December 2017 Observations and Discussions

[westMJim]

Here at my house I received 1.7” of new snow overnight and now have a depth of 9” on the ground. . At this time light snow is falling and the temperature is 13°.  As of yesterday, Grand Rapids departure for this month is now at -3.2° and at the airport 28.4” of snow has fallen this month so far.  And for the season so far the total is now at 29.0” At Muskegon the departure is -2.5° and they have reported 31.6” of snow fall this month and now have a reported 11” on the ground. Over in central Michigan Lansing departure is -2.9° and so far they have had 16.4” of snow this month.

Here are the departures and December snow fall totals on the east side of Michigan Detroit -2.3° snow Dec snow fall 21.6” Flint -3.4° snow fall 22.0” Saginaw -2.6° snow fall 12.4” Up north Alpena -3.3° December snow fall 13.7” The Sault -4.2° 39.9” Marquette -3.7° 30.9” The one location that is a surprise to me is Marquette with only 30.9” so far this month and they only have 6” on the ground there.

[westMJim]

Climatology for today December 29th     At Grand Rapids, MI

 

The average H/L is 32/20

The record high is 65° set in 1984 the coldest maximum is 10 set in 1976

The record low is -4° set in 1909 the warmest minimum is 38° set om 1992

The most snow fall is 5.3” in 1980

The most on the ground is 14” in 1976

Last year the H/L was 38/30   0.8” of snow fell and a trace was on the ground

[jaster220]

Snow hole over SD is getting filled in as we speak.  We should have an expansive snow cover after today which bodes well as we roll into Jan. The minimal snow pack across N IA and N IL will also deepen and help us going forward to keep the cold around.

 

http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/snow_model/images/full/National/nsm_depth/201712/nsm_depth_2017122905_National.jpg

 

Maybe it's the low-moisture content of our snow pack, but this map has shown us quite a bit lower than reality. Been waiting for it to correct, but it still hasn't. I have at least 5-6" depth in Marshall with the overnight snow. I'd say this area in red should be in the 4-10" shading, not the 2-4" shading it shows. Just an observation. Normally I've found this map pretty accurate across SWMI. First time I can remember not being able to say that.

 

[Niko]

Still some light snow falling and about to end. Picked up almost near an inch. Now, the Arctic Express roars on in.

 

Btw: my coldest temp thus far this month has been -15.6F.

[jaster220]

Still some light snow falling and about to end. Picked up almost near an inch. Now, the Arctic Express roars on in.

 

Btw: my coldest temp thus far this month has been -15.6F.

 

What u talkin bout homey?? We got more snow coming before the cold re-enforcement arrives..

[St Paul Storm]

.

Good Lowdy! d**n, that’s down right brutal. How do you even handle that? I guess your not going to play some ice hockey on your rink anytime soon.

You have to embrace it, otherwise you’ll be miserable. My mom wanted to fly back to Phoenix a day early because she couldn’t take it anymore earlier this week. Ha! I’m hoping to get out on the rink this weekend actually. I’ve got a fire pit down by the lake to keep me warm. It’s all good.

[Niko]

What u talkin bout homey?? We got more snow coming before the cold re-enforcement arrives..

WOW...thought that was going to pass to the south of us.

[Tom]

Some models continue to suggest a good set up for LES potential this weekend, however, details this far out are not wise to jump on one solution.  If trends continue throughout the day, I'll start a separate thread for this potential.  I'll be out all day and won't be posting much until later in the evening.  Enjoy the snow today!

 

LOT's take...

 

 

 

Lake effect snow set up looks very good late Saturday night over
central portions of the lake and then extending across the southern
part of the lake Sunday into Sunday evening. Various models have
been showing a meso low developing over the southern end of the lake
for the past week...in varying degrees of strength and placement. A
band of heavy lake effect snow is likely to be moving south along
the western side of the lake Sunday morning as shown by the
convective allowing models. Though even with the detail currently
shown...confidence of this lake effect snow impacting northeast IL
remains low. This band will shift southeast and likely impact part
of northwest Indiana...most likely Porter County. Amounts will be
dependent on its duration but heavy snow will certainly be possible
wherever this band moves and it should be moving east of the cwa by
mid Sunday evening.

