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, Wisconsin 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!