The storm for the end of this week into Saturday is not looking, promising for us here in the TC metro at all. The models are consistently having the storm in eastern Wisconsin and Northern Michigan.
Bummer. Thanks for the update. Lots of reports in Hennepin Co of a half to three quarters of an inch of rain during the night. That would have been some nice SNOW if not for the warmer winter temps we seem to get now. :+( Thanks again, Schnee Meister.
WeatherGeek, bummer about the now non-snowstorm for the metro and your heavy rain last night. I am in the Plymouth/Maple Grove area. We got a very light coating of ice from some very light freezing rain last night. That’s all that fell here.
The NWS forecast discussion this afternoon said southeast Minnesota might pick up an inch of snow this weekend. Though Novak never said we were going to get hit by a snowstorm this weekend, he sure got some of our hopes up for one. Maybe next time.
It looks like after a couple of seasonal temperature days this weekend, the “heat“ will be back next week with highs well into the 30s again…and no snow. To think this winter got off to a roaring start. It really has shifted to its all too characteristic wimpy stage recently.
Mr Schnee Meister don’t give up hope yet, some of the 18Z models bring the system further north, the NAM(not the most reliable model) has an all out snowstorm for us and the GFS has trended north to include the southern metro, so let’s pump the brakes for now and see what tonight’s and tomorrow model runs say before we throw in the towel on this.
From Paul D's blog in the Strib today: "What happened to a persistent snow cover of 4 inches or more? In the 1970s the Twin Cities averaged 80-100 days every winter with over 4 inches on the ground. Since 2000 only 45-55 days with over 4 inches of what I call “usable snow.”
The 1930s saw similar low snow cover amounts, but that was due to Dust Bowl drought.
Since 2000 our lack of persistent snow on the ground is a symptom of warming winters. It still snows, but midwinter rain and thaw cycles quickly erase the base. Ugh."
Dance, PWL....... maybe the white stuff in snow events of our days gone by will shift and give us something to smile about!
I just looked out the window and saw it is raining. I stopped and thought for a moment and said, “well, after all it is January in Minnesota, so that sounds about right.” Typical January weather anymore.
Most definitely, Joe. I was wondering what the noise outside was, too. Like Paul Douglas said in the post I put above the other day......... winters have most definitely changed. So disheartening.
Official snow depth at MSP yesterday morning was down to 3 inches. I’m sure this morning‘s measurement will be even lower. With no accumulating snow in the forecast for the Twin Cities for at least another week combined with a forecast of sun and high 30s again next Monday followed by rain and 40 next Tuesday, I am wondering when we will officially lose our snow cover? Like Joe and WeatherGeek have said, this should be no surprise to anyone. Winter started off on such a promising note, but then… It used to be we built a snow pack in January. Anymore January is when we lose the snow pack, assuming we even have one to lose (see recent snowless/warm Decembers). For many years I looked forward to the cold and snow of a Minnesota winter. Now I almost feel like I live in Kansas City or NYC, hoping it gets cold enough to possibly snow and knowing to enjoy it if it does because it won’t last long.
Also, I have noticed the recent predictions of a pattern change to colder weather tend to get warmer each day. Again, not surprise… just disappointed. I equate my disappointment with that of someone who loves hot sunny summer weather but frequently experiences chilly/rainy weather in June, July and August. Wish I lived in Fairbanks Alaska, despite their big cold wave. Thanks for giving me a forum to vent. I know I’m not alone. I always appreciate everyone’s comments and insights on this blog.
Dave, I’m sure all of us here share your pain. I have news, but it’s not good news. I just heard that this weak La Niña will transition into a neutral phase for the second half of winter and then into a full fledge El Niño by late next fall. If you think this winter has turned wimpy, just wait until next season! This winter has actually been wimpy from the very start. It was the late fall - Thanksgiving through the first two weeks of December- that gave us the real winter weather. We shifted into this current pattern beginning the week of Christmas.
Thanks for posting this, Bill!!!!
ReplyDeleteI forgot to add: Start dancing PWL, and please point the fingers in the metro's direction in the hopes that we get some decent snow next weekend.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad hearing the steady patter of pouring rain. "Long ago" it would have been snow.
ReplyDeleteThe storm for the end of this week into Saturday is not looking, promising for us here in the TC metro at all. The models are consistently having the storm in eastern Wisconsin and Northern Michigan.
