Winter Weather Patterns

Winter is upon us. This doesnt mean we have to strike a baleful note of doom, though it should remind many of us that winter generally brings more cloudy skies to North America. In 2015, an Alaska-based climate blogger, Brian Brettschneider, examined cloud coverage data from selected weather stations in the National Climate Data Center's (NCDC) Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN). He created a series of maps showing the cloudiest parts of the U.S., the distribution of cloud cover by month and the cloudiest months for each first order reporting station.

Key Takeaways:

• Winter generally brings more widespread and persistent overcast conditions across North America, caused by lower sun angles leading to stable inversion layers, contrasting with the transient cumuliform clouds and thunderstorms of warmer seasons.
• Atmospheric moisture, influenced by temperature, dictates cloud formation and precipitation types; winter's reduced heat means precipitation often occurs differently, with specific forms like snow, ice pellets, or freezing rain depending on the vertical temperature profile.
• Pilots must understand that winter weather patterns, especially persistent inversions and fog, are highly regional and should not apply local weather knowledge to unfamiliar areas, as varying geography can create significantly different and prolonged conditions.

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