A Snowy End to 2012...

The amount of snow on the ground from last year compared to this year is quite different!!! The map above is the amount of snow on the ground last year at this time and the map below is the snow that's on the ground now.  Much of the country has been blanketed by the snow already this winter!  A HUGE difference compared to a year ago.  Happy New Year!

Strong Low Pressure System moves into the Northeast...

As mentioned in the post below....the storm system that wreaked havoc in the South has now moved further east and north.  Everything from Winter Storm Warnings, Blizzard Warnings, Winter Weather Advisories, and even Tornado Watches have been issued.  So if you're traveling to the Northeast you may want to hold off for a day or so!

Severe Storms Continue on the East Coast

The Storm Prediction Center has issued another moderate risk for the East coast of North Carolina, and a slight risk stretching from Virginia to the Georgia/South Carolina boarder.  Due to current cloud cover and high sheer values these storms are not expected to be as strong as the ones along the gulf coast on Christmas.  However storms that are produced will move at a quick pace and the possibility for some bowing within the storm creates the chance for straight line wind damage and tornadoes.  The risk for severe weather will diminish through the evening and overnight hours today.  For detailed on the forecast for your area, click Here and type in your zip code or City, State.

Severe Storms in the South...

While parts of the U.S. got snow, many areas saw severe storms roll through on Christmas Day.  As of 930 pm Christmas night, there were 30 tornadoes reported with a total of 90 storm reports.  The main threats were tornadoes and wind damage.  There were only 3 hail reports.

Strong Low Pressure System Wreaking Havoc on Christmas....

A strong low pressure system is tracking across the U.S. this Christmas.  The system is so strong that it's going to produce everything from snow to tornadoes!   Blizzard Warnings, Winter Storm Warnings, and Winter Weather Advisories cover much of the Central Plains and eastward!  While in the South, parts of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi are under Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm Watches.

Severe Weather Possible on Christmas

A strong low pressure system is sliding along the gulf states today allowing for some severe storms to to pop up in Louisiana and Mississippi.  There is a risk for severe thunderstorms, wind damage, hail and possibly tornadoes.  The storm is also expect to create blizzard in Southern Illinois, SE Missouri, Southern Indiana and into Western Kentucky.  Sadly we will only see a few extra clouds from the storm and higher winds tomorrow morning. 

Temperatures of Christmas' Past in the QC...

Our 30-year average high on Christmas is 32° with an average low temperature of 16°.  But, over the past 6 years our average high has been 38° with an average low of 20° on the big holiday in the Quad Cities.  So we've had quite a few Christmas' with above average temperatures in recent years. 

But, so far we are forecasting a colder than normal Christmas for this year.  Right Now, our forecast has highs in the upper 20s with lows in the lower to middle teens.  We'll keep you updated!  Have a great holiday!!

BRRRRRR...It's Cold in the QC!

On Saturday morning  the combination of clear skies, light winds, and snow on the ground caused temperatures to dip into the single digits (above)!   Galena even dipped BELOW ZERO!!!   Temperatures for overnight lows for Saturday into Sunday morning won't be as bad, but still very cold (below).

Blizzard 2012 Snow Totals...

After breaking the record for the most days without snow in the Quad Cities, Mother Nature let us know that winter still exists in the QC on Thursday!

Here are the snow totals for neighborhoods around the Quad Cities in Iowa and Illinois.

BLIZZARD CONDITIONS EXPECTED for the QC...

A powerful winter storm will roll through today bringing 3-6" of snow to the Quad Cities and winds of 30-40 mph with gusts of 55 mph.  

The BLIZZARD WARNING for the Quad Cities runs from 9 am until 12 am today.  The rain will change over to all snow by late morning with the heaviest snow falling during the early afternoon hours. With strong winds and heavy snow, travel will become dangerous so avoid heading out today. Higher amounts of snow will be found north of the QCA.

Temperatures will be dropping below freezing and wind chills will dip below zero late Thursday night making for a very cold Friday.  All the snow will exit by Friday, but winds will remain strong still causing snow to blow onto roads so give yourself extra time even on Friday if you are traveling for the holiday we will keep you posted throughout the day on-line and on-air.

