Updraft: February 4, 2010 Archive

Sloppy storm rolls in

Posted at 8:34 AM on February 4, 2010 by Paul Huttner

Mixed precipitation bag will trend toward all snow tonight in Minnesota.

The guy who plows my driveway is making off like a bandit this year.

Don't get me wrong, my neighbor Howie is a great guy, and he deserves the business afte the past few winters. It's just that it would be much more economical to have our snow come in one or two big storms rather than getting 2" at a time like we've often seen this season.

Get ready to hear that chorus of snow plows again tomorrow.

Our next weather maker is brining more wintery weather to the Upper Midwest. We're actually getting off pretty lucky this time as the bulk of the storm will pass south. A MAJOR snow and ice storm is plowing through the central plains eastward into the Washington, D.C. area by Friday. As much as a foot of snow could fall in our nation's capitol.

Expect spotty scattered freezing rain and snow showers today. The bulk of the steadier snow should begin after about 6pm tonight and continue into Friday. The latest thinking from the weather lab is that we'll see a 1-2 punch this weekend.

Part one is the snow and mixed precip tonight into Friday. Right now, I expect anywhere from 2" to 4" anywhere from the metro south to the Iowa border. 1" to 2" looks more likely along I-94 from Alexandria to St. Cloud.

Models favor 2" to 4" snowfall for the metro and much of southern Minnesota by Friday night. Note additional accumulating snow Sunday and Monday.(Click on image for bigger picture.)

We should be in between systems Saturday. The next clipper-like system spins south for Super Bowl Sunday with another shot of snow lingering into Monday. A reinforcing shot of chilly polar air will follow for the first part of next week. We could pick up several more inches with this system Sunday night and Monday.

At least we're warming up in the short term. Temperatures should climb to and hover near freezing today and Friday.

Tempreatures climb into the 30s through Friday. Note the drop as polar air moves in again next week.

Keep track of changes in forecasts over the next 24-36 hours. This system may still throw us a curve or two before the weekend arrives.

-Twin Cities radar loop
-Sioux Falls radar loop
-Latest surface map
-Latest hourly surface reports

PH

Wintery Update: Slick AM rush Friday

Posted at 5:03 PM on February 4, 2010 by Paul Huttner

Icy MNDOT camera lens at I-394 & Winnetka typifies PM commute weather in the metro tonight.

Our next weather system is right on track so far.

A mixed bag continues to move northeast from Iowa and South Dakota. Radars are lighting up with the wintery mix as the main storm in Missouri sends moisture north.

Expect periods of freezing drizzle and snow into Friday morning. Thanks to warmer temperatures in the upper 20s and low 30s, road chemicals have been able to keep many main roads just wet. Still, untreated roads, sidewalks and parking lots will be icy underfoot tonight.

Friday morning should feature falling snow and yet another potentially messy AM commute. Expect wet to slippery roadways and ramps throughout the morning.

It still looks like we'll see the potential for 1" to 3" or so Friday after the mixed precip changes to all snow overnight. Much of southern Minnesota could see 2" to 4" with a chance of 4"+ in the west and southwest.

Snow should begin to taper later Friday and we'll catch a break Saturday before the next system in our busy westerly flow rides in Sunday.

Here are some sites to keep track of changing precipitation types overnight and early Friday.

Be safe!

-Twin Cities radar loop
-Latest hourly observations
-Twin Cities NWS advisories
-Twin Cities NWS forecast discussion
-Latest storm reports
-MNDOT traffic cams

PH