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Category: Heavy Snow
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2020/02/12/video-short-term-update-on-tonight-thursday/
Feb 12
VIDEO: Heavy Snow Builds In This Afternoon; Arctic Front Hits Tomorrow…
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Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2020/02/12/video-heavy-snow-builds-in-this-afternoon-arctic-front-hits-tomorrow/
Feb 11
Client Brief: Time To Gas Up The Snow Plows…
Type: Impactful Wintry Weather
What: Accumulating snow and sleet
When: Wednesday afternoon through Thursday evening
Temperatures: Lower 30s falling into the 10s by Thursday evening
Wind: Southeast 10-15 MPH Wednesday afternoon shifting to the north Wednesday night and northwest Thursday. Winds will gust 20-30 MPH Thursday evening.
Blowing/ Drifting: Light to moderate by Thursday evening
Pavement Impacts: Salting and plowing will be required
A busy 48 hours awaits for central Indiana as a winter storm begins to impact the region. Mid and high level cloudiness will continue spreading over the region this evening and give way to a lowering and thickening cloud deck overnight and Wednesday morning. This is all thanks to a developing area of low pressure over the Ark-la-tex region. This surface low will track northeast into the TN Valley Wednesday and into the central Appalachians Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Long time residents of the Hoosier state know this is a favorable track for impactful wintry weather across these parts and this will be no exception.
Moisture will begin to lift northeast during the day Wednesday and reach the I-70 corridor around or just after lunchtime. Across the southern half of Indiana, this moisture should primarily fall in the form of a cold rain (perhaps a bit of sleet initially as the precipitation moves in). However, further north, trouble will ensue. The air won’t only be colder at the surface, but the depth of cold air will be much deeper. This will result in precipitation that should predominantly fall in the form of a sleet-snow “concoction” along and north of the I-70 corridor where we think an axis of 2″ to 4″ of snow/ sleet will accumulate with this storm- including Indianapolis. Further north, less sleet is anticipated and will result in heavier snowfall totals. The northern Indianapolis ‘burbs and points north to include Lafayette, Kokomo, Logansport, Ft. Wayne, and Muncie can expect 4″ to 6″ of snow with this storm system. Most of that will fall Wednesday afternoon into Wednesday night with additional lighter snowfall accumulation occurring with “wrap around” snow showers and embedded squalls Thursday afternoon into evening. (The Indiana Snowbelt (you know who you are :-)) can expect additional heavier snow accumulation, courtesy of lake effect).
A brief, but potent shot of arctic air will pour into the region Thursday afternoon and set us up for widespread single digits by Friday morning, including the threat of some sub-zero temperatures where the heaviest snowpack is laid down.
Confidence: High
Next Update: Wednesday morning
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2020/02/11/client-brief-time-to-gas-up-the-snow-plows/
Feb 11
VIDEO: Winter Storm Inbound For The Ohio Valley Wednesday Into Thursday; Shot Of Arctic Air Follows…
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Feb 10
Evening Review Of Data; Early Idea Of Heaviest Snow Axis Wednesday-Thursday…
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Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2020/02/10/evening-review-of-data-early-idea-of-heaviest-snow-axis-wednesday-thursday/
Feb 09
Burst Of Snow This Afternoon; Storms And “Rumors” Of Storms This Upcoming Week…
The day is starting off on a cold note with some fog and low clouds around, but at least we’re dry (for now). That will begin to change here in a few hours as a burst of snow moves into the city around lunchtime. A brief period of moderate to heavy snow may whiten the ground just north of the city before a transition to a cold rain for the better part of the afternoon.
Further north, cold air will hang on longer and a more significant period of snow is expected through the afternoon and early evening. In fact, periods of heavy snow can be expected, including snowfall rates up to 1″ per hour at times. If you have travel plans to places such as Ft. Wayne, South Bend, or Logansport, we’d recommend preparing for slick travel and snow covered roads can be expected. This will be a wet and heavy snow. Pavement impacts will require salting and plowing across the northern 1/3 of the state this afternoon into the evening.