ReplyDeleteBummer. Thanks for the update. Lots of reports in Hennepin Co of a half to three quarters of an inch of rain during the night. That would have been some nice SNOW if not for the warmer winter temps we seem to get now. :+( Thanks again, Schnee Meister.
DeleteWeatherGeek, bummer about the now non-snowstorm for the metro and your heavy rain last night. I am in the Plymouth/Maple Grove area. We got a very light coating of ice from some very light freezing rain last night. That’s all that fell here.
ReplyDeleteThe NWS forecast discussion this afternoon said southeast Minnesota might pick up an inch of snow this weekend. Though Novak never said we were going to get hit by a snowstorm this weekend, he sure got some of our hopes up for one. Maybe next time.
It looks like after a couple of seasonal temperature days this weekend, the “heat“ will be back next week with highs well into the 30s again…and no snow. To think this winter got off to a roaring start. It really has shifted to its all too characteristic wimpy stage recently.
Mr Schnee Meister don’t give up hope yet, some of the 18Z models bring the system further north, the NAM(not the most reliable model) has an all out snowstorm for us and the GFS has trended north to include the southern metro, so let’s pump the brakes for now and see what tonight’s and tomorrow model runs say before we throw in the towel on this.
ReplyDeleteI’m all in favor of a northward shift, Big Daddy…here’s hoping.
DeleteLet’s gooooo!!! Doing the “pump the breaks” dance!!!
ReplyDeleteBring it!!
From Paul D's blog in the Strib today: "What happened to a persistent snow cover of 4 inches or more? In the 1970s the Twin Cities averaged 80-100 days every winter with over 4 inches on the ground. Since 2000 only 45-55 days with over 4 inches of what I call “usable snow.”
ReplyDeleteThe 1930s saw similar low snow cover amounts, but that was due to Dust Bowl drought.
Since 2000 our lack of persistent snow on the ground is a symptom of warming winters. It still snows, but midwinter rain and thaw cycles quickly erase the base. Ugh."
Dance, PWL....... maybe the white stuff in snow events of our days gone by will shift and give us something to smile about!
Schnee Meister, I'm in the SLP area.
Latest Euro and GFS are showing an inch of snow (if we’re lucky) for the TC metro from today through next Monday.
ReplyDeleteI just looked out the window and saw it is raining. I stopped and thought for a moment and said, “well, after all it is January in Minnesota, so that sounds about right.” Typical January weather anymore.
ReplyDeleteMost definitely, Joe. I was wondering what the noise outside was, too. Like Paul Douglas said in the post I put above the other day......... winters have most definitely changed. So disheartening.
DeleteOfficial snow depth at MSP yesterday morning was down to 3 inches. I’m sure this morning‘s measurement will be even lower. With no accumulating snow in the forecast for the Twin Cities for at least another week combined with a forecast of sun and high 30s again next Monday followed by rain and 40 next Tuesday, I am wondering when we will officially lose our snow cover? Like Joe and WeatherGeek have said, this should be no surprise to anyone. Winter started off on such a promising note, but then… It used to be we built a snow pack in January. Anymore January is when we lose the snow pack, assuming we even have one to lose (see recent snowless/warm Decembers). For many years I looked forward to the cold and snow of a Minnesota winter. Now I almost feel like I live in Kansas City or NYC, hoping it gets cold enough to possibly snow and knowing to enjoy it if it does because it won’t last long.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have noticed the recent predictions of a pattern change to colder weather tend to get warmer each day. Again, not surprise… just disappointed. I equate my disappointment with that of someone who loves hot sunny summer weather but frequently experiences chilly/rainy weather in June, July and August. Wish I lived in Fairbanks Alaska, despite their big cold wave. Thanks for giving me a forum to vent. I know I’m not alone. I always appreciate everyone’s comments and insights on this blog.
Dave, I’m sure all of us here share your pain. I have news, but it’s not good news. I just heard that this weak La Niña will transition into a neutral phase for the second half of winter and then into a full fledge El Niño by late next fall. If you think this winter has turned wimpy, just wait until next season! This winter has actually been wimpy from the very start. It was the late fall - Thanksgiving through the first two weeks of December- that gave us the real winter weather. We shifted into this current pattern beginning the week of Christmas.
ReplyDelete