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Significant Weekend Winter Storm…

A significant winter storm will impact the heart of the state Friday night into Saturday evening.  The National Weather Service has already hoisted Winter Storm Watches, and for good reason, as significant impacts are expected from this system, including in and around the Indianapolis area.

An area of low pressure will track off the lee of the Rockies Friday morning, central Plains Friday afternoon, and southeastern Illinois Saturday morning.  A tight thermal gradient will result in temperatures into the lower 70s just to the south of the track, while areas north of the low remain around freezing, including central Indiana.  This gradient will also support banding features and incredibly heavy snowfall rates late Friday night and Saturday within the heavy snow zone.  Snowfall rates of 1″ to 2″ per hour are possible, leading to very difficult travel Saturday, and total accumulations in the range of 6″ to 10″.  Add in a gusty wind over 30 MPH and you have the makings for a day that’s best served off the roads and indoors Saturday.

Just south of where the heaviest band of snow sets up, a period of sleet and freezing rain is also possible before a cold rain falls far downstate.  Precipitation will end from northwest to southeast Saturday night and the weekend will wrap up dry Sunday- when the heart of the state will be digging out from a significant snow event.  We’ll continue to keep a close eye on things.

Forecast Discussion, Freezing Rain, Sleet, snow, Windy, Winter Storm

Heavy Snow Targets Southern; Eastern Parts Of The State…

Snow will continue to expand across southern and eastern Indiana as we progress through the evening hours.    Additionally, snowfall intensity will increase overall into the overnight hours across southeast Indiana.

Radar at 7:15p shows heavy snow across southern Indiana.

Our latest snowfall forecast is vastly unchanged from this morning, with the exception of expanding the 3″ to 6″ area a bit further west.  Within this zone there will be a few reports of 8″ to 10″ before things wind down Wednesday afternoon.

Snow will continue to fall through the overnight and into Wednesday morning before eventually diminishing across eastern parts of the state early Wednesday afternoon.  At times, snow will be heavy and we continue to expect tough travel tonight into the daytime Wednesday across southern and eastern Indiana.  When shoveling and cleaning things up Wednesday, remember this snow event will take on a heavy, wet characteristic.

Forecast radar 1a, courtesy of weatherbell.com.
Forecast radar 8a, courtesy of weatherbell.com.

After a mostly dry and quiet time of things Wednesday afternoon and Thursday, our next storm system will approach Friday evening.  This event will also have a wintry flavor to it and the potential is present for additional ice and snow accumulation Friday night into Saturday.  If you have travel plans this weekend we recommend keeping close tabs on the forecast!

As mentioned in this morning’s video update, the longer range pattern is one that continues to suggest colder than average temperatures will rule the day.  Until we can shake that negative NAO we don’t anticipate any major improvements in this pattern.  Remember, we’re only the messenger… 🙂

Forecast Discussion, Forecast Models, snow, Unseasonably Cool Weather, Winter Storm