The lull continues......

As December 2011 gets ready to come to an end, we had an incredibly mild start to the 2011-2012 winter season.  It was almost as if mothernature decided to skip winter and jump right into spring with temperatures well into the 40s for much of the month.  Chicago O'Hare airport officially recorded 1.7" of snow this month which is well below the average of 8.3" for the month.  


So, the million dollar question asked is........what's in store for 2012?  The picture below helps illustrate the overall pattern across the U.S.  You can see the jet stream from northern Washington through North Dakota and stretch down through Tennesse and back up across the northeast.  Typically with this type of flow, we have clippers systems that move through, however, the warm air from the Pacific is able to push into the midwest helping temperatures stay well above normal. 

There are signs of colder air moving into the Midwest to start the new year, but they are short lived.  The next couple weeks show the same pattern continuing, but historically speaking, we should finally start seeing snow events, not rain events through Jan and Feb.   Only time will tell, so make sure to keep following us on our blog and twitter!


Eric Szos
Chief Meteorologist

1st Measurable Snowfall

Chicago was well on its way to breaking a record for the latest date with its 1st measurable snowfall.  That changed, however, as an Alberta clipper system moved through the area.   Anywhere from a trace to 1.0" was recorded across the Chicago metro area and into northern Indiana.

     

 Courtesy of the NWS

 

With O'Hare recording 0.4" of snow this past event, Chicago ties for the 5th latest date to record measurable snowfall.   The record still stands at Dec.16th, 1965.  If this past system would have stayed to the south, it's likely that we would have broken this record since the next 7 days appear to show no snow coming up.   A strong system could develop and move across the Great Lake region by next Wednesday the 14th, however, this appears to be a rain producer at this time.   

Stay tuned!

Eric Szos
Chief Meteorologist

Today's Snow

With the east coast getting hammered with continuous rain, the last thing they need right now is cold temperatures... Well, unfortunately that is going to be the case today. Not only will they receive bitter cold temperatures, but snow will be an issue today as well.

With the heaviest snow falling in the Appalachians today, areas near at lower elevations still could see snow as well. Accumulations for these lower areas may only be a dusting to an inch at most, but with the current rain, this will make for very slushy conditions. 

This system will continue to move northeastward tonight giving parts of New England a chance at receiving snow tomorrow. 

  

The area shaded in lighter blue should see two to four inches of snow, while the darker blue should see three to five inches. This rain should start to switch over to snow in the higher elevations this afternoon and will not end until later tonight. 

Temperatures within the rain filled areas looked to get below freezing, so this will definitely be a hazard for icy conditions. 

~Meteorologist Heather Brinkmann

Rain to Snow

The heavy rain will continue across these eastern states today before moving northeast into New England tomorrow. While this rain moves out this area today, snow will make its way in.

This is the area expecting a decent amount of snowfall for Wednesday. If this low pressure system sets up as expected, significant snowfall will visit the Appalachian Mountains Wednesday into Thursday.

NOAA

The current HPC Winter Weather Forecast expects four to eight inches across the outlined areas tomorrow.

Once this system moves out on Wednesday, much cooler and drier weather will settle into the area. Say goodbye to those 70s, because the 30s and 40s are moving in!


~Meteorologist Heather Brinkmann

Today's Forecast

The U.S. is quite quiet today, but this is what we are currently monitoring. This is the same set of snow that was seen in Texas and Oklahoma yesterday. There is some embedded bands of heavier snow within this. West Burlington, IA just reported an inch of snow. All in all, it is starting to weaken and will do so as it makes its way northeast throughout the morning. I expect this to turn to more of a lighter snow/rain as it reaches our area and as the sun starts to heat us up.

Sticking to our area, northeast IL will have some scattered lake effect flurries throughout the day today. I only expect a dusting at most.

~Meteorologist Heather Brinkmann