- Jan 31, 2018

SUPER BLUE BLOOD MOON OR NOT, WINTER IS COMING BACK...

If you're up and at it early Wednesday you might want to check to see if the Lunar Trifecta known as the Super Blue Blood Moon is visible. If clouds aren't obstructing the sky in your area, it's worth a few minutes to view this rare event.

The "Super" part comes from the fact the Moon will be about 14-percent larger and 30-percent brighter than normal due to its closer-than-normal approach to the Earth. With this being the second full moon in the month of January, it's also a "Blue Moon." The "Blood" part of the name originates from the reddish hue the Moon will turn during the total lunar eclipse. It's the first time in 156 years all three will take place at the same time.

The event will begin at 5:48 a.m. CST and will continue through 7:24 a.m. CST. The Moon will set prior to the full eclipse timeline playing out, however the United States will see the best part of the event, known as totality.

At 5:48 a.m. CST, the bright full Moon will begin to get darker in the top left portion as the shadow of Earth begins blocking direct sunlight.

Between 5:48 a.m. and 6:51 a.m. CST, Earth's shadow will completely block direct light to the Moon. During this time, the Moon become dimmer and it will turn a red hue. Starting at 6:51 a.m., during totality, you'll only have 30 minutes to observe before the Moon begins to set and the Sun begins to rise.

In regard to forecast cloud cover, there are two areas of clouds expected to develop and push through the Midwest. The first batch of thick cloud should clear Eastern Iowa enough to at least allow a fair view with intermittent clouds. A second area of cloud cover will push in from the northwest. Timing is difficult to forecast on an hour-by-hour basis, however there should be enough of a break to at least observe the Super Blue Blood Moon for a few minutes in most locations..................................................

One thing is for sure, the clouds will clear by Thursday as a a strong push of dry polar air surges through the Midwest. After a mild Wednesday, temperatures are expected to hold in the the teens and low 20s in my area.

Far worse will be the wind chills which could remain below zero as far south as Iowa and Illinois.

With the return of colder air also comes the chance of snow on Saturday. Models are still coming into agreement on the track and intensity of the system but Tuesday's runs were a bit more bullish on available moisture and snow amounts. This will not be a major storm but there could be enough accumulation to be a nuisance with some slick roads. The EURO shows this for accumulation.