A late November update

     I've been slacking in the effort to keep all informed of the weather in the Florida panhandle, but it should be no surprise that it's been warmer here at Casablanca on 30A than most places in the eastern U.S.!  Even though much of the eastern two-thirds of the nation have been warmer than normal this fall cold shots of Canadian air have blasted through the region periodically, leaving behind very cool conditions.   Guess what?  By the time those cold shots get to Santa Rosa Beach they have been modified (i.e. warmed up) and are thus not very chilly.
     For example this morning's low in Washington DC - even with the "urban heat island" effect - was 32 degrees (F), the freezing point.  The low here at the beach was 15 degrees higher than that, and the high today will reach into the mid-60's (and then into the 70's later this week) while DC will struggle to reach the 50 degree mark.  If you're wary of cold weather which sounds more comfortable to you?
     And as we dive deeper into the coming winter these cold shots will become more frequent and virulent since most forecasters believe this winter will be significantly colder than last year's over much of the U.S.  The warming imparted to these cold air masses by crossing thousands of miles of more southern climes before reaching the beach will be important to those looking to escape frigid conditions.  Here's a look at such a cold shot forecast to grind southward the second weekend of December.

Note the warmer green and yellow shades around the white cross located over Santa Rosa Beach.  The cold air is only cool down here, and it doesn't stick around very long before warming back up.
     So what are you waiting for?  C'mon down to our place and warm up a bit!

A November update

The weather pattern seems to be one of repetitive nor'easters forming along the Eastern U.S. coastline.  Long range forecast models are hinting at yet another one for Thanksgiving week which would put quite a damper - literally - on holiday plans for folks along the busy I-95 corridor.  This next storm could include more snow and wind for those places already reeling from "Superstorm Sandy".  What's worse is that at least one really long range model outlook suggests that another nor'easter could form in the same region the week after that.

Meanwhile the northern three-quarters of the country are feeling the effects of autumn by now as shown in the cooler blue shades in this forecast graphic for early next Saturday morning:

What does all this mean for Santa Rosa Beach?  It's still a great place to head for a warmup!  Afternoon temperatures this week will still be reaching into the upper 60's (F) and low 70's while the morning lows will remain in the low 50's.  Nor'easter?  What nor'easter?