Winter Storm: Jan. 28-30 Update #1

A major winter storm continues to be forecasted for areas of the Southern and Central Plains...

Just a quick update this morning, with a more expansive update likely this evening as the storm begins to take shape across the Southern High Plains.  Significant icing continues to be likely across areas of north-central Texas into central Oklahoma, and perhaps into parts of northern Arkansas as well.  Significant snowfall is also still on track over the Texas panhandle, northern Oklahoma, southern Kansas, and into northern Arkansas/southern Missouri.  Snowfall amounts of at least 8" seems likely, with widespread areas of TX/OK also seeing amounts greater than a foot and isolated areas perhaps seeing 18"!  Other areas of Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas may see amounts greater than 8" and isolated amounts nearing a foot.  Forecast models are beginning to have more data on this storm system, and thus we may see some changes in forecast intensity/track by this afternoon and especially this evening.  Some minor trends that I noticed this morning included a slightly further north track, and the best intensity occurring further west over TX/OK rather than the corners of TX/OK/MO/AR.  If this trend continues, than more areas of KS/MO may see this heavier snow...  While it still remains further south than the Kansas City metro and the St. Louis metro, it is much closer than previous forecasts indicated.  Any push further north may put these areas at least under a chance of accumulating snow for late Thursday and  Friday.  This afternoon/evening update will address any trends that the models take today...