DEEP SNOW BLANKETS MUCH OF THE UPPER MIDWEST

Jan 26, 09:28 PM

NUMEROUS WINTER STORMS SINCE EARLY DECEMBER HAVE PRODUCED RECORD SNOWFALL IN PARTS OF IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, AND SOUTH DAKOTA. WITH BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES THROUGH MUCH OF THAT PERIOD SNOWPACK HAS INCREASED TO LEVELS NOT SEEN IN SEVERAL DECADES. AS OF JANUARY 27TH, PARTS OF NORTHWEST IOWA AROUND THE TOWN OF SPENCER HAVE AS MUCH AS 30 INCHES OF SNOW ON THE GROUND!

AS WE ENTER WHAT TRADITIONALLY IS ONE OF THE COLDEST TIMES OF YEAR, THIS WILL MORE THAN LIKELY HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON TEMPERATURES AND THE POSITION OF THE STORM TRACK.

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ROLE SNOWPACK PLAYS IS KEEPING POLAR AIR MASSES COLD AS THEY PLUNGE INTO THE COUNTRY FROM CANADA. WHEN THE GROUND IS BARE, THE COLD TENDS TO MODIFY AS IT MOVES PROGRESSIVELY SOUTHWARD INTO THE UNITED STATES. WITH THE EXTENSIVE SNOW COVER THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS, COLD AIR MASSES WILL KEEP THEIR POLAR TENDANCIES AS THEY DIVE INTO THE NATION'S HEARTLAND. THIS INCREASES THE ODDS OF BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES IN FEBRUARY, ESPECIALLY WHERE THE DEEPEST SNOW IS FOUND.

THE EDGE OF THE SNOW COVER IS ALSO A COMMON LOCATION FOR STORMS TO DEVELOP AND TRACK ALONG. IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THE STORM TRACK HOLDS OVER THE SAME GENERAL AREA PRODUCING ADDITIONAL WINTER STORMS THAT WOULD MAINTAIN OR EVEN INCREASE EXISTING SNOWCOVER.

AN ADDITIONAL RELATED TO SNOW COVER IS SPRING FLOODING. MOISTURE CONTENT OF THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS ON THE ORDER IF 5-8". HEAVY RAINS AND A RAPID THAW COULD MEAN SIGNFICANT SPRING FLOODING IN PARTS OF THE UPPER MIDWEST. STAY TUNED.

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