Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Flooding Concerns Grow & I Will Make Sure A Part of Lafayette has a White Christmas

Abbey and Lauren Prangley were enjoying the quick half-inch of snow that fell in Lafayette before the change-over to an icy mush. My brother and I used to chase each other with shovels. But my girls actually were well behaved and Lauren loved her little broom that swept away the dusting. They certainly earned bonus points from Santa and I know that Christmas morning cannot come soon enough for them. Their older sister Megan also got some points for working on a present for Grandma and Grandad. If only this storm could have stayed all snow! But it evolved into another ice-maker. Here were the freezing rain totals from the Lafayette area.


First the good news! The worst of Ice Storm Part 2 or the Grinch storm is now over just be careful on the roadways this morning with all the standing water, lowland flooding, and leftover ice we have to deal with since the ground is still frozen. It is a very bad mix. Travel will continue to be tricky out there today but at least an improvement from yesterday's debacle or travel nightmare. Ice amounts did remain under a .25" but there were still some sporadic power outages in parts of Remington and Monon.

We will start with patchy fog and a little drizzle this morning. Then get ready for some light snow showers to break out in the afternoon
and early evening. I see little or no accumulation with this so even if we do not get our White Christmas at least it will be safer to spend with your loved ones.
If you want a White Christmas head north. The amazing part is that every part of Canada this year will have a White Christmas for the first time since 1971. Oh Canada! That is one impressive snowpack over much of North America and like we saw last January it is one of the most extensive North American snowpacks we have seen since the late 1970s. We are certainly in a weather cycle more reminiscent of the early 1950s. This snow pack does mean a lot for us here in Lafayette! Once we get any type of blocking going on in Canada or Greenland our chances of snow go way up! I think this could happen the latter part of January. Get ready snowhounds. This is my Christmas present to you!


Do we have any more wintry weather in the near future? Thursday night into early Friday we could have another band of freezing rain develop but it should quickly change to rain with much warmer temperatures. I will continue to monitor this and possible flooding on area rivers. Flood warnings have been posted on the Kankakee River in Newton County due to heavy precipitation and ice jams. It should not impact any residents in Indiana but this could change with another big rain-maker on the way Friday into Saturday which could produce thunderstorms. The models are not in agreement on amounts so hopefully the lighter amounts will win out.

Have a safe and Merry Christmas! If you do not want to travel to Canada for that White Christmas you do not have to go too far! I am heading up to Wisconsin to spend time with my family where there is over a foot of snow on the ground and more on the way. I am ecstatic and that really is my BIG PRESENT this year. It's the little things that amuse me. I will have a White Christmas without a doubt! Here is a picture sent to me from Oshkosh, W
isconsin from my sis Shelli! Yes, she certainly put me back in the Christmas spirit after two very harsh storms have hit our area with miserable rain and ice. I told her this shoulda and coulda been Lafayette. We would have had the 12 to 16 inches of snow on the ground. Shelli was talking at least 5 foot drifts and that is right, her mailbox had to be dug out. I will gladly help her and my relatives shovel when I arrive later today.


Thanks Shelli. Now I am on a mission. My goal is to bring some Wisconsin snow back with me on Christmas afternoon to Lafayette so I can throw some out on our lawn. This way I can officially say at least a small part of Lafayette had a White Christmas. I have the cooler ready! I may be just taking this snow thing a bit too far but it is me. Some folks go bonkers with the Christmas lights or big trees but SNOW is my thing. You should see me on Ground Hog Day. Anyway, this will be better than a snow machine and it will not cause any travel problems. I will be back for the late show Christmas night with the evidence and more pictures. I will try to check in with you from the winter wonderland of Wisconsin. God bless!

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

good morning everyone and merry christmas did anyone else lose power last night on the south side of lafayette? well off to work give my self plenty of travel time..
mt lafayette

Anonymous said...

I'M by the fairgrounds and I did not lose power! Thank goodnes! Mike Have a Very Merry christmas!

Bloggers I will try to check back in a little later on today! But for now have a great day and merry christmas Eve and Christmas Day!

Mike my final rainfall as of now anyway is .68" Inch!

Justin in Lafayette

Anonymous said...

I see a lot of precipitation coming, this will be rain later on?

Anonymous said...

Good Morning All You!

Happy Christmas Eve... We awoke to a surprising sight. There is still some of that snow from yesterday, left! It is one frozen mess with ice...but at least it is white. And makes the rain a little more endurable. And, I don't see ice on the power lines, so that is a major plus!

Driving into Indy this afternoon. Hoping for better roads! Praying you all stay safe and blessed this Christmas...

Annie in Attica

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas to all!! Too bad we aren't expecting more than just a dusting today but at least mother nature will keep the roadways kinda clear for those who are traveling!

Carrie, West Lafayette

Anonymous said...

Well everybody Some models Do show us ending this system with a few snow showers to flurries while others say it will stay all rain! I guess this means we will keep snow chances possible in our forecast and see how it plays out!

