Category: ClientBrief

Jan 24

Client Brief: Heavy Snow Storm Rolls Into Town Overnight…

Updated 01.24.23 @ 6p

Type: Winter Storm

What: Heavy snow and gusty winds

When: Overnight tonight through Wednesday afternoon

Temperatures: Lower 30s

Wind: E 10 to 20 MPH with gusts of 30 MPH across southeastern IN. Shifting to the north Wednesday PM.

Blowing/ Drifting: Minimal due to the wet nature of the snow

Pavement Impacts: Plowing and salting will be required throughout the region.

Summary: Central Indiana remains on deck for a heavy snow storm that will begin late tonight across southern IN, reaching the city itself, between 1a and 2a. Snow will quickly become heavy at times, including rates of over 1″ per hour. Needless to say, area roadways, including primary roads, will quickly become snow covered. Latest guidance is also suggesting embedded convective snow bands (thunder snow is not out of the question) will pivot into the city and surrounding areas, especially just west and north, mid and late morning. This “deformation band” will likely lead to jackpot totals approaching double-digits, and we’ve beefed our snowfall forecast up to account for these bands. “System” snow will end from southwest to northeast as we progress through the afternoon. We’ll then await on upper level energy to deliver additional light to moderate snow at times Thursday (additional light accumulation can be expected). Buckle up, there’s additional winter weather to follow…

Confidence: High

Next Update: 7:30a Wed.

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/client-brief-heavy-snow-storm-rolls-into-town-overnight/

Dec 22

Client Brief: Use This Morning To Finalize Prep For Blizzard Conditions And Dangerous Cold Tonight – Christmas Eve…

Updated 12.22.22 @ 7:40a

Type: Severe Winter Weather

What: Heavy snow, blizzard conditions, dangerously cold temperatures

When: Late this afternoon through Christmas Eve

Temperatures: Falling from the upper 30s (Thursday afternoon) to 0° to 10° below zero (Friday morning).

Wind: NW 15-25 MPH, shifting to the WSW and increasing to 25-40 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH

Blowing/ Drifting: Severe

Pavement Impacts: Plowing and salting will be required throughout the region.

Summary: Light rain is overspreading central Indiana this morning as moisture is slowly pulled northward ahead of the approaching arctic cold front. That arctic front is still expected to plow across the state this afternoon (just after lunchtime across western IN, between 3p and 4p for Indianapolis, and by 7p – 8p for our far eastern IN neighbors). Once the front hits, you’ll notice a dramatic wind shift to the northwest and increase to 20-30 MPH with higher gusts, along with a temperature plummet. We’ll likely see temperatures fall more than 20° in less than 90 minutes once the arctic front passes.

As all of this is taking shape, a wave of low pressure will move from southwest IN late afternoon into eastern MI by Friday morning. Long time Hoosiers know that’s a classic track to deposit a nice snowstorm around these parts. Rain will change to snow in the city around, or just after, 4p and we’ll notice the swath of snow growing in overall coverage and intensity as the low pressure system deepens. Periods of heavy snow can be expected at times tonight.

Meanwhile, winds will continue to increase to 25-35 MPH sustained with gusts to 50 MPH tonight, continuing through the day Friday and into the first portion of Christmas Eve morning. These persistent strong winds won’t only potentially lead to power outages, but continuous blowing and drifting issues through the aforementioned period. Blizzard and whiteout conditions will continue at times. Snow removal efforts will likely have to continue into Christmas Eve to account for the severe blowing and drifting on area roadways, especially north-south roadways. While the heavy snow will come to an end early Friday morning, light snow and blowing snow will persist through the day Friday and into early Christmas Eve morning.

Finally, the dangerous cold is going to be a big problem with this multi-faceted winter storm. After we fall to below zero Friday morning, highs on Friday likely won’t make it back much above 0°. Add in the wind and wind chill values of more than 30° below zero can be expected.

