FCST: Valentine's Day Snow

A quick blog update to discuss the storm system affecting our area this morning into this evening.  An area of low pressure is currently sitting over southeast Missouri with a cold