I just wanted to get that out so everybody has an idea of what the models show! This way if we don't see those snow flurries no one is disappointed!!!

Although I do whnt to see at least a few flurries myself! :)

Currently we are in a dry slot but we will see the rain again! Here in the next Few min! So Have a great day bloggers I will check back in later!

Be safe it your travel please!

Justin in Lafayette

Anonymous said...

S. Newton County got lots of "sno-cone" ice yesterday which quickly froze to ice cube ice (wasn't sure how to describe it!). I thought it would never stop but fortunately we did not lose our power like we did in Ice Storm I. I was raised in NW Indiana so winter weather doesn't stop me in my tracks, but this ice GOT me! I'll take mountains of snow any day over ice. ICKY ICKY ICKY. I'm new to the weather blog and it seems there are many n(ice) and sadly some not-so- n(ice)people. I'll concentrate on meeting those people who use this medium for the manner in which it is intended...to share and compare! Merry Christmas. Here's to a fantastic 2009.
LE

Anonymous said...

Morning all!

I did not lose power either, I read that the power outage was due to a transformer on the South side Laf...Raining hard out there...I heard we are at our high as far as temps, and will go down hill after 12:00 and temps will be near freexing around 3:00 then snow showers and wind...This water has no place to go.

I am worried about rapid freeze up...

Teri in Laf.

Anonymous said...

Oh and Justin, they are just now getting around to fixing the fire hydrant...Waiting for the water to be shut off shortly:( at least not for long

Anonymous said...

I am worried about all of this freezing too...has no place to go..stand puddles of water, the the temptures are to drop??? any thoughts on this PLEASE!!!!

Anonymous said...

I would think we will have to be really careful if any go's out later on tonight! Because the rain is expected to be making it's way out by closer to 3:pm or 4:pm then after the temperatures get to 32* degrees or below then we could see some places start to freeze!

SO I would keep a watch on it if you do go out but otherwise I don't think things will be all to bad!

And right after Christmas we have another warm up on the way! Where Friday and Saturday we will be really close to 50* Degrees!

Wow are we sure it is winter? :)Teri Thanks for the Update!

Justin in Lafayette

Anonymous said...

so you think travel not be so good after 4:00??? I cant believe all the water,, where is to go? but freeze?????

Anonymous said...

Have a safe and Merry Xmas everyone!

Anonymous said...

I know what you mean and Teri you be careful as well with that hydrant giving you problems!

Justin

Anonymous said...

And ya I'M thinking closer to 5:pm and 6:pm all should take there time if needed to go out!

Ever more if we do see a quick burst of snow! But that is still iffy!

Justin

Anonymous said...

Last night there was so much water in the city roads, I thought there was a water main break. It was bad, I was going no more than 40mph driving a half hour home from work. Drivers, be sure to give yourself plenty of space between you and the car in front. I had a driver nearly kiss my bumper, I was quite nervous, they were in a truck! Headlights right in the eyes. I got all my christmas shopping done, so I am staying home today.

Stay safe! Have fun! We all need more fun in our lives!

Anonymous said...

Back at ya Brow! And thanks Justin, the hydrant is now fixed:)

We will be careful, not sure if our plans are going to be postponed..

Teri

Anonymous said...

Here is a few road reports! I'M posting below! Maybe this will give those who have not been out an idea as to how the roads are! We want every body to be safe!

I-65 REMINGTON TO BROOKSTON WET
I-65 BROOKSTON TO LAFAYETTE WET
I-65 LAFAYETTE TO FRANKFORT WET
I-65 FRANKFORT TO THORNTOWN WET
I-74 ILLINOIS TO VEEDERSBURG WET
I-74 VEEDERSBURG TO CRAWFORDSVILLE WET
OTHER US AND STATE ROADS ICE COVERED
SECONDARY ROADS ICE COVERED
****

US-31 COUNTIES- FULTON MIAMI SLUSHY
US-31 COUNTIES- HOWARD TIPTON SLUSHY
US-24 COUNTIES- CASS MIAMI WABASH SLUSHY
OTHER US AND STATE ROADS SLUSHY
SECONDARY ROADS ICE COVERED
****

These are the latest Road reports! Hope this helps!

Some roads are good while others are still a mess!

Justin in Lafayette

Anonymous said...

do you think black ice for early this evening????

Anonymous said...

Warren county has pulled all of their salt trucks off he road and advised no travel. Benton county is EMS travel only on county roads. Jasper county roads are iced over except where they were able to put down salt. Does not get any better the farther north you get. We did get the power back on at 1am this morning.

william in remington

Anonymous said...

There is a chance on some roads as you see in my post above some roads are still iced covered! So I would keep a watch out if your dirving! SO My answer is some but not all! Sorry I can not tell you which ones other then what I posted above! I will post another road report here a little later when one comes in!

Justin

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your report Willaim!

I'M glad to hear you hot power back! :)

if you don't have to go anywhere then it would be best to stay home!
Sounds like WIllaim up around you is really bad!

Justin.