Confidence: High

Next Update: This evening (video discussion)


Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/client-brief-use-this-morning-to-finalize-prep-for-blizzard-conditions-and-dangerous-cold-tonight-christmas-eve/

Dec 21

Client Brief: Dangerous Cold & Blizzard Conditions Arrive Thursday Night Into Friday…

Updated 12.21.22 @ 1:31p

Type: Severe Winter Weather

What: Heavy snow, blizzard conditions, dangerously cold temperatures

When: Thursday PM through Christmas Eve

Temperatures: Falling from the upper 30s (Thursday afternoon) to 0° to 10° below zero (Friday morning).

Wind: WSW 15-25 MPH, increasing to 25-40 MPH with gusts to 50 MPH

Blowing/ Drifting: Severe

Pavement Impacts: Plowing and salting will be required throughout the region.

Summary: Precipitation is anticipated to overspread central IN Thursday morning in the form of a light cold rain. Light rain will continue into the early afternoon hours with temperatures ranging anywhere from the mid to upper 30s. The arctic front will arrive into the city, itself around 4p to 5p and this is when we expect rain to quickly change to snow. As this takes place, surface low pressure is expected to ride northeast from southwest IN into northwester/ north-central Ohio, allowing a blossoming area of more widespread, heavier snow to fall across the region Thursday evening, continuing through the overnight period. To make matters more hazardous, temperatures will fall from the aforementioned mid-upper 30s early afternoon into the single digits by 9p to 10p. The rapid temperature fall will allow any/ all moisture to freeze and further complicate travel with the increasing snowfall rates.

Forecast models this afternoon are split between (2) camps: the weaker and more progressive NAM and European, and the more “revved up” GFS and Canadian guidance. With that said, we’ll lean towards the European/ NAM blend to build our snowfall forecast below (good luck measuring whatever falls ;-)), but will continue to keep a close eye on trends through the evening and tonight. Side note: We’ll have a more detailed video discussion posted this evening that will dive into the very latest data trends with our current storm, look ahead to another snow maker on deck early next week, a significant warm-up, and subsequent return of cold, wintry conditions. 

If all of this wasn’t enough, winds will increase in speed and turn gusty through the evening Thursday, continuing into and through the day on Friday, as well as Christmas Eve. Periodic gusts upwards of 40 to 50 MPH will lead to severe blowing and drifting snow, whiteout and blizzard conditions during this period. We strongly advise against traveling Thursday evening through Friday. “Wrap around” lighter snow and snow showers are expected to continue through the day Friday with temperatures struggling to make it much above the 0° mark. Severe blowing and drifting snow and blizzard conditions will continue Friday to combine with the dangerous cold.

The prolonged nature of such strong winds, combined with expected snowfall amounts will continue to lead to hazardous travel through Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, winds aren’t expected to diminish until Christmas morning. By this point, all eyes will be focused on the next snow maker due in here late Christmas night or early Monday in the form of a clipper system.

More on all of this later this evening in our updated video discussion.

Confidence: High

Next Update: By 7p Wednesday (video discussion)

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/client-brief-dangerous-cold-blizzard-conditions-arrive-thursday-night-into-friday/

Dec 19

Client Brief: Blizzard Conditions Develop Friday Into Christmas Eve…

Updated 12.19.22 @ 5:46p

Type: Severe Winter Weather

What: Heavy snow, blizzard conditions, dangerously cold temperatures

When: Thursday PM through Saturday

Temperatures: Falling from the lower 40s (Thursday afternoon) to 0° to 10° below zero (Friday morning).

Wind: WSW 15-25 MPH, increasing to 25-40 MPH with gusts to 55-60 MPH

Blowing/ Drifting: Severe

Pavement Impacts: Plowing and salting will be required throughout the region.

Summary: Normally, we wait another 24 hours closer to the onset of the storm before we initiate our official Client Briefs, but the combination of the intensity of this storm along with the timeframe when many folks will have travel plans, we wanted to get this product out earlier than normal. We strongly encourage having travel completed by Thursday evening.

