WeatherNotions

Frequent reports of thunder roared through Ohio in the early hours of the morning, as a large transformer was reported to have been blown out in central Toledo. Power outages are still reported throughout the Glass City as Level 1 snow emergencies are still active for much of northern Ohio.

Buckeyetraffic.com reports most of northern Ohio as having moderate snow and icing conditions at the time of this writing, but good news for the area as the majority of winter nastiness is quickly moving through the state.

The Journal Sentinal out of Milwaukee reports this morning that nearly a foot of snow, with accompanying strong winds blasted Mitchell International Airport last evening stranding many motorists and even shutting down government and business operations.

Chicago didn’t fare much better as hundreds of flights were canceled at O’Hare International Airport as up to 7 inches of snow and ice pounded the region. Even the Metra Electric service (train) was shut down because of frozen wires.

An enormous list of schools (WGN) and services have been closed for the city and suburbs due to the inclement conditions. I was surprised scrolling through the list to see several libraries as well.

The snow and ice that pounded the midwest will roll through the northeast through tomorrow morning with a consistent vigor. Amounts of up to 8″ will occur in many areas with emphasis on Massachusetts, southern Vermont & New Hampshire, and portions of southern New York State. Amounts of a foot or more in some areas is not out of the realm of possibilities.

Snow in the upper great plains and upper Midwest over the weekend is definitely in the cards. I would not be surprised if a blizzard warning or two is issued for those regions and as the system continues to stream along the northern tier during its brisk track.

More snow is also on the way for the Pacific Northwest, with the usual heavy accumulations in mountainous terrain.

More details tomorrow as I am swamped today trying to keep things chugging along.

Please be sure to view our Advisory and Radar Centers for the latest updates and developments.

As always stay tuned to your favorite weather outlet, stay informed, and stay safe!

cheers,

–patrick

The Las Vegas Sun reports this morning, that Clark County School District officially declared a snow day for today, as more than six inches of snow fell in the valley yesterday evening blasting previous snow records right out of the ‘sands’, and marking the first official snow day for the district since January of 1979. Congratulations kids!!

The Pacific Northwest also had to confront the snow issues we discussed yesterday, and will continue to do so for a bit. KING-TV reports snow causing hazardous conditions throughout their viewing area, with accumulations already over two feet deep in mountainous terrains, and the respectable accumulations we discussed yesterday occurring at lower elevations. Tacoma Public Utilities reports that residents unaccustomed to the snowfall have begun to tax their utility grid, and requested that customers limit usage during peak times, with hefty bills guaranteed in their future. KOMO-TV already has school closings listed for the region today at 3:45am local time. Enjoy the snow!!

The liquid precipitation we mentioned for the southwest yesterday has already moved out of the area. For today, substantial rainfall is not anticipated, while some generalized areas of rain will fall along the central and southern plains.

Snows in the Pacific Northwest will continue today as the Arctic Express keeps on chugging in, additional snows of more than one foot are quite likely especially along the Cascades in Oregon and California, with a tad in the Klamath Mountains as well as the “White Mountain” – Mount Shasta.

The ice storm we discussed yesterday is setting up nicely and along the same general track as well. Beginning this afternoon freezing rain and sleet will begin along the western axis of northeastern Kansas and southeastern Nebraska, continuing to spread ENE towards northern Ohio through tomorrow morning. Slight temperature differences at the surface will determine the exact track of the mixed precipitation, with liquid on the southern extent and so forth. Ice accumulations of 1/2″ or more is still in the cards for some areas within the track.

Additionally, heavy snowfall will occur on the northern extent of this line within the same time frame where widespread accumulations of around 8″ are likely, with some areas (northern IA, WI/IL border) having a chance to approach the foot mark.

The heavy snows will continue on an easterly track Friday through Saturday where central and southern New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and surrounding areas will see respectable snowfall. Icing is still a possibility on the southern fringe of the system as it moves through.

The strong arctic blitzkrieg we discussed for the Pacific Northwest yesterday is coming together nicely. Snows will begin to spread from the coast into the northern Rockies and into Oregon through this evening with total accumulations in the Cascades of a foot or more. Lower terrains should expect snowfall with this event due to the nature and breadth of the airmass.

Tomorrow significant freezing rain is possible on a line from the Iowa-Missouri border through the western fringes of Lake Erie as southwesterly flow aloft will setup a nice temperature inversion above the cold air at the surface where accumulations above .5 inch are possible. It is essentially a classic setup for freezing rain if it all comes together, which NAM thinks is likely. This potential will shift to parts of Pennsylvania through Friday where dynamics will keep the surface air trapped in the mountainous terrain.