Winter Storm Warning for QCA....

A major winter storm is heading into the QCA Wednesday night into Thursday.  Right now, the Quad City metro area is under a Winter Storm Warning until 6 pm Thursday night 9 (shaded in red).    While a Blizzard Warning has been issued for Johnson, Washington, Cedar, Jackson, and Jo Daviess Counties (shaded in orange).

Neighborhoods in the Winter Storm Warning including the Quad Cities could pick up 4-8" of snow while areas under the Blizzard Warning will get 10 or more inches.  White out conditions are also possible as winds will be sustained from 25-35 mph with gusts of 45 mph or more at times.  This will cause snow to blow onto roads making it difficult to see and drive on area roads so be very careful.  Of course we will keep you posted on-air and on-line!

Winter Storm Watch for the Quad Cities...

Much of the QCA remains under a Winter Storm Watch from Wednesday night into Thursday.  Wednesday evening is when the rain/snow mix will begin.  After midnight on Wednesday the rain/snow mix will change over to all snow. 

Between late Wednesday night into Thursday morning, we could pick up 6+ inches of snow.  Winds will be rather strong on Thursday with gusts over 40 mph causing white out conditions!  We'll keep you posted both on-air and on-line!

U.S. Snow Depth Now versus a Year Ago...

So far in the Quad Cities we haven't had a measurable snowfall this winter.   But, when you compare how much snow is on the ground now around the U.S. versus the amount of snow that was on the ground a year ago, there is a difference! 

 The map above shows the snow depth around the country a year ago and the image below is the snow depth now.  When you compare the two, you can see there is clearly more snow on the ground this year than there was at this time last year!  Especially in the Western U.S. 

We could see our first major snowfall here in the QCA this Wednesday night into Thursday.  We'll keep you posted!

This Weekend's Rainfall Totals

Some much needed rain fell in the Quad Cities from late Friday night into Saturday.  Most neighborhoods around the QC picked up close to a half inch or even more.  Muscatine picked up the most rain with 0.81".  We could still see some light rain/drizzle fall tonight and on Sunday.  But, most of the rain has moved out of the area.

Friday's High Temps....

Another day with temperatures climbing 10-15 degrees above average!  We made it to 51° in the Quad Cities on Friday.

A Soggy Saturday Ahead in the QC?

A strong low pressure system is going to put an end to all the sunshine and warm weather we've had this week in the Quad Cities!  On Saturday, the system will give us the chance for some heavy rain.  Weather models are showing that we could pick up a half inch or even a little more this weekend!  We'll keep you posted!

December off to warm start!

The first 11 days of December, high temperatures were in the lower 60s and upper 50s.  They then slowly dropped into the 40s and the coldest day of the month was just this week.  That's when we only climbed to a high of 27°.  So far the average high for the first 11 days of December is 48°.  That's almost 10° above average!  The Quad Cities average high for the month of December is around 39°.  More warm weather is on tap for the rest week as highs climb into the upper 40s and even the lower 50s!

A Chilly Tuesday Morning

Wind Chill temperatures from just before 7 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Temperatures dropped into the mid to upper teens this morning with clear skies.  The wind out of the south was not as strong as Monday, but at 5-10 mph it still chilled the air.  Wind chills, as you see above, were into the low teens and single digits, making for quite a cold start to the day.  Temperatures are expected to rise into the upper 40s by the end of the week with plenty of sunshine.  So even though the cold weather is here today, mild conditions are just around the corner. 

Snowless Streak Continues...

Snow was close this weekend but it officially missed the Quad Cities!  This brings the NO MEASURABLE SNOW streak to 281 days which ties the 2nd longest streak ever!  If we don't see any snow by the middle of next week (a good possibility we won't) we'll break the record set back in 1908! 

For more on streaks like this check out the local office of the NWS!  Click Here for Some Stats

Severe Storms in the South....