Here’s our snowfall forecast today:
The attention will then shift to a period of moderate to heavy rain through the evening and into the overnight across the I-70 corridor. By the time all is said and done Monday morning, widespread 1″ to 1.5″ is expected with the passage of this storm system. Good news? Most of the rain should be south of our area by the morning rush Monday.
High pressure will then settle into the Ohio Valley as we move into Monday evening and Tuesday, allowing a briefly quieter period of weather to arrive on the scene.
By this time, however, all eyes will shift to the southwest and our next storm system that should be brewing. While models differ on the specifics with this storm, the overall upper pattern suggests we need to remain on our toes with respect for the potential of additional winter weather stretching from the mid-MS Valley Wednesday, Ohio Valley Wednesday night into Thursday, and interior Northeast Thursday into Thursday night. A brief, but potent shot of arctic air would follow to close the work week- especially if we can get some snow down.
Should snow get laid down with this system across the OHV region, a cold arctic high would be capable of sending temperatures into the single digits to close the work week.
Stay tuned…
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2020/02/09/burst-of-snow-this-afternoon-storms-and-rumors-of-storms-this-upcoming-week/
Dec 16
Client Brief: Heavy Snow Bands Return Into The Overnight…
Type: Impactful Wintry Weather
What: Accumulating snow; mixed wintry precipitation
When: This evening into Tuesday morning
Temperatures: Lower to middle 30s, falling into the middle 20s Tuesday morning
Wind: Northeast shifting to the northwest Tuesday morning
Blowing/ Drifting: Minimal
Pavement Impacts: Plowing and salting will be required.
“Round 2″ is underway and we actually believe the overall snow shield will become more expansive with time through the late evening and overnight hours. Within this growing snow shield, embedded banding is expected that will include moderate to heavy snowfall rates. This continues to look like an I-70 special with respect to heaviest totals (7″ to 11″ range for storm totals). On either side of that heaviest snow zone, 4″ to 7” can be expected. On the north side, this is due to lighter intensity of snow (both with Part 1 and Part 2) and mixing issues on the south side.
Snow will exit the city just before daybreak, and southeast Indiana between 8a and 9a. Winds will shift to the northwest and an overall colder day is expected Tuesday, but at least we won’t have to worry about additional snow once past daybreak.
Cold air reinforcements will blow into town Wednesday with a couple snow showers across east-central Indiana. The bigger deal will be the cold, including temperatures that will remain stuck in the middle 20s through the daytime hours. Add in a stiff breeze and wind chill values will be in the 10s.
Confidence: High
Next Update: Tuesday morning
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2019/12/16/client-brief-heavy-snow-bands-return-into-the-overnight/
Dec 16
VIDEO: Heavy Snow Returns This Afternoon; Intense Banding Expected…
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Dec 15
Time For The Heavy Equipment: Localized Storm Totals Approach One Foot By The Time All Is Said And Done…
High resolution guidance started to show the snowier solutions earlier this evening and that trend has continued this evening. The consistency is great to see, but we also notice a couple of interesting elements “upstream” that will likely ultimately end up producing a memorable mid-December snow storm across central Indiana by the time all is said and done.
Before we talk specifics, here’s our updated snowfall forecast. Please note, this is expected total snowfall by daybreak Tuesday morning. We wouldn’t be shocked to hear of localized one foot amounts along the I-70 corridor.
Periods of heavy snow will come to an end during the overnight. We think by 3a to 4a, most of the snow from “round 1″ will be to our east and we’ll be left with clean up duties before a Monday morning rush that will likely still be heavily impacted. By the time the 1st round is finished, most of the I-70 corridor will be shoveling and plowing away 4″ to 6” of wet snow.
We’ll then get into the expected lull in the action through a good chunk of the daytime Monday. That said, curious eyes will be focused in on south-central MO mid-to-late morning as precipitation blossoms in response to a strengthening surface wave that will move northeast out of the Ark-la-tex and into the TN Valley tomorrow night.
