Very Early 2/21 Weather Thread

FDWxMan

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Jan 31, 2009
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If that site provided the maps out to the end of the storm (144hours vs. 120) the grand total from the GFS is 12.4" (for Des Moines).

The GFS total, is banking on 10" in a period of 10 hours, including one window of 4-5" in a 3" period.

So right now, the GFS model is indicating snowfall rates of 1-2" per hour over a 7 or 8 hour window, which, well, doesn't happen often, here, for that long.

For entertainment purposes only, the under still looks like the smart play...for now.
 

alarson

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18z update

3lJYf49.gif
 

FDWxMan

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I'm confused by the two images... is there a 2nd storm coming in behind Thursday's storm?

I wouldn't bet on it yet. The first image goes well into "model fantasy land." But yes, the 204 hour image is depicting 2 systems.

alarson's image is showing only the snow from the Thursday/Friday system, at least according to that model.
 

AirWalke

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I wouldn't bet on it yet. The first image goes well into "model fantasy land." But yes, the 204 hour image is depicting 2 systems.

alarson's image is showing only the snow from the Thursday/Friday system, at least according to that model.

Thanks for the clarification; I think I much prefer model fantasy land. :jimlad:
 

FDWxMan

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So, how much do you think we are getting? I know it will change, but if you had to guess.

I think a good place to start the bidding is 5-8". Place over/unders on that.

I'm a bit worried since this could sort of be a "dying" system, that dry air could get wrapped in on Thursday and cut stuff down.

Eastern Nebraska would get hammered. I'd probably be more comfortable getting to double digits for amounts around Omaha....maybe Atlantic/Denison/Carroll.

But this thing doesn't move onshore until Tuesday, so those numbers really don't have a lot of significance or meaning at this point.

There is still potential there for totals to go over that in Des Moines, but that's where my gut is going right now.
 

chuckd4735

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I think a good place to start the bidding is 5-8". Place over/unders on that.

I'm a bit worried since this could sort of be a "dying" system, that dry air could get wrapped in on Thursday and cut stuff down.

Eastern Nebraska would get hammered. I'd probably be more comfortable getting to double digits for amounts around Omaha....maybe Atlantic/Denison/Carroll.

But this thing doesn't move onshore until Tuesday, so those numbers really don't have a lot of significance or meaning at this point.

There is still potential there for totals to go over that in Des Moines, but that's where my gut is going right now.

How about wind?
 

FDWxMan

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Winds will be the worst likely while the snow is falling, gusts should be able to top 30.

I would imagine blizzard/whiteout conditions will be pretty easy to come by during, with basically the wind intensity mimicking the snow intensity.

Strongest winds with the heaviest snow, winds dying down (some) as snow wraps up. Not really a big blast of wind behind it like we see alot.

Again, I think the low will be weakening/filling in as it passes by, so that would mean not much blowing afterward.
 

cowgirl836

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all I need to know is whether I will get a snow day in Madison this week. Please say yes. Pretty please :D
 

FDWxMan

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all I need to know is whether I will get a snow day in Madison this week. Please say yes. Pretty please :D

Possibly. What does it take up there in Madison?

I think it will have weakened quite a bit by the time it makes it there, but there may be enough early on Friday + the winds to make plows far enough behind for Friday morning to get a snow day.

Current track/timing really doesn't get things that exciting up you way until probably at least 6pm Thursday.