Wednesday, February 23, 2011

World Sunlight Map

In my research I often find some pretty interesting resources. I thought I'd share with anyone here who might find this interesting as well.

http://www.die.net/earth/

Monday, February 14, 2011

Exploding Snow

Found this video on another blog. I've seen some big ice chunks come off 18-wheelers, but never anything this bad.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

February 1, 2011 Blizzard Review

Posting some links to NWS reviews for the blizzard:

St. Louis Office
Chicago Office
Central Illinois Office (links to other regions can be found here)

Many thanks to the National Weather Service for the work they did predicting and analyzing this historic storm.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Blizzard '11 - February 1

7:30 p.m.

The wrap around moisture from the storm has come and gone in a hurry.  We experienced a short time with moderate snowfall and light winds as the low pressure system traveled nearby.  Now that it is on its way to the NE, we are officially on the back side of the storm and into the 3rd phase, windy and bitterly cold.

My final observation was at 7:05, bringing the storm total to 16.0".  This is of course assuming we don't experience any more wrap around moisture. 

Here are my final snowfall observations (pending any additional snow tonight)



Snowfall rates started off light but quickly became incredibly intense.  By the 10:00 hour, we were pushing 2.0"/hr and many places were reporting the same.  I read a few reports in areas north and west of here experiencing thundersnow, but didn't hear any today. 

Storm average snowfall rate from the period of 5:30 am to 7:30 pm:  1.14"/hr

Photos and Videos




Video #2 - From earlier in the day

Video #3 - Nearing the end of the storm; shows some of the amazing drifts

More photos from the storm can be found here
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2:30 p.m.

I could only imagine what a blizzard looks like, and what I'm seeing now is the image I've had.  But I never realized what a blizzard feels like.  It kinda puts your senses on edge.  Our winds are now sustained at 23 mph and gusting 35-40.  I feel like something could give at any time.  And that makes me nervous.

12:05 p.m.  |  7.5"
1:05 p.m.  |  8.5"
2:05 p.m.  |  10.0"

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11:30 a.m.

At midday, snow has been falling for 6 hours.  Moderate snow has been the norm with periods of heavy snow.  At the most, we have had 2"/hr rates.  Snow is getting difficult to measure, so I've had to start taking multiple measurements.  Here are the 2 observations I've taken since last observation:

10:05 a.m.  |  4.0"
11:05 a.m.  |  5.7"

Our power went out for a minute or two a little while ago.  It made the sober reality set in for my wife and I.  There are reports of power outages since 10:30 just south of Mexico (25 min north of here).

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9:05 a.m.

Snow started falling this morning around 5:30, and increased in intensity very rapidly.  Moderate and heavy at times, the snow quickly covered the ground.  Winds have been light at times and brisk at others, nothing extreme yet.

Total Snow:  2.0"


This video shows our current snowfall rates, as of 9:05 a.m.