PREVIEW: The Winter Symphony
What does summer weather sound like? What does winter weather sound like? What does a forecast sound like? A forecast can be tuned just like a musical instrument.
DeBartolo Performing Arts Center - Notre Dame
The past few Winter Outlooks, I’ve explained forecast probability and patterns with poker, hockey and Jenga. This year I will connect the waves around us, sound waves to atmospheric waves.
Long atmospheric waves meander between the poles and the tropics, as the warm air pushes north and cold air sinks southward. These are major drivers of the long-range weather pattern.
Music makes us feel a certain way, based on the pitch, tempo and volume. It all depends on how the sounds waves hit our ears. To help me make the connection, I have the assistance of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra.
The South Bend Symphony Orchestra Rehearsing
What’s going into the composition? This fall has been mild, as the end of October the 13th warmest on record. As explained in previous outlooks and our Sudden Shift climate change special report, the cold season is getting shorter.
The past few winters have been some of the warmest and least snowy on record.
However, the outlook for this winter, has a chance of real winter weather returning. Last year, El Niño was strong and dominate, this year will be different. Without a dominate teleconnection, there’s an increased possibility in more active and even cooler weather.
This is a major part of NOAA’s Winter Outlook.
When I watch weather patterns, I sometimes see them dance to a silent melody. I hope you join us on Thursday November 21st at 6:00 PM for The Winter Symphony.
Special Thanks to Anna Rahner who is cellist, from the Notre Dame Symphony Orchestra.