[St Paul Storm]

Just read a tweet that this week (between Christmas Day and NYE) will be one of the coldest since 1886 in the Twin Cities. That’s good stuff!

[gimmesnow]

What u talkin bout homey?? We got more snow coming before the cold re-enforcement arrives..

 

I hope we get something soon. If it's going to be this cold, it just takes one 6 to 12 inch storm and we've got snow for a month.

[Hawkeye]

At 15F, and no wind, it's actually pretty decent outside.  The next few days, not so much.

[Niko]

Currently a balmy 19F w mostly cloudy skies. I believe the bulk of the snow should remain south of my area. Although, a few snowshowers are not outta the question.

[jaster220]

Lighter snow on-n-off but it looks like the more serious stuff moves in by 4 pm just like yesterday. Just in time for my pm commute, lol

 

 

 

My parking spot has a nice wind block from the raw NW winds off the lake

 

 

My typical drive home..

 

 

Some quaint small towns..

 

 

 

..and scenery

 

 

[Niko]

Not sure if this includes my area.....

 

Per NOAA:

 

Attention will then turn to the Thumb, where developing northerly
flow with next shot of arctic air will push troughing currently
anchored over Lake Huron southward. Convective depths in excess of
10kft and low level lapse rates on the order of 8C/km suggest very
intense snowfall rates for a few hours on Saturday afternoon as the
main band of convergence is pushed southward through the region.
During this period, several inches of snow can be expected in some
locales.

[Niko]

Lighter snow on-n-off but it looks like the more serious stuff moves in by 4 pm just like yesterday. Just in time for my pm commute, lol

 

20171229 NWS Regional Graphic-cast for 4pm.png

 

My parking spot has a nice wind block from the raw NW winds off the lake

 

DSC00008.JPG

 

My typical drive home..

 

DSC00014.gif

 

Some quaint small towns..

 

DSC00017.JPG

 

DSC00018.JPG

 

..and scenery

 

DSC00020.JPG

 

DSC00021.JPG

Nice pics dude....I waved at ya, but you didn't see me

[jaster220]

Nice pics dude....I waved at ya, but you didn't see me

 

That was you???

[Niko]

That was you??? lmaosmiley.gif

Yup.....

[Thunder98]

Brutal forecast low of 34F for International Falls in Sunday Morning and then a little "warm up" on Tuesday before another cold wave the next day.

 

 

[Niko]

Lows next week are expected to get down in the -10s and even a few -20s for my area. Dang!

[Minny_Weather]

11° on my balcony right now. Tiniest flakes I have ever seen are falling right now. So tiny that you can only see them if you shine a light right at them, and radar isn't picking it up.

[Iowawx]

It will be a close call for my area tomorrow night. Models seem to suggest my area might get some light snow as the wave moves east and weakens. 

[Tom]

Here comes the Arctic Express!  The snowy owls will feel right at home...  Temps have been dropping since a midnight high of 15F at ORD.  Skies are overcast with a temp of +8F, WC -10F and a gusty NW wind sustained @ 17mph.  #Chiberia  

 

Even though we under-performed in the snow dept yesterday, it was just enough to fully cover the grass tips and lay down a fresh coating.  I'm thankful for the new snow that fell which will aid in protecting the ground from the bitter cold.  I feel for those who have bare ground and will have to endure the potential of pipes bursting in this type of cold weather.  I remember a few years back it got this cold but only for a couple days and we had bare ground.  Pipes were bursting everything in the city and burbs from the frozen ground.  Not good.

 

On another note, like Jaster mentioned, this cold is reminiscent to the '13-'14 cold but without the wind.  The pattern that year had the actual polar vortex swing through the GL's several times and I remember how windy this feature really was.  I would rather have the HP scenario we are enjoying (or not), rather than the other scenario.  Another difference is the blocking this season which was lacking that year.

 

On the topic of blocking, I will prepare a post in the Jan thread and the evolution of an active pattern just beyond the medium range.  Who will cash in???

