Another Potential Winter Storm

Well if you haven’t been paying attention to the forecasts, another system is making its’ way onto the plains in the next couple of days and has the potential for winter weather once again. Currently, the forecast is varied depending on what model you go with and what TV station or NWS office you listen too. The best choice as of right now is looking at mainly a rain forecast for the state of Iowa, at least until Saturday. Saturday is when the forecast gets a bit trickier, with cold air really moving in as we are northwest of the low. Potential is there for some freezing rain as well as the changeover from rain to snow as the night goes on. Entering the day on Sunday looks to have all snow in the forecast through much of the state, but exact amounts are going to depend on how fast the system moves and how much moisture is still in the atmosphere by this time.

Total amounts are not being discussed at the moment, not at least for areas of IA/MN as well as eastern NE/SD beings the snowfall shouldn’t begin in those areas until Sunday. Thus, with it still that far out in the forecast, the NAM hasn’t yet been able to grasp whether or not the snow will fall or the rain will continue. They do agree on the forecast out to Saturday night, with areas of western/central Nebraska as well as adjacent areas of South Dakota receiving the snowfall. By Sunday the snow begins to make its’ way northeastward as well, with the GFS making the snowline roughly Norfolk, NE to Sioux Falls continuing to the Twin Cities. Those snowfall amounts just north of the line aren’t terribly impressive yet looking at basic snow ratios, but looking at BUFKIT data for better forecasted amounts there may be potential for 6-9 inches of snow in those areas.

Still a lot of things to be worked out, areas of NE/SD and others to be affected by this storm already before the work week is over can start to hone in on the amounts. Areas further east are going to have to wait at least another 24 hours to see how the NAM treats this storm and thus the forecasted snow amounts become better defined. Look for another update in that 24 hours for the areas of Iowa to have their first snowfall forecast from this system!