Blizzard Condtions, Then Dangerous Cold

The Winter of 2013-2014 is holding its own here in the Quad Cities.  An arctic front plowed through the area, dropping a quick half inch to inch of snow Sunday evening.  Combine that with very gusty northwest winds ushering in very cold temperatures, whiteout conditions have been reported across the area.  A Blizzard Warning goes until 3AM for the Quad Cities and points north.  It's important to note that a "Blizzard" does not necessarily mean heavy snow.  In fact, the snow is over.  A blizzard occurs with winds of 35mph+, with blowing (or falling) snow creating visibilities of 1/4 mile or less for 3 or more hours.

We'll start the work week with a continued chance for blowing snow, but the bigger story will be the dangerously cold temperatures.  Wind Chill Warnings and Advisories go into effect Sunday night and last through noon Tuesday.

 

"Wind Chill Warning" indicates wind chills could drop to -30° or colder for a significant period of time.  "Wind Chill Advisory" indicates wind chills could drop between -20° and -29° for a significant period of time.

Air temperatures Sunday night will drop between -5° and -15°.  Combined with strong northwest winds between 20 and 30 mph (gusts up to 40+mph at times), wind chills will be -20° to -40°!  Highs Monday will not make it above zero.  Temperatures won't go above zero until Tuesday afternoon for the southern half of the area.  Hometowns north of I-80 may not see positive temperatures until Wednesday!

This is dangerously cold weather, similar to the beginning of January.  Frost bite can occur to skin exposed to the cold in as little as 10 minutes to a half hour.  Keep an eye on your pets, young children, the elderly and of course, yourself.

Here's the Wind Chill Chart from the National Weather Service: