Well, the first widespread "decent" winter storm of the winter is essentially over. I can hear the fat lady singing down the hall. Overall, it was a nice little storm and did pretty much what I advertised. (Thank God!) Most areas picked up 2-6" of snow with a glazing of ice to cap things off. These are some of the snowfall reports that have come in as of 1:25 AM Friday night.

The next phase is the...

The winter storm continues its march east across the area, Most spots have seen at least 2-4" of snow (locally 5") with a howling wind. Here are some reports from the Iowa Mesonet. There's been more in spots, it just hasn't been publicly reported,

Now the transition is on from snow to sleet to freezing rain. Then some areas will even see a period of light rain or drizzle as temperatures reach or ev...

Snow is falling at my house in Marion, Iowa and will quickly advance east across the rest of my area through early afternoon. It will be heavy at times accompanied by gusty winds up to 30 mph. Low visibilities and snow covered roads will make for difficult travel conditions.

The widespread accumulating snow will eventually mix with sleet, freezing rain and even rain in the south towards evening. Th...

Widespread accumulating snow along with a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain at times, will spread across the area from late Friday morning through Saturday morning. Snow accumulations of 2-6 inches are likely, along with ice accumulations of up to 1/4 of an inch. Warnings or advisories are in effect for the whole area.

The majority of the ice is expected to occur south of HWY 20, especia...

The 18z (late afternoon) model runs are all in and I'm passing them along. All but the GFS have colder thermal profiles. If that holds most of the icing will be from roughly HWY 30 south, especially I-80 south. All areas will see snow though before the transition in the south sometime Friday evening. 

I think totals from approximately I-80 south will be in the 2-4" category (heaviest near I-80) wit...

A winter storm warning has been issued for a large part of my area beginning Friday at noon and lasting through the day Saturday. Snow and freezing rain will create hazardous travel conditions. Here's the area involved in the watch. Many surrounding counties are under an advisory.

Here are the specifics of the warning.

 Here's some details on timing and precipitation type.

I'll be back later with the...

RIddle me this. What do you get when warm moist air over-runs cold dense arctic air? Warm advection snow! That is the set-up that will lead to our winter storm Friday afternoon and night.The arctic high with its frigid temps is directly over us Thursday. By Friday it advances into the Ohio Valley and the return flow on its backside sends a slug of mild juicy air up and over the chill before it can...

When I'm wondering about weather folklore and historical events this is the man I go to. With more than 50 years of statistical and observational research, he's the dude! When it comes to lunar cycles, woolly bear caterpillars, insects, bugs, and animals, he tracks them, records them, and establishes ties to weather patterns. He's a knowledgeable and interesting man. His name is Steve Gottschalk b...

So far we've had it pretty good this winter. After a little scare around Halloween we've enjoyed well above normal temperatures in December and so far January too. But. all good things must end and signs are now pointing towards colder weather that could last into much of February. So far January temperatures look like this half way through the month.

Look what the GFS (and to some degree the EURO)...

The NWS has issued a winter weather advisory for late tonight and early Wednesday from about I-80 north. A fast moving period of warm advection will result in a minor period of freezing rain or drizzle. Forcing is weak so amounts will be very light. generally .05" or less. Just enough to create a glaze that could be very slick on any untreated surface.

The specifics for much of my area from the NWS...