Anonymous said...

hwy 24 to remington is wet. 231 from remington is wet/slush to rensselaer. I65 traffic seems to be moving good from the 201-205 but there are still people slidding off the interstate. My EMS pager has been busy all morning due to the ice. lots of falls and slide offs.
william in remington

Anonymous said...

I think it is time to build and ARC.. with ice tracks as well

Anonymous said...

Hey Justin you should get out and look at the sky the clouds are awesome!!! and moving very fast...I want to get a pic:))

Teri

Anonymous said...

Stefanie just reported the temp was 35. I have 44.......:)

Anonymous said...

Good afternoon bloggers!

Long time reader, first time blogger ;}

Great job to all that contribute the detailed "ground reports". Mike uses his skills and "weather weapons" well to tell us what is going on in the upper altitudes- translating all of that into what happens on the ground is not only fascinating, but often life-saving.

Keep up the good work, have fun, and happy holidays to all.

Doodumpuddy - Lafayette

Anonymous said...

Drove to Laf. this morning on I-65 and it was wet, traffic was moving at a good clip! Lots of travelers out there

Anonymous said...

Santa is in Afganistan right now. Hope all the troops get their wish over there. Check this out:
http://www.noradsanta.org/en/home.html

william in remington

Anonymous said...

Hey everybody I wanted to let you all know it is windy out there as wel will be seeing winds betwee 20 and 25 mph with possible gusts near or around 30mph! At times!

Be safe and Merry Christmas!

William I found that site a few days ago Cool! :)

Justin

Anonymous said...

Hey everybody I wanted to check in with you again! I said earlier to really watch for Ice if you are out past 6:pm! And it is 5:pm and the puddles on my walkway out back is starting to freeze up!

So I just wanted to let you know in case you are coming back from a Christmas Party of your familys house!

Just drive slow and watch for possible black ice! Here is the latset report I have!

I-65 REMINGTON TO BROOKSTON WET
I-65 BROOKSTON TO LAFAYETTE WET
I-65 LAFAYETTE TO FRANKFORT WET
I-65 FRANKFORT TO THORNTOWN WET
I-74 ILLINOIS TO VEEDERSBURG WET
I-74 VEEDERSBURG TO CRAWFORDSVILLE WET
OTHER US AND STATE ROADS WET
SECONDARY ROADS SLUSHY
****


US-31 COUNTIES- FULTON MIAMI WET
US-31 COUNTIES- HOWARD TIPTON WET
US-24 COUNTIES- CASS MIAMI WABASH WET
OTHER US AND STATE ROADS WET
SECONDARY ROADS SLUSHY
****

I hope you all have a Very Merry Christmas Wishing you the best from My family to your's! ;-)

Justin in Lafayette

Anonymous said...

Hi LE in S Newton County! I am right down #24 in Remington after having lived in Kentland for 30+ years. Nice to have you check in. Please post more often. I like to know conditions near home. William helps me keep Remington on the map, LOL..Katie, too!

Just had a wind gust at 22 mph! With a temp of 23* that is pretty bitey! Anyway, had a safe trip to KKK County in IL today. Main roads are great---driveways and streets are horrible! For anyone wanting a White Christmas just come north of Lafayette about 30 miles. We have all kinds of WHITE ICE with SNOW underneath and we are willing to share. IN fact we would delight if you would chip most of it up and take it home with you :-)

Well, off to get ready for Christmas Eve service at RUMC. Most area services have been cancelled -- ours has not been. William, bring the family tonight and visit our church!

Mary Anne in Remington.

Mike you had to travel through our area today, will be anxious to hear your comments on the "silver" icing here. It literally looks like a skating rink. I do like the "snow cone" description!

Anonymous said...

... SLICK SPOTS LIKELY ON UNTREATED SURFACES TONIGHT...

TEMPERATURES WILL DROP BELOW 32 DEGREES QUICKLY TONIGHT... ALLOWING RAIN WATER AND SNOW MELT TO REFREEZE ON UNTREATED ROADS... SIDEWALKS... AND DRIVEWAYS OVERNIGHT. PARTICULARLY HAZARDOUS WILL BE AREAS WITH STANDING WATER... AND LESSER TRAVELED SECONDARY ROADS... ALONG WITH BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES. BE ALERT FOR AREAS OF SLICK CONDITIONS DEVELOPING OVERNIGHT THROUGHOUT CENTRAL INDIANA. Lafayette is good at this time all...

merry chirstmas!

Anonymous said...

SANTA WAS HERE!!!!! so I was told by my little one at 4:00 this morning:-)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NAP

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas to all! Getting ready to head back to Remington for more Xmas!

Anonymous said...

Good morning bloggers I'M getting ready to start my Christmas now!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! ;-)

Justin

Anonymous said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL...

We had Christmas last night and this morning! Was wonderful!

I hope all are having a good Christmas, My family and I wish you all a prosperous, uncomplicated and Happy, New Year. Merry Christmas blogger friends!

Teri in Laf