This will not be one of those real long travel weather posts like yesterday, however this information may or may not help you with last minute Christmas travel plans. Here goes:
A vast part of the Central USA is under all kinds of winter weather advisories or warnings all the way from the north half of Texas to the Canadian border. Virtually all of these states, every county, is under the gun:
Oklahoma
Kansas
Nebraska
South Dakota
North Dakota
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Missouri
And also these areas:
NW Arkansas
NE Illinois
All of Upper Michigan
SW half of Lower Michigan
North half of Indiana
Extreme NW Ohio
Western North Carolina (see Ice Storm Warning below)
Western Virginia (see Ice Storm Warning Below)
SEVERE WEATHER OUTLOOK
For today and tonight, it includes these areas:
All of Louisiana
Central and South Mississippi
NW Florida
South half of Alabama (The SPC extended the outlook northward in Alabama to almost Birmingham)
SPOT REPORTS
Dallas/Ft. Worth…windy with blowing snow this afternoon with 2-inch accumulations, gusts to 45 mph
Oklahoma City…Winter Storm Warning until 10:00 p.m., freezing rain and snow this morning with snow and blowing snow this afternoon, heavy snow at times, wind gusts to 45 mph, blowing snow continues tonight, very windy and cold, gusts to 45 mph and a low of 15
Des Moines…a Winter Storm Warning until 6:00 a.m. Christmas Day, snow and sleet accumulating 4-5 inches tonight and an additional 3 inches of snow on Christmas Day
Mnneapolis…Winter Storm Warning until 6:00 a.m. Christmas Day, 2-3 inches of snow and sleet accumulating this afternoon, additional 5-7 inches of snow tonight, at least 3-6 inches of snow on Christmas Day. The National Weather Service Office in Minneapolis/St. Paul says the storm total will be 16-21 inches not counting the big drifts, of course.
ICE STORM WARNING
… Ice Storm Warning remains in effect from 6 PM this evening to
noon EST Friday…
An Ice Storm Warning remains in effect from 6 PM this evening to
noon EST Friday.
Rain will transition to freezing rain tonight before tapering off
later Friday morning. Ice accumulations of around one quarter
inch is expected across the warning area… with the highest
totals expected on east-facing slopes of the Blue Ridge Escarpment
generally along and north of Interstate 40. In addition to the
ice… southeast winds may reach 25 to 35 mph… and the winds may
gust to between 40 and 50 mph late tonight into Friday
morning above 3500 feet. Ice accumulation and winds will likely
cause power interruptions and hazardous Road conditions.
Precautionary/preparedness actions…
An Ice Storm Warning means severe winter weather conditions are
expected or occurring. Significant amounts of ice accumulations
will make travel dangerous or impossible. Travel is strongly
discouraged. Commerce will likely be severely impacted. If you
must travel… keep an extra flashlight… food… and water in your
vehicle in case of an emergency. Ice accumulations and winds will
likely lead to snapped power lines and falling tree branches that
add to the danger.
FINAL NOTE
Needless to say, travel in that vast region will be very hazardous to impossible. In some of the areas, especially over the Northern and Central Plains, Blizzard Warnings are also in effect. And, well removed from the vast winter weather areas is strong straight line winds in places like Mississippi and Alabama. Even in the Birmingham area, gusts could reach 45 mph and possibly 50 mph late today and tonight, especially on the ridges. With the ground soft and wet, it will be easier for trees to come down.
Better line the inside of your hat with Velcro or super glue!
Despite all the bad news…Merry Christmas!
