[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FN5fSxy3Lw&w=480&h=360]
ONE CALM DAY: It will be a cold morning to start across the state with temperatures in the single digits above and below zero. Wind chills will be well below zero especially in the northern counties of the state where a Wind Chill Advisory is in effect through the morning hours. Clouds will be on the increase later in the day from the southwest as the storm approaches.
SNOWY DAYS AHEAD: The models have been showing a delayed approach with regards to the storm coming Thursday and Friday. Most areas are likely not to see any snow until after sunrise Thursday across the western counties of the state, by the middle of the day in the central counties and mid to late afternoon or early evening in the eastern counties. Models have also trended some higher totals especially in the southern counties where there was a possible chance that some dry air would cut the moisture supply off leading to lesser totals in those areas. This still could happen but is looking less likely at this time. This is still a very fluid situation as the storm is still well off to our west and southwest at this time. Snowfall amounts looks to be heaviest over the southern and especially western counties of the state where 10 plus inches of snow are possible in and around Omaha Council Bluffs. The Des Moines metro area could receive around 7-10″ where areas farther to the northeast may get 4 to as much as 8 inches of snow. With the slowing of the storm system, it is looking like most of Friday will see some light snow across the state with it ending from west to east during the daylight hours. A few lingering flurries or snow showers are possible in the eastern counties into the evening hours Friday. Temperatures during this storm will be in the upper teens through the 20s. Winds will be a factor that may lead some whiteout conditions especially in open areas. Blowing and drifting snow is a good possibility given the fact that the snow will be a fluffy snow.
DOUBLE THE PLEASURE DOUBLE THE SNOW!: As the state digs out from this storm upcoming, another one could be on tap Sunday through Tuesday. This one may have more warm air with it thus the chance of some rain mixing in with the storm is possible especially in the eastern and southeastern counties of the state. Given the very good chance of a snow cover, temperatures at the surface may be at or just slightly below freezing Monday. This could lead to some freezing rain or drizzle in those areas with snow in the central and western counties of the state. The storm track with this system looks to move right over the Iowa Missouri border from Monday morning to Tuesday morning. Winds could be a factor with this storm as well with more blowing and drifting snow possible. In any case, this storm will need to be watched as there will only be about 48 hours or less from when the first storm departs and this one approaches from the west.
HELLO SPRING: Meteorological Spring begins on the first of March, but it’s not looking like any spring weather is going to be forecast for a while. The GFS continues to hint at below average temperatures at least through the first week of the month with several systems that could bring us some rain and or snow to the state. This will help alleviate the drought conditions that are still ongoing across the state.
NOTE: We are likely going to have a chat session regarding this storm system during the day Thursday into early Friday. With regards to travel, if you don’t need to be out Thursday into Friday and perhaps late Sunday into Monday, it would be best to stay at home. Flights out of all the major airports in the state are likely going to be severely delayed and or cancelled.