Monday, January 31, 2011

Blizzard '11 - January 31

A historic event is expected to unfold in mid-Missouri, and in fact in most of Missouri tomorrow and Wednesday.  Having grown up in Missouri, I have seen snow storms come and go.  Most of the 'big' storms have been such that provided a nice blanket of 6-10" (as we just experienced on the 20-21st), and I can count on one hand the times we have had extreme snowfalls of 12-15".  Nothing comes close to what has been churning for the past few days, and what may possibly come through in the next 12 hours. 

The Setup

A split flow in the jet stream has merged dropping down a large polar air mass that is expected to bring sub-zero temperatures by Wednesday night.  At the same time, a huge storm will be ejected out of Texas bringing an enormous amount of moisture tapped from the gulf.  Below is a graphic showing the projected path of the surface low that will cause this storm.



Here is the 2-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast valid Monday night:


These amounts are extreme, even during spring torrents that visit the area.  But to have a snowstorm bring such rain is unprecedented during this generation.

On the right side of my blog, I show the NWS STL graphical snow forecast.  This changes with each cycle of the model runs, and this image was captured at 6:00 am Tuesday morning.  Amazing totals.





Finally, a first has happened in the history of the NWS STL.  Never before have they issued a Blizzard Warning for their CFA.  As you can see below, much of Missouri is under a blizzard warning from 6 am Tuesday till noon Wednesday.  Blizzard conditions include heavy snow, 35+ mph sustained winds, and 1/4 mile visibility for at least 3 hours.




Of course, this storm is not affecting only our area.  Many people will be affected by this dangerous system across the country.  A crippling ice storm is expected for southern Illinois into Indiana, and the heavy snow will continue northeastward into the already battered New England states.  The warning map below was captured early this afternoon.


Friday, January 28, 2011

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Snow January 19-20

::Update::

I've added a couple of videos from the storm.  The first one is at my first observation at 5:00 p.m. 




This next video was at 11:00 p.m., my last observation before morning. 5.4" on the ground at the time.



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Jan 20
9:15 a.m.

Total Snow:  8.5"

Light snow is steady but tapering off.  Wind N 12 mph





Find more pictures HERE


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Jan 20
6:00 a.m.

Total Snow:  8.2"

What a cool sight this is!  We haven't had this much snow fall since the big storm on Nov. 30-Dec. 1 2006.  It's been a long time coming.  Presently, light snow is falling with a light north wind.



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Jan 19
11:00 p.m.

Total Snow:  5.4"

Moderate snowfall still occurring at this time.  Wind N 13mph



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Jan 19
9:30 p.m.

Total Snow:  3.8"

Snow rate has intensified, as we have picked up an additional 1.9" over the past hour and 45 minutes.

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Jan. 19
7:45 p.m.

Total Snow:  1.9"

Wind has picked up a bit close to 10 mph out of NE.  Light to moderate snow.



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Jan. 19
6:40 p.m.

Total Snow:  1.2"

Light to moderate snow falling, little to no wind




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Jan. 19
5:00 p.m.

Total Snow:  0.25"

Snow began lightly around 4:15, and is quickly intensifying.  It didn't take long for the roads to slicken up. 


Monday, January 10, 2011

January 10-11 Snow

Snow fell again in mid-Missouri, and it's a beautiful sight.  Around 11:00 am, light snow began to fall, and throughout the day, we experienced steady moderate snowfall, tapering to light snow by evening and finally ending around 3:00 a.m.  This morning, the 11th, we have frigid air spilling in.  Currently it is 12° with a wind chill reading around 5. 





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Jan. 11, 4:30 a.m. observation:

Snow has stopped around 3:00 a.m..  The wind has started to pick up a bit as this storm makes its way by us.

Total Snow:  4.6"

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Jan. 10, 9:45 p.m. observation:

Still snowing at this time.  The intensity has definitely tapered off, and the east wind has all but quit.  Currently, light snow is falling with some nice conglomerate flakes mixed in.

Total Snow:  2.9"
SWE:  0.25"  (11.6 : 1)



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Jan. 10, 6:30 p.m. observation:

2.4" and still snowing