1-11 Weather Thread

[wxman1]

How does Sunday look?

Long ways out so little idea on track but this is out of the DVN NWS.

"
That all changes Sunday afternoon and night, as a model forecasted
classic clipper plunges into the Midwest ahead of an impressive
+1045 to +1050mb surface high. That`s roughly the same high pressure
strength as we saw a week ago with -20 low temps. So, with growing
confidence, we should see a snow event Sunday PM. The current model
data supports very good dendritic growth, and SLRs are looking to be
on the order of 20 to 30:1. Therefore, it can be figured that this
clipper`s QPF of 0.10 to 0.25 will be a good snow producer, and a
likely headline. Like many clippers, winds will be light during the
snow, but will increase behind. With such a strong high pressure
progressing into the Plains Monday, winds could be quite strong
later Sunday night into Monday, and with powdery snow on the
ground, we`ll have to watch for blowing/drifting snow impacts, as
well as wind chill advisory impacts."

So roughly 2-7" of snow possible somewhere based on current available moisture and snow to liquid ratio forecasts.

 

[3TrueFans]

How does Sunday look?

I bet all the schools will be closed again! Harumph.

 

[SayMyName]

Don't most schools already have snow days built in so they don't start adding days until the third or fourth one?

I'm pretty sure they haven't done this for quite some time now, at least in our district. Any missed days just get tacked onto the schedule at the end of the year.

 

[ImJustKCClone]

This is Iowa 1/2 of inch of snow shouldn't be a big deal.

You're right. A half inch of snow shouldn't be a big deal. But that's disingenuous, and you know it.

It has already been pointed out, SEVERAL times, that it's the ice mix underneath, combined with the fact that most of it was falling during morning commute times. So, if they delayed two hours, then delayed a couple more because it was still falling, you've already blown more than half of the school day. You have to find alternatives for delayed starts just as much as you do for full snow days. This IS Iowa. You know we're likely to have snow/ice/inclement weather in the winter. Make a plan in advance.


It's also the fact that we are in a sue-happy society, so if they err on the side of caution, they are probably saving you money in the long run...but that's an argument for another time.

 

[NorthCyd]

I bet all the schools will be closed again! Harumph.

They already closed the schools on Monday too! Wimps!

 

[wxman1]

I'm pretty sure they haven't done this for quite some time now, at least in our district. Any missed days just get tacked onto the schedule at the end of the year.

I know at least the CR area schools do. When CR closed for a few days last year for a flood they did not make them up but they did make up a snow day or two.

 

[Sparkplug]

Spouse is home today

Spouse: is there something that I need to work on today?

Me: we’re doing Advance Directives and reviewing wills

Spouse: oh fun

 

[Trice]

Spouse is home today

Spouse: is there something that I need to work on today?

Me: we’re doing Advance Directives and reviewing wills

Spouse: oh fun

Smart move. Then you're prepared for when you die in a car accident thanks to the numbskulls on Cyclone Fanatic who told you it wasn't bad out and not to be a wimp.

 

[BigBake]

a half inch of snow on top of a layer of frozen rain. It is not science, the schools make the best possible decision that they can. The national weather service (not to be confused with your local TV station or the weather channel) was pretty direct in saying that they thought the morning commute could be very bad this morning and they aren't prone to over hyping things.

There really wasn't a layer of frozen rain or ice under the snow in Udale. Plowed snow and it was concrete underneath with no layer of ice. For the metro gonna have to go with "schools overreacted" on this one. They were slick in spots but cars could definitely get around if they drive to the conditions and not like idiots.

Sidewalks and side roads were no more slick than they were the first week(and for the duration of that week) of Jan when it was negative temps all week and nothing was melting. Main roads were definitely passable around town by mid morning...just wet in spots per the noon hour news on 235.

I get what some are saying about risk and better safe than sorry but it was fine around the metro today and definitely not worthy of canceling school. Different story as soon as you get west of metro and in to the rural areas.

 

[CloneGuy8]

Rain over in Southern California, supposed to be sunny and 80 this weekend.

 

[wxman1]

So the track was fairly well forecast but totals were slightly off. One thing to keep in mind with this is that it only utilizes officially reported amounts and does "smoothing" on the rest.