energy.
Tips for Solar Power Users in Snowy Climates
Bounce a tennis ball off snow-covered panels.
Homeowners who have rooftop solar panels installed can surprisingly increase the energy output by bouncing a tennis ball off the snow-covered panels. The small divots created by the tennis ball help begin the snow shed process and allow sunlight to reach the modules and begin converting energy.Install solar panels at the largest angle possible.
A higher angle lessens the accumulation of snow on top of the panel. "Everyone that is in a very snowy place, like in northern Michigan, should be aggressive in your tilting angle. So if you have a decision to make between something like 30 degrees or 40 degrees, it's better to go 40 degrees," Pearce said.Don't set up panels in a way that allows snow to gather at the bottom.
Installing panels in a way that allows the snow to fall freely from the array greatly reduces the impact of snow. When snow slides off the panel at an angle and gathers at the bottom of the module, the losses can significant. "In those cases, when you have a very low tilt angle and a dam [of snow], you can lose all of the solar energy associated with the winter," Pearce said.
On Social Media
AccuFan #Weather Photo of the Day: End of Sunset Beauty in New Jersey by "elizabethbran" on 12/27/14...
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Wow. Talk about letting onBlustery Winds Start New Year for Northern Europe
By Courtney Spamer, Meteorologist
January 1,2015; 9:11PM,EST
A storm system is kicking off the new year across northern Europe on a rainy and blustery note.
The heart of the storm will graze far northern United Kingdom before tracking into Scandinavia. However, the front extending southward will pass through the northern tier of Europe.
The rain accompanying the front will be typical of the storms normally seen across the United Kingdom and Scandinavia.
Rainfall totals for the most part are not expected to exceed 25 mm (0.75 inches). The only exception is the western coasts of Norway and Scotland, where rain totals could tally to as much as 50 mm (2 inches) in some places.
However, the wind filtering into the region will be noticeably gustier than a usual day.
Wind gusts can reach 90 kph (55 mph) along the west-facing coasts of the United Kingdom and northern Europe through Friday. This includes the city of Bergen, Norway.
Such winds could cause some tree damage and sporadic power outages.
Other city hubs farther inland, like Edinburgh, Oslo and Hamburg, will still be on the windy side. However, the majority of wind gusts will remain below 75 kph (45 mph).
RELATED:
Edinburgh, United Kingdom, Radar at AccuWeather.com
AccuWeather.com Europe Weather Homepage
Current Conditions in Bergen, Norway from AccuWeather.com
The combination of the blustery winds and the cooler air in the front's wake will create widespread subfreezing AccuWeather.com RealFeel® temperatures across northern Europe on Friday.
Actual temperatures will rise to around 6 C (mid-40s F) in Berlin, Germany, RealFeels will be held below freezing due to the wind.
Winds are expected to subside across the United Kingdom Saturday morning. Along the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea, winds could continue to howl through the early part of the day on Saturday. However, damaging gusts are not expected to be a problem by late afternoon on Saturday as winds diminish.
As the front sinks southward, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Tyler Roys is concerned for a period of ice to glaze parts of southeastern Europe Friday night.
Slippery roads and sidewalks could result from northern Serbia to southern Romania to eastern Ukraine.
AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski contributed to the content of this story.
On Social Media
Braeden Mayer
Braeden_Mayer
Happy New Year, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Ireland, and western Europe, and northwestern Africa!
AccuWeather.com
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A storm system is bring rainy and blustery conditions to northern Europe to begin 2015. ow.ly/GFRdm
4hWorld Weather Hot Spot for January 1-2,2015 from accuweather.com
Istanbul,Turkey: Unusual cold;wind chill/real feel temperature dips into the teens Wednesday night (December 31,2014-January 1,2015)
WeatherWhys for January 1,2015 from accuweather.com
January is often the coldest month of the year in the Northern
Hemisphere. The main reason for this is that the Arctic air masses in
the north reach maturity due to an extensive snow cover and lack of
daylight.
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