Large Winter Storm to Unleash Bitter Cold

It has been a relatively quiet and tranquil weather pattern across the Midwest lately, with the exception of a few snow makers. The atmosphere is becoming prime to support a larger winter storm with a benchmark track of widespread 6"+ snowfall. Computer models are now coming into agreement of the idea that an area of low pressure will emerge from the Rocky Mountains on Tuesday and press east or northeast through Wednesday. Right now it is way too early to discuss who sees the accumulating snow. Some models take the low through Chicago and some take it through Minneapolis. The impact on where the snow will fall, based on the track, is profound. Expect snow to pile up 50-100 miles northwest to the track of low pressure. Computer model ensembles are further northwest, but the trend had been further southeast. There is a lot to work out over the next several days, but one thing is becoming more clear...the potential for a long swath of 6"+ of snow is increasingly likely. Nevertheless, it does appear that cold air will filter down behind this system, with below normal temperatures for the entire Midwest by mid-next week.

Accumulating Snow Expected To Develop Tonight

Light to moderate snow is expected to develop over the northern Plains later tonight into Tuesday. The snow will linger into Wednesday for parts of the Upper Midwest. This system will deepen tonight, then weaken as it passes to the east over the next couple days. Consequently, the heaviest snowfall will stay in western sections of the region, across South Dakota, but a solid 3-7" of snow will set up east towards Wisconsin. Total snow of 4-5" amounts will be common, but a narrow band of up to 7-8" will fall where the more persistent snow bands line up. Questions still arrive in how much rain and sleet will mix in across southeastern Wisconsin, with a lot of snow coming during the day for much of Wisconsin, snow accumulation on pavements will be somewhat limited, as grassy surfaces will pick up more snow. Below is the total snowfall you can expect over the next couple day, with slightly less on roadways for those that see more snow during the day, as temperatures will hover around freezing. Be sure to follow on Twitter and Facebook for more weather tidbits and updates. 

Accumulating Snow Returns To Midwest Early Week

An area of low pressure will emerge from the Rocky Mountains into Colorado Monday and move through the Midwest during the first half of the work week. Limited upper level dynamics will keep from a widespread 6"+ snow these tracks often seem to lay down as the low pressure will hold its strength or weaken a touch as it pushes east through Tuesday and Wednesday. The heaviest snows look to occur in South Dakota, trickling off to a few inches further east across the Great Lakes. A more detailed snow map will be released tomorrow morning/afternoon.