Dec 13
As a whole, we still feel good about our accumulation ideas that we’ve had out a few days now…widespread 4-5″ of snow is a good bet for most of central…
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Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/friday-night-saturday-winter-storm/
Dec 12
Before we discuss what may lie ahead closer to Christmas, our going forecast for Friday night and Saturday’s snow storm hasn’t change…4-5″ for the greater Indianapolis region by late Saturday morning.
Since really back in the middle of October we noted a distinct pattern change that has resulted in a colder than normal regime around these parts ever since. As we look ahead, there really aren’t any indicators that would suggest we’ll deal with warmer than normal air for any period of significant time through the remainder of the year. Furthermore, there are multiple computer models hinting that we’ll have to deal with a significant winter storm and potentially a shot of brutal cold as we rumble closer to the busy Christmas week.
It’s very important to note that we still have several days to watch the goings on for Christmas week, but the stage has at least been set for the possibility of a storm of “importance” being around the region as we near that particular time period.
Confidence is growing on brutal cold (most likely record-breaking) initially dumping into the Plains states towards the latter portion of next week. With time, we think this cold slugs it’s way east. Before the arctic intrusion gains control of the Mid West and Ohio Valley, we think this is the area that stands the greatest chance of dealing with a major winter storm. We have strong ensemble support (pictured below) of the evolution of the overall pattern, but we caution that the precise details will have to be ironed out.
The “sensible” weather that would ensue here across central Indiana could vary wildly from a significant full-blown winter storm with all of the precipitation falling in the form of a wintry variety (i.e. snow, sleet, freezing rain) to a situation that features a western track with briefly milder air surging north into portions of the region and leading to a rain-to-snow situation. The accumulation ideas would swing from a significant, plowable, snow storm to as little as a coating with arctic air blowing in behind the rain to snow scenario.
At the end of the day right now we’re confident on two things: 1.) a major winter storm around the Mid West/ Ohio Valley as we near Christmas week and 2.) brutal arctic air swinging into the area around Christmas. Questions will have to be answered as we move ahead to determine the precise precipitation amounts and type.
In closing, just for fun, we thought we’d provide a look at the latest European forecast model data. Here’s a look at the upcoming 10 day European model snowfall forecast. Of course, these amounts account for the 4-5″ expected here tomorrow night and Saturday, but (2) additional systems also add to the potential growing snow pack…a clipper system Monday and the “more important” system next weekend. Stay tuned.
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/old-man-winter-jabbing-now-but-is-the-knock-out-punch-coming/
Dec 11
Latest data in house still suggests a plowable snow is ahead for most of central Indiana this weekend. We think wintry precipitation expands northeast to encompass all of the region between 7pm-9pm Friday evening (southwest to northeast). This wintry precipitation still appears to take the form of all snow for IND and points north, but we caution that south-central Indiana communities will have to deal with a mixed bag of precipitation, including sleet and perhaps some freezing rain along with the snow. The primary snow zone will have no trouble seeing snow amounts of 4-5 inches, but for south-central Indiana neighborhoods, snowfall accumulations appear to be closer to 2 inches, with additional accumulations of sleet also possible. Needless to say, we feel pretty good about our initial snowfall forecast posted last night in our 7-Day forecast video (always available to the right of these posts in the video player). The limiting factor, in our opinion, of even higher snowfall totals will be due to the speed of the system. We think this is primarily a quick 6-8 hour “thump and go” type snow storm followed by some lingering light snow/ snow showers and gusty winds Saturday PM. The sunshine returns for Sunday along with another surge of bitterly cold air with highs in the 20s.
Friday night-Saturday Snow Storm Highlights:
Our attention then turns to what may lie ahead Christmas week. After the chance of some brief “relaxation” from the current bitterly cold pattern, we look to reload the cold with authority around Christmas week. In fact, if latest data comes to fruition, the current cold would pale in comparison to what lies ahead. Additionally, a rather significant storm system could precede the arctic blast. It’s far too early to talk specifics on precipitation type or amounts, but don’t be surprised if a storm of “significance” is on the maps as we approach Christmas week…
The latest ensemble plot from the GFS and European (below) agree on first class cross-polar flow setting up shop, which will help refrigerate the Lower 48 with some seriously bitter air just in time for Christmas. Stay tuned…
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/snow-talk-and-a-look-ahead-towards-christmas-week/
Dec 11
Our colder than normal pattern has really been in place since mid October. Looking ahead, despite some potential brief “relaxation” from the cold a few days next week, the mid to long range pattern continues to look colder than normal. Here’s a look at December so far, temperature-wise. Note the presence of the southeast ridge keeping that particular portion of the lower 48 warmer than normal, so far. Everywhere else, the freezer door has been left open!
What a difference a year makes, snow-wise, as well! Here’s a look at the snow cover on this date last year compared to present. Amazingly, this year, nearly 64% of the country is snow covered compared to 31% on this date last year.
The combination of more than normal snow and colder air for the majority of the country can be traced back to the expanding snow pack across Canada earlier this fall. Now, the cold and snow are essentially in “feed back” mode with one another, as the overall pattern ahead is one that’s plenty cold…and snowy.
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/what-a-difference-a-year-makes/
Dec 10
Considering we’re only a third of the way through December, we’re certainly running “snowier” than normal at this very early stage in the game. As we look ahead at the upcoming 10 days, or so, we see this snowier than normal pattern continuing with multiple systems to contend with over the course of the upcoming couple weeks. Up next will be the threat of some light snow showers and flurries with reinforcing arctic air Wednesday PM. Nothing significant is anticipated here on Wednesday, accumulation-wise, but snow showers will blow through the area Wednesday afternoon. The latest high-resolution NAM shows this well.
Then our attention turns to a developing winter storm for the weekend. We think clouds increase Friday and snow develops Friday night into early Saturday. Here’s a look at the latest GFS forecast model, valid Friday night.
Fast forward that to Saturday morning and snow grows heavier…
The GFS suggests a weak surface low tracks into eastern Ohio with backlash snow showers and embedded squalls continuing here Saturday night into Sunday.
It’s important to remember that we’re still a few days out from this event and I can guarantee you things will change as we go through the course of the upcoming few days that will require us to do some adjusting to our forecast Friday-Sunday. That said, at this early stage in the game, unlike with our last storm, I’d favor areas from IND and points north as the place where heavier snow falls this go around.
Latest GFS ensembles suggest something similar to the operational run shown above with one low tracking into the eastern Ohio Valley as another coastal low develops.
The European ensembles provide an “intriguing” look for an Ohio Valley winter weather event this weekend, as well.
A couple of additional items to consider at this early juncture- this will be a fast moving winter storm so that will have an impact on snowfall accumulation. Additionally, there’s also the chance enough warm air aloft advects (WAA or warm air advection) into the southern portions of the region to result in “mixing” issues (i.e. sleet and freezing rain). In the primarily “snow zone” Friday night-Saturday (again, we’re currently targeting IND and points north for the snow zone) several inches of snow could accumulate.
Here’s an early look at what the latest mid-range forecast models are seeing in terms of potential accumulations with this event. Top to bottom: ECMWF, GFS, and Canadian. Stay tuned, we’ll have another update later! Enjoy your day!
Permanent link to this article: https://indywx.com/snowy-pattern-continues/
