Jan 14th-16th Upper MW/GL's Storm System

[jaster220]

Once again, the "middle of the Mitt" region scored the best hit with yesterday's storm. A couple areas of 4-6" of fresh snow on top of their (settled) base means a solid refresher as we turn colder now. The top two rows of counties in our CWA are included in this too (GRR has no such maps, not even doing event maps as of late).

@whatitdo Michigan has at least (4) weather zones. When ours isn't doing well during winter, it's a pretty safe bet somewhere else in the state is. It's a rare season indeed when you can't find any winter in the Mitt. I remember several times looking out at bare ground while a few hours drive north there was feet OTG (89-90 for example). Some years, if winter won't come to you, you must go to winter. What is your favorite destination "up north"?  Center of the Mitt is the place to see best conditions in the LP, unless and until the LES machine gets going and changes that. Even seeing a small zone of 12+ inch depth near West Branch where I got my puppy back in March. 

 

[Grizzcoat]

On 1/15/2021 at 2:10 PM, Hawkeye said:

Des Moines recently went years without a 6" storm.

I think it was 4 winters -2016 through 2010 winters without a 6" snowfall in a calendar day.  Everyone becomes due at some time climate speaking.  This includes the snowiest JAN - FEB of all time (2019') at DSM.  Now twice in the last 40 days- the last system didn't do it. Just 5.6" over 2 days. To be fair- the stat of 6" of snow in a calendar day is rather difficult for most when you think about it. Even MPLS sees the occurrence less than 35% of years in the 30 year climate record. I know for sure a 12" storm in a calendar day has only happened about a dozen times in the last 100 at MSP. Back to back days is WAY different. Someone has mentioned that snowfall AVG in the 30 year mean is quite down in the past decade in the region. That may be. But  Pretty sure MPLS is with DSM, but DSM is RIGHT on it's avg of 35.3 it sees in a winter ( 30 year mean) over the last 10 years (minus this one)-- which is on pace (27.9) to beat 35.3. It's all relative. As one could post that DSM is on pace to break top 10 seasonal snowfall again for the 4th time in the last 11-12 years. -- but that years of sub 18" would make this statement much different.  DSM could see no more accumulation snow the rest of the year and this entire statement could be written 180 the other way. Keep the faith folks- It can switch REAL quick.

[Tom]

Pretty cool lake enhanced bands coming off of LM into the SW MI area... @jaster220 @westMJim @Stacsh any of you getting hit???

[jaster220]

5 hours ago, Tom said:

Pretty cool lake enhanced bands coming off of LM into the SW MI area... @jaster220 @westMJim @Stacsh any of you getting hit???

Despite the airport recording -SN all night, have just a decent grass coating and wet pavement. Only a couple SHSN times when rates were greater. Compared to my midnight amount, we may have added another 1/2"

[whatitdo]

On 1/16/2021 at 9:35 AM, Tom said:

I'm seeing a good signal for some pretty good LES bands coming off of LM later tonight through Monday...you could get lucky and pick up a few inches...0.30qpf can easily fluff up to 3-4" in spots...

 

 

Yeah this didn’t pan out simply bc it’s too warm. Above freezing and snow melting faster than falling. Only bout .5 inches on the ground only on grassy surfaces

[hlcater]

11 hours ago, Grizzcoat said:

I think it was 4 winters -2016 through 2010 winters without a 6" snowfall in a calendar day.  Everyone becomes due at some time climate speaking.  This includes the snowiest JAN - FEB of all time (2019') at DSM.  Now twice in the last 40 days- the last system didn't do it. Just 5.6" over 2 days. To be fair- the stat of 6" of snow in a calendar day is rather difficult for most when you think about it. Even MPLS sees the occurrence less than 35% of years in the 30 year climate record. I know for sure a 12" storm in a calendar day has only happened about a dozen times in the last 100 at MSP. Back to back days is WAY different. Someone has mentioned that snowfall AVG in the 30 year mean is quite down in the past decade in the region. That may be. But  Pretty sure MPLS is with DSM, but DSM is RIGHT on it's avg of 35.3 it sees in a winter ( 30 year mean) over the last 10 years (minus this one)-- which is on pace (27.9) to beat 35.3. It's all relative. As one could post that DSM is on pace to break top 10 seasonal snowfall again for the 4th time in the last 11-12 years. -- but that years of sub 18" would make this statement much different.  DSM could see no more accumulation snow the rest of the year and this entire statement could be written 180 the other way. Keep the faith folks- It can switch REAL quick.

Our region has not been fairing as bad as others in terms of the climate change snowfall deficits. Some areas are even seeing gains. The real losers are those out west and up towards the border.

[whatitdo]

snowfall has stopped already here; they were forecasting it to go on til evening but there's zilch on radar. Probably around 0.5 inches on grassy surfaces. It was prettier this morning before the melting began

[jaster220]

2 hours ago, whatitdo said:

snowfall has stopped already here; they were forecasting it to go on til evening but there's zilch on radar. Probably around 0.5 inches on grassy surfaces. It was prettier this morning before the melting began

Yep. My grass coating was gone b4 noon lol. Models are blowing chunks in this borderline thermal conditions.

[whatitdo]

5 minutes ago, jaster220 said:

Yep. My grass coating was gone b4 noon lol. Models are blowing chunks in this borderline thermal conditions.

If theres not at least a WWA i feel it’s better to just not even bother - frustrating for january standards indeed