***MAJOR WINTER STORM***
A major winter storm is on track to slam the forecast
area....A band of heavy snow will fall from Southwestern MN up through
Northwestern WI...Meanwhile a band of freezing rain will fall from Southeastern
MN into parts of Southwestern WI....Just expecting mainly all rain in Southern
WI....Yesterday we were concerned about about how much warm air would be around
before the CAA kicked in...That no longer looks to be a problem for much of the
FA....Still my Southern areas will see more of a mixed of precip....We were also
concerned about the drier air that is flowing into the FA....This won't be a
factor anymore, but will help boost the snowfall rates as it won't be as strong,
and the system will over come the drier air much faster...The somewhat drier air
will enhance the lift....We should see another round of thunderstorms with heavy
snow, or what we like to call thundersnow.....The only adjustments need to the
forecast was to delay the start of the precip....Start it later tonight....The
other adjustment that was needed was to take out the sleet wording in my Central
and Northern areas....
This major winter storm will have major impacts on travel
starting later tonight and lasting through tomorrow....Don't think blowing and
drifting snow will be that much of a problem, as it looks like a heavy wet snow,
however if we can keep some more drier air around and cool off the middle and
lower levels of the atmosphere then we could see near whiteout conditions and
blizzard conditions from blowing and drifting snow, along with the heavy snow
that is falling.....The way everything is shaping up this looks to be the
biggest winter storm that we have seen this winter 2012/2013....For storm totals
see map below....
This could be a very dangerous storm....If you must travel
from tonight and tomorrow, let someone know your planned route time of departure
and estimated time of arrival..Carry a winter safety survival kit in your
vehicle, if you become stuck remain with your vehicle and call for help...Best
thing one can do is delay your travel plans...
So how much snow are we forecasting...Here is the
map....