While our neighbors to the north in Wisconsin, Minnesota, etc. were under winter weather advisories and warnings, our friends in the south were under severe thunderstorm watches on Sunday. 

In northeastern Arkansas there were even two reports of tornadoes.  Near Salem, Arkansas there were reports of golf ball size hail!

All the wintry weather and severe weather were associated with the same system that moved through the QCA early Sunday and produced some rain/snow. 

Winter Storm...

Our neighbors to the north are bracing for a snow storm!  Several counties in Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Dakotas, and back into Montana & Wyoming are under a Winter Storm Warning, Blizzard Warning, or Winter Weather Advisories.  Some areas could pick up 5-9 inches of snow and with strong winds it could create whiteout conditions so Blizzard warnings have been issued.

2 Snow Chances this Weekend, Snow for the Packers' Game?

Now we're looking at not 1, but 2 chances of snow this weekend.  If you want a big snowstorm though don't get your hopes up!  As it gets a little colder late Friday night our light rain will change to a mixture of light rain and snow before winding down very early on Saturday.  Most of Saturday looks dry, but another chance for rain and snow arrives after midnight Sat. night.  Again though, accumulations will be very minor (if anything at all.)

Here are a few model plots of snow totals, notice the slight accumulation Friday night then again early Sunday!

 Totals will be much heavier north of the QC, including Green Bay, WI, where the Packers play Sunday night!

Winter Weather Advisories, Winter storm Watches and Warnings are in effect for places north of the Quad Cities...

Next Week's Snow Chances

Here's a quick blurb on why we're not quite yet committed to the snow forecast for early next week yet, in addition to the fact that it's still 4-5 days away and predicting snow amounts this far out is not a good idea anyway! 

This is a plot of a few models' snowfall predictions for Sunday/Monday, notice the range is from one inch to 7 inches!  These are sure to change in the days to come and once more models converge on a solution we'll be showing accumulation maps...until then just keep checking back with CBS4!

Will We Have a White Christmas this Year?

With Christmas now less than 3 weeks away people are starting to wonder if we'll see a White Christmas in the Quad Cities!  The answer is.....yet to be determined.  We do have a couple chances for snow coming in the next several days, and we could see some accumulating snow Sunday night/early Monday!  An area of low pressure will be taking a track SE of the QC, which is favorable for snow here in Iowa/Illinois.  This will be one of those storms which the exact path will determine who sees the snow, who sees the rain and who sees a mix.  We'll keep you posted on this as one of main forecast points for the next few days.

In the meantime, here's a link to some nice data compiled by our local office of the NWS on the chance of seeing a white Christmas in the QC historically.

Out of the last 10 years in the QC 4 have had at least 1 inch of snow on the ground for Christmas, with 2 others having a trace of snow on the ground!  That's pretty close to the historic 41.4% chance of us seeing a White Christmas in the Quad Cities!

More on Monday's Record Highs

We are still on track for a chance of accumulating snow early next week, we'll have much more on that in the days to come...tonight though, a quick look back at Monday's high temperatures.  Many of the numbers you see on this map either tied or broke record for December 3rd, including the QC high of 69°...a tie for the day's record high!

Snow Next Week?

After a record tying day on Monday (Record high of 69°) a week from now things will be much different!  Temperatures retreat slowly over the next couple days and then early next week a big pattern change looks likely.  This will bring much colder weather into the Quad cities by the middle of December, and we could see some accumulating snow late Sunday and Monday.  It's a little too early to say with certainty but this storm is definitely worth watching over the next few days.  Here's a surface forecast map for next Monday, note the area of low pressure East of the QC...that's a path that often produces snow here in the winter!

Temperatures Take a Dive.......Eventually

Temperatures have been well above average and they're going to stay that way at least for the first half of the upcoming week!   The warmest day looks to be Monday.  Right now, we're forecasting a high temperature of 68°, our record high temp is 69°.  A cold front Monday night will cause temps to dip at least a little bit by Tuesday.  That's when we'll be back in the mid 50s.  The 30s don't return until next weekend!