This will promote an expanding shield of moderate to heavy precipitation moving northeast and overspreading central Indiana by mid afternoon Monday. For us here across central Indiana, this will fall as snow.
If you don’t have to travel tomorrow, we’d recommend staying home and off the roads. While conditions will improve late morning into early afternoon, travel conditions will go downhill in significant fashion by 3p to 4p Monday across central Indiana- including the metro.
Periods of snow, heavy at times, will continue into the overnight before pushing off to the east before sunrise Tuesday. By that time, the heart of central Indiana will be cleaning up from a double digit and most memorable mid-December snow storm.
We’ll be left with colder, but generally dry conditions Tuesday. Temperatures will remain below freezing through the day, but the majority of the region won’t be dealing with any additional snowfall after sunrise…
Gas up that snowblower! Next update will come early in the AM.
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2019/12/15/time-for-the-heavy-equipment-localized-storm-totals-approach-one-foot-by-the-time-all-is-said-and-done/
Sep 23
Something Doesn’t Jive…
I want to give a couple examples of significant conflicting signals- both short and long-term. The end result is a situation where long range, climate, and seasonal models are likely to have a very tough time not only in the medium to long range (2-4 week period), but thinking seasonally, as well (winter and next spring).
Short-term
To start, let’s look at the EPO. While strongly positive at present, both the EPS and GEFS pictured below take the EPO, or East Pacific Oscillation, negative in the coming couple of weeks.
A negative EPO pattern favors a trough across the eastern portion of the country, especially here in our neck of the woods, with western ridging.
All well and good, right? WRONG. The MJO, or Madden Julian Oscillation, is forecast to stall out into early October in Phase 1.
This time of year, Phase 1 argues strongly for eastern ridging and well above normal warmth while the western portion of the country can experience early wintry conditions.
Talk about contradiction! That’s what makes weather so fun and fascinating. Expect to be humbled often and to always learn! At various times of the year, select teleconnections can mean a lot more than other times of the year. For example, during the summer and fall, we lean heavily on the EPO, PNA, and MJO (if amplified). During the winter and spring, it’s important to take into account what the AO and NAO have to say. It’s important to know when to “pick and choose” when to use particular teleconnections… Furthermore, the various MJO phases (1-8) mean drastically different things at different times of the year. While lovers of chilly fall conditions have grown to hate an amplified Phase 1, they have to love it come winter (shown below). Just look at that difference!
Before jumping ahead to another example of “contradicting signals,” we’re confident the amplified MJO Phase 1 will carry the day through the short to medium range period. Note the strong agreement between the EPS and GEFS below with respect to temperature anomalies in the 6-10 day period.
With that said, there will be challenges within (the big difference as early as this weekend between the GFS and European operational data). A lot of that has to do with the “fight” between the EPO and MJO to take control.
As all of this unfolds across the East, the west will begin to cash in on early winter. Well below average cold and snowy conditions will begin to make headlines over the weekend into next week across not only the Rockies, but some of the low ground, as well. Should the MJO swing into Phase 2 (and I think it will towards mid-Oct), then watch out. We’ll be looking at a rather significant shift towards a much colder feel- and it’ll sting even more so with the late season heat over the better part of the next couple of weeks.
Flipping the page to winter (remember, our prelim. winter outlook will be posted later this week) and the contradiction continues. Upon looking at the current SST configuration, one could easily argue we’re talking about a La Nina winter unfolding ahead.
Meanwhile, the current SOI would suggest we’re in a moderate El Nino.
If you think this can’t wreck havoc even on the short-term forecast pattern, think again…
To close, while the conflicting data can create headaches at times, it’s more fascinating than ever trying to sift through the data and build our forecast(s). It’d be wise to expect more wild swings ahead- leave it to us to try and minimize the impacts of those swings in your day-to-day personal and professional lives. Accordingly, it’s also ultra-important to factor in additional items, such as solar and PDO into the equation for the upcoming winter.
Speaking of, without giving too much away, if I’m a winter weather fan (and I am), I wouldn’t worry in the least about the current warmth… 😉
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/2019/09/23/something-doesnt-jive/