In short, a severe winter storm continues to look like it’ll take aim on the region as we navigate the day Thursday. Rain is expected to develop during the day before mixing with and transitioning to snow Thursday night. Snow will become heavy at times Thursday night into the day Friday. Initially, this will be a heavy, wet snow, but as the arctic airmass engulfs the area, the “paste-like” snow will quickly transition to powder. Needless to say, the standard 10:1 measurements won’t work with this storm as the fluff factor kicks into high gear.

Unfortunately as this transition in snow type is taking place, winds will begin to increase. We anticipate major problems from severe blowing and drifting of snow by Friday, continuing through Christmas Eve. During the aforementioned time period, wind gusts in excess of 55 MPH will be possible. This will lead to impassable roadways across many areas, especially within the heavier snow zones below. Speaking of snow, we need another 24 – 36 hours before we can get more specific than included below. Areas across southern and eastern IN not currently within the “heavy snow zones” will still see several inches of accumulation and their own blowing/ drifting issues. Blizzard conditions can be expected across the entire area from a combination of the falling snow, snow already on the ground, and damaging wind gusts Friday into Christmas Eve. Drifts will be measured in feet, especially in the “open country.”

I’d like to encourage everyone to prepare for the bitterly cold airmass that will also grab headlines. Be thinking of ways to keep warm should you lose power. Unfortunately, with the expected wind, power outages will become an issue across the region. Please take the time now to inspect your winter storm safety kit and heed all products from the National Weather Service.

Confidence: High

Next Update: Tuesday morning (video discussion)

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/client-brief-blizzard-conditions-develop-friday-into-christmas-eve/

Feb 23

Client Brief: (2) Waves Of Wintry Precipitation Set To Impact Area…

Updated 02.23.22 @ 5:15p

Type: Impactful wintry weather

A light mixture of snow and freezing rain will overspread the region during the evening, continuing into the overnight hours.

What: Impactful wintry weather

When: Tonight and Thursday morning and Thursday afternoon through predawn Friday 

Temperatures: Middle 20s to lower 30s

Wind: East Northeast 10-20 MPH, shifting to the north late Thursday

Blowing/ Drifting: Minimal across n-central Indiana

Pavement Impacts: Plowing and salting will be required across n-central Indiana and points north. Salting required across southern and central Indiana.

Summary: (2) waves of moisture will stream over central Indiana between this evening and predawn Friday. The initial, lead wave of precipitation will feature a mixture of light snow, light sleet, and light freezing rain. “Light” is the key word, but area roadways will likely become slick through the evening and into tonight- including in and around Indianapolis-proper. In and around the I-70 corridor and points north, this precipitation is expected to primarily fall in the form of snow. Further south, a mixture of sleet and freezing rain is anticipated. While this will be light in nature, precipitation should be rather persistent, lasting up until, or just after, sunrise. By sunrise, areas in and around Indy and points north can expect between 0.50″ and 1.50″ of snow (should sleet mix in, amounts will be closer to the lighter end of the spectrum vs. if we stay mostly snow, amounts closer to 1.5″ can be expected). Further south, a light glaze (up to 0.1″) and light sleet is expected to be the predominant precipitation type with this initial wave of moisture.

We’ll then undergo a “lull” in the action mid morning into the early afternoon hours, but low pressure will be organizing off to our southwest and have eyes set on a northeast trek into the southern portion of the state Thursday evening. This will be when we anticipate the heavier precipitation to move across the region. Across southern IN, this should primarily fall in the form of a cold rain, but further north the same can’t be said: a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain is expected to redevelop Thursday afternoon and continue into the night before ending as light snow. Across n-central IN and points to the MI/ IL state line, all snow is anticipated.

Precipitation will diminish from southwest to northeast predawn Friday with high pressure regaining control of our weather to close out the work week (just a few light lingering snow showers are expected Friday). Please see our updated snow and ice forecast below that includes total amounts for both parts of this event.

Confidence: High

Next Update: 7:30a Thursday

Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/client-brief-2-waves-of-wintry-precipitation-set-to-impact-area/