Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Our Freaky February Continues, Get Out the Layers, Hot Chocolate, & Snow Shovels!

It is great to check in with you. I am just finishing cleaning up lunch with Lauren. We had chicken noodle soup and chicken nuggets. I made sure to have some cheerios with frozen blueberries so I can run my 5 miles today with some extra kick. The dog has been acting strange. He may sense the big weather change on the way. He has been running around the house wild and nature is about to go wild with our nice Spring-like temperatures early this afternoon about to come crashing down. Our computers went down last night at WLFI so my middle of the night sandwhich weather update was delayed but it has allowed me to look at more data and give you the first real sneak peak as to how much snow is on the way for this weekend and next weeks big Spring push of warm air.

February is known for its big temperature swings and it will live up to its name. We will go from temperatures in the middle to upper 40s early this afternoon and drop about 2 degrees per hour or 20 degrees by 11 p.m. If you add in the wind chill it will feel even colder and feel like the single digits by time you get ready for our 11 p.m. newscast. Make sure to stay warm with your one and only local station tonight and have a nice warm cup of hot chocolate with us. I have hoisted hot chocolate advisories for our area. By morning lows will be in the upper teens with wind chills from 5 below zero to near zero across the area. Actual lows will be in the middle to upper teens. Make s
ure to have the layers ready.

The good news with this system is that we will not have the hurricane force wind gusts with it as the cold front pushes through the area but unlike last week we will have to be ready for some slippery roads developing. I expect rain showers to change over to a few heavier bursts of snow between 8 p.m. and midnight and we could easily see a half-inch of snow to an inch of snow before it tapers off to flurries after midnight. Wind gusts will be near 35 mph causing reduced visibilites around the area.

Wabash River Update: Cold weather tends to slow down the falling river levels which means our Wabash will stay near flood stage through the weekend. We can be excited about most areas receiving less than .20" of rain so far which means we will not have to worry about another flood crest or more significant flooding this weekend. Tonight we will only have another .10" to .20" of precipitation which is welcome news.

Last but not least our weekend snow update: This system is interesting in that it is forming in Sasketchewan and not in Alberta. So it is not a true Alberta clipper and since it is forming closer to the Midwest it will have a better chance to hold together as it moves our way. We will talk more about this on the newscasts tonight. Last night most of the model data had us in the 4 to 5 inch range for snowfall. As of 1:27 p.m. EST amounts have trended more in the 3 to 4 inch range with 5 inches possible across the northern tier of the Lafayette viewing area and lesser amounts the farther south you go. The heaviest snow will be between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. Saturday. Do not put away the sleds or shovels just yet. Blowing and drifting snow will also become a concern Saturday with northwest winds at 15 to 25 mph and gusty. Much more on specifics here on the blog and newscasts tonight!

Spring Weather Tidbit of the Day: Highs should have no trouble reaching the 50s next week and I still like highs reaching into the 70s sometime between March 4th and March 9th. We could see an April Fools' downturn in temperatures but overall our original forecast of an early Spring is right on track.

Bonus Summer Tidbit: Our summer could actually turn hot and drier than normal here in the Midwest as the stormy weather will be suppressed to the southern portions of the USA. Hurricane season looks LESS ACTIVE than last year.

I will make sure to post your precipitation map for the next 30 days, incredible rainbows captured across the area, rainfall totals, and the latest on tonight's big winter chill and slick roads on the way. Now I am off and running!! I will have an evening blog update for you between the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. shows and once again by 7 p.m. Now get ready for another wild night!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well at least the PC's are up and running again. :)

Justin.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update MIke I will be sure to grab a nice cup of Hot cocoa tonight! :-) lol.....

Justin.

Anonymous said...

How much snow are we going to get Friday night into Saturday morning. Accuweather is saying 3-5inches of snow. Is that true?

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update Mike! My puppy was acting up and running around like a crazy dog! WOW! It is 45 and still misting some light rain!
Jamie

Anonymous said...

WINDY HERE!!!!

Chris in Tipton

Anonymous said...

I am not expecting nearly the wind damage that we had a week ago!!

Chris in Tipton

Anonymous said...

Windy and 36 here in Remington.

Anonymous said...

The sandhill cranes are back along the big Monon,just saw one fly over about 20 minutes ago.

Anonymous said...

...the stormy weather will be suppressed to the southern portions of the USA.

Although, I don't everything to be dry as a bone, I love hearing that! May be a less stressful storm season.

Anonymous said...

Just read through the forecast, Mike! While I am anxious for warmer temps and sunshine the news of 70* temps sets off warning bells in my head. STORMS can only be in the offing. It is nice to hear we may have a nice summer!

MA in REM

Anonymous said...

What time should we expect the weather tonight? Skiing weather by weekend maybe???

Nadia A. in W. Lafayette

Anonymous said...

Gosh, Has been nice, NOT having to wear my heavy winter coat. Sounds like I will need it in the
morning:(

Keep warm and safe all

Teri

Anonymous said...

Teri it will be odd going from the nice high I had today of 46* degrees to only the upper teens around 17*.I'M already at 37.4* degrees. I was out today and just had my T-shirt on with a vest it was nice.

Now cold cold cold..... My sister is loving it! She wont be happy as we head into later next week being slightly warmer again. However I'M looking forward to Saturday!!

Mike currently I only have rainfall around 0.02" inches. Not much. However that is great news.

Everybody watch it as you go out in the morning for it will be a little slick in areas. With temperatures falling so fast and a little snow on the way.

Justin.

Anonymous said...

I see that our pretty little snow system is closing in.Its is still 34.7 here and winds have changed direction.
I feel for the people in the south right now. My mother lives in GA she said nothing close to her house yet. The next storm that is on the state line is close to her.
Watch for slick spots tomorrow all .

Anne in Frankfort

Richard said...

Jamie,
Yes I did get the link and thank you! Its a great link with allot of information.
Thanks again.

Just got back from Lafayette and could not believe how cold that wind is. I am really looking forward for tomorrows cold temperatures. Burrrrrr!

MA/Rem
I am still checking into Cochrahs if you have anyone that wants to do this let me know. I have checked with a relative at Purdue extintion and am going to check with the commisioner.

Anonymous said...

Darn! I was thinking of traveling this weekend :-/ I guess I should start my travel on Friday night (2 hour drive) instead of Saturday? I wish this storm was on a weekend other than this weekend! :(

Anonymous said...

Jamie,
I did get the link and it was very interesting, I added it to my favorites.
Thank You

Just got back from Lafayette and wow that wind is pretty chilly. I am not looking forward to tomorrows weather.

MA/Rem
I am still trying to get the Cochrahs meeting going. I checked with Purdue extension and am waiting and also going to check with the county commisioner. Let me know if anyone is interested.

Anonymous said...

How much snow are we suppose to get in Lafayette?