Next Snowfall (Feb. 11/12)

The next system to move through the plains is likely to be another quick moving clipper that will dive down from Canada during the day on Sunday. Areas of the northern Rockies will see snowfall tonight into Saturday, with snowfall beginning throughout Nebraska during the night on Saturday and into the day on Sunday. Areas of Iowa will likely see the snow begin late Sunday and last into Monday, by Monday night this system should be over to the IL/IN and other Midwest/Ohio valley regions...

Amounts of snow with this system are still in question, dependent on the moisture available and the snow/water ratios which currently look to be around 15:1 or so. These ratios will likely cause total accumulations to be around 3-6 inches in the hardest hit areas of Iowa, although some amounts in the 8 inch range look possible along the NE/SD border. Snowfall will likely be confined to a fairly small width, with significant drop offs as you reach the edge of the snowfall. The NAM/WRF run from this morning indicates the band of snowfall should cut across the NE/SD border and work its' way into Iowa, creating the heaviest snowfall in central/southern Iowa. The GFS run from this morning has a much different perspective, pretty much washing this system out as it enters the plains. The previous off-hour run of the GFS still indicated potentially significant snowfall in the plains and thus it is hard to agree with the 12z run of this morning. The 06z run of the GFS last night indicates the storm could be slightly south of the NAM/WRF solution, putting heaviest snows in central NE and along the IA/MO borders.

Potential looks to be there, although the morning GFS run throws a good wrench in things by washing the system out for a while. Nonetheless, the track could range slightly from north/south of the current forecast meaning areas of SD/NE/IA and MO should all watch this system for the potential of good snows during the end of the weekend and into early next week. Another update likely tomorrow afternoon...