Olympic-Sized Snow in DC

I have to admit, I was a little faked out yesterday. I thought for a VERY brief moment that I saw lightning in the distance, but quickly noticed fireworks above the bare treetops, not an all too common site for February, but when you 'think' you see lightning in the middle of winter when the air temperature is around 20 degrees, you know you have a serious case of SDS or "Supercell Deprivation Syndrome" - it's a pretty legit syndrome that many in the storm chaser community go through ever winter at about this time, though, for some... it sets in much sooner. See here if you suffer from SDS - thanks to www.texastailchasers.com for that write-up.

Today is a big day... Yes, get ready for Puppy Bowl VI complete with a kitten half time show! If you're still sulking about the Vikings loss, the Puppy Bowl might be just as exciting as the Super Bowl this year. For the rest of you who can stomach Miami, FL without the purple and gold present - you should be in for a good show. Indianapolis Colts take on the New Orleans Saints at 6:25pm ET with the Colts the favorite by a field goal. I guess I'll go with Who Dat by a field goal in OT.


Olympic-Size Snow in DC
Take a look at the picture below of Bethesda, MD where at least 20" of snow fell across a great deal of the Mid-Atlantic States. Hundreds of thousands of people are without power and transportation came to a near stand-still. All flights from Reagan National and Dulles were canceled "Until further notice" on Saturday. Here are some snowfall reports from earlier on Saturday in the DC area where 20" to 30" amounts were very common.



Significant Snow Potential for Central MN
Here's the latest Winter Weather Headlines from the National Weather Service for the the Twin Cities:

Winter Storm Watch

...SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL POSSIBLE SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING...

.A LONG PERIOD OF LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOW WILL IMPACT THE AREA
FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING. THIS LONG DURATION
OF SNOW HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE SNOWFALL TOTALS IN EXCESS OF
10 INCHES OVER THE TWO DAY PERIOD. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL
IS EXPECTED TO OCCUR FROM NEAR ALEXANDRIA AND LITTLE FALLS
SOUTHEAST THROUGH THE WEST SIDE OF THE TWIN CITIES METRO AREA AND
INTO SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA...ALTHOUGH TOTAL ACCUMULATIONS IN
EXCESS OF 5 INCHES ARE LIKELY ACROSS THE ENTIRE AREA. THE SNOW
WILL BE PRODUCED BY A STRONG UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WHICH IS
EXPECTED TO DIVE SOUTH THROUGH THE EASTERN DAKOTAS SUNDAY NIGHT
INTO MONDAY...BEFORE SWINGING SOUTHEAST ACROSS IOWA AND ILLINOIS
MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY. THIS UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL HELP
TO INTENSIFY A SURFACE TROUGH WHICH WILL BE LOCATED ACROSS THE
AREA...AND THESE FEATURES WILL WORK IN CONCERT TO PRODUCE THE
EXTENDED PERIOD OF SNOW FROM SUNDAY INTO TUESDAY. STRONG WINDS
WILL DEVELOP ACROSS WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA ON MONDAY NIGHT...THEN
SPREAD EAST ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF THE AREA TUESDAY. THE STRONG
WINDS WILL LEAD TO AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW...WHICH
WILL CAUSE TRAVEL CONDITIONS TO FURTHER DETERIORATE.

THE WINTER STORM WATCH FOR LOCATIONS IN CENTRAL MINNESOTA ALONG
AND NORTH OF A LINE FROM MONTEVIDEO TO LITCHFIELD AND ALONG AND WEST
OF A LITCHFIELD...TO SAINT CLOUD...TO LITTLE FALLS LINE HAS BEEN
UPGRADED TO A WINTER STORM WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM
SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT. THIS INCLUDES THE
INTERSTATE 94 CORRIDOR FROM SAINT CLOUD TO ALEXANDRIA.

THE WINTER STORM WATCH SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT
CONTINUES FOR AREAS NORTH OF THE MINNESOTA RIVER AND WEST OF
INTERSTATE 35... AND INCLUDES THE COMMUNITIES OF HUTCHINSON...THE
TWIN CITIES METRO AREA....AND SAINT PETER. FINALLY...A WINTER
STORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA FOR SUNDAY
EVENING THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING FOR AREAS ALONG AND SOUTH OF A
NEW ULM...TO MANKATO...TO OWATONNA LINE. THIS INCLUDES THE
INTERSTATE 90 CORRIDOR.

THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY ON EXACTLY WHERE THESE WEATHER
SYSTEMS WILL TRACK...WHICH WILL ULTIMATELY DETERMINE WHERE THE
GREATEST AMOUNT OF SNOW WILL OCCUR. STAY TUNED FOR LATER FORECASTS
AND POSSIBLE WARNINGS ON THIS POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT WINTER
STORM.

Here's a quick gander at how much snow could pile up over the next few days (thru Tuesday) - note the heaviest of the snow setting up show over the I-94 corridor. Keep in mind that this will not be a quick hitting snow, rather a long duration snow event where snow amounts will likely pile up to more than inconvenient levels if you don't stay on top of the situation. However, Monday morning commute is sure to be a white knuckle event, so plan ahead.




Todd's Outlook for the Twin Cities

Sunday: Flurries and light snow showers developing, about 1/2" of powder possible late in the day. High: 26

Tonight: Steadier light snow developing, another 1" to 2" possible overnight. Low: 19

Monday: Cloudy with light snow showers likely, an additional 1" to 3" or so possible. Additional light accumulations likely overnight. High: 24

Tuesday: Scattered light snow showers gradually ending, light coating possible. High: 21

Wednesday: Decreasing clouds, becoming partly cloudy and chilly. High: 19

Thursday: Partly cloudy, slightly warmer. High: 20

Friday: Partly sunny, a little warmer yet. High 23

Saturday: Partly cloudy, minor set back in the temperature department. High 20