HEFTY SNOW PACK DEVELOPING OVER THE UPPER MIDWEST

Jan 25, 11:41 PM

THE SECOND POWERFUL SNOWSTORM OF DECEMBER HAS BROUGHT UP TO 20 INCHES OF SNOW TO NORTHWEST IOWA, SOUTHEAST SOUTH DAKOTA, AND SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA.  COMBINED WITH SNOW ALREADY ON THE GROUND SNOW PACK HAS DRAMATICALLY INCREASED OVER THE PLAINS AND UPPER MIDWEST THE PAST 2 WEEKS.  AS OF JANAURY 5TH SNOW COVER EXISTS FROM THE SOUTHERN PLAINS AND OHIO VALLEY NORTHWARD ALL THE WAY TO THE ARCTIC

AS WE ENTER WHAT TRADITIONALLY IS THE COLDEST TIME 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 JANUARY, 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 OHIO VALLEY WHERE THE SNOW LINE CURRENTLY RESIDES.  IF SO, ABOVE NORMAL SNOWFALL MAY OCCUR FROM OUR AREA ON TO THE NORTHEAST.

WHILE I MAKE NO GUARANTEES, THE STAGE IS SET FOR WHAT COULD BE A COLD AND SNOWY JANUARY.  TIME WILL TELL! 

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