April 28, 2008          

Several record or near-record cold outbreaks have swept through Texoma during the month of April. While overnight lows in the 30s happen during this month on occasion, we’ve seen more than our share of odd weather the past few months. This same pattern was responsible for the record snows in March, and for several of our severe weather outbreaks.

We have seen a great number of fairly intense upper lows sweep by during this time. The jet stream this past weekend was blowing straight out of the north: more like January than the end of April. This allowed for the record cold seen on the morning of the 28^th.

Surface low pressure areas have been unusually strong as well; that’s why this has been a very windy year. Weather patterns tend to persist for several months at a time; just as when it rained (seemingly) every day in June and July last year. So, the unstable, stormy, and generally crazy weather of 2008 will eventually settle down. I just see no hints of a change within the next 10 days.

Thus, until this pattern changes, we can expect a continued fairly stormy pattern, with occasional large temperature fluctuations, into May.

Take Care,

Steve LaNore

Chief Meteorologist

KXII-TV