[St Paul Storm]

Currently -16F on the backyard thermometer. Heading up to a balmy -7 today with a wind chill between -30 and -40F. When the Fahrenheit and Celsius numbers are identical you know it’s cold.

[westMJim]

I recorded 2.4” of new snow last night and now have 11.2” on the ground here at my house. As of yesterday Grand Rapids is now up to 30.9” of snow this month that makes it the 2^nd year in a row that December has gone over 30” Right now it is +10° with light snow falling.

[westMJim]

Climatology for today December 30th    At Grand Rapids, MI

 

The average H/L is 32/20°

The record high is 60° set in 1936 the coldest maximum is 11 set in 1976

The record low is -11° set in 1976 the record warmest minimum is 39° set in 1965

The biggest snow fall is 7.0” in 2001

The most on the ground is 14” in 1909

Last year the H/L was 30/26 there was a trace of snow fall and 1” on the ground.

[Tom]

I recorded 2.4” of new snow last night and now have 11.2” on the ground here at my house. As of yesterday Grand Rapids is now up to 30.9” of snow this month that makes it the 2^nd year in a row that December has gone over 30” Right now it is +10° with light snow falling.

Making up the snow deficit in a hurry!  Wow, as the skies cleared temps have dropped 4 degree's at ORD now down to +4F with some subzero readings in the NW burbs.

[Minny_Weather]

3*, cloudy, and breezy on my balcony. Pretty Siberian outside right now. Wind chill advisory hoisted for tomorrow, warning for tomorrow night. HRRR wants to put an inch down tonight here. Would be very welcome.

[Niko]

Big  Arctic Express roaring for next week. Lows in the -10s and -20s likely for my area. Brrrrrrrrrrrr!

[Niko]

Currently @ 12F w partly cloudy skies. A little snow fell last night, but just to the south of my area, a persistent band dropped several inches of snow.

[Minny_Weather]

There's a bit of snow on the firewood I put out yesterday. Wonder when that happened.

[james1976]

Yup im having '13-'14 flashbacks and i love it since that was favorite winter i can ever remember. Clipper train and now brutal cold. I was at -7 a while ago and it just dropped to -8.

I'm also at 8.9" total snowfall so far this season.

[Tom]

Yup im having '13-'14 flashbacks and i love it since that was favorite winter i can ever remember. Clipper train and now brutal cold. I was at -7 a while ago and it just dropped to -8.

I'm also at 8.9" total snowfall so far this season.

My thinking is our snow deficits will be making up in a hurry in about week when the pattern turns to more excitement.  Great pattern for cutters and west/east systems through at least mid month when we could foresee 2 back to back storms in the Jan 7th-15th period.

[St Paul Storm]

Just got back from shoveling the driveway. Still -13F with a WC of -34 currently. Full sun and bright blue skies. Several bald eagles are sitting in the trees overlooking the lake. My pics didn’t turn out unfortunately. Pretty majestic scenery though given the elements.

[Niko]

Just got back from shoveling the driveway. Still -13F with a WC of -34 currently. Full sun and bright blue skies. Several bald eagles are sitting in the trees overlooking the lake. My pics didn’t turn out unfortunately. Pretty majestic scenery though given the elements.

I ended up w an inch from last night, meanwhile, residents just south of me ended up w several inches. Just went out and cleaned up that silly inch that fell. It keeps adding to my snowpack.

[Niko]

Currently @ 17F w sun & clouds mix. Roads are slippery. Salt is not working.

[dubuque473]

Came home from work and someone had shoveled my sidewalks, pretty happy with that.

 

Currently -21 with the WC. Supposed to get really cold tomorrow...

[bud2380]

Models still showing 1-2” tonight and tomorrow for some of Iowa and Nebraska. Dry air looks to win out in eastern Iowa. Looks like we might get a half inch here though.

[james1976]

Heat wave is on here. Jumped up to -3

[Niko]

A balmy 16F w partly cloudy skies. Have to keep an eye on Port Huron to my north for any bands streaming on south off the lake. Some could have intense snowfall rates.

[Madtown]

made it above zero 1 here!