Updraft: December 31, 2010 Archive

Storm two in the que

Posted at 7:08 AM on December 31, 2010 by Craig Edwards
Filed under: Winter storms

The path of the second low pressure center is now projected slightly further west. This puts the heaviest snow in western Minnesota and the Dakotas later today and tonight.

Looking for the silver lining, we are in the midst of a little lull. Winds have dropped off in western Minnesota this morning and only a small patch of residual snow was depicted on radar in far northeast Minnesota. However, temperatures have fallen sharply from readings in the the forties last evenng over southeast Minnesota.

Moisture is gathering in Iowa at daybreak. Snow will breakout in southwest Minnestoa and southeast South Dakota during the late morning. A mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain is on tap for the Twin Cities

With the track of the low moving further west, the bulk of the moisture will miss the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin. Total snowfall accumulation around the metro may approach an inch or two. Let's see what falls from the sky this afternoon.

NOAA's graphic on the most likely area to receive eight inches of snow or more with this storm.

Link to NWS Chanhassen Winter Storm page.

Storm tracking further west

Posted at 11:16 AM on December 31, 2010 by Craig Edwards (2 Comments)
Filed under: Winter storms

Surface pressure pattern and temperatures depicted by the Rapid Update Cycle model valid at 9pm.

The center of low pressure that was expected to track from eastern Kansas to eastern Minnesota today, now appears to be on a path that takes the center of the low even further west.

This results in a slight modification of the forecast. The heaviest snow of more than six inches remains likely in the Red River Valley, but the winds may not be as strong due to the close proximity of the low pressure center. However, when the storm center begins to pull away later tonight the winds will blow and drift the snow in the eastern Dakotas and western Minnesota.

For the Twin Cities there will be a quick-hitting burst of sleet and snow this afternoon. A strong push of drier air at mid levels of the atmosphere could choke off the precipitation this evening. Nonetheless, there may be enough snow and sleet to ice up the roadways this afternoon and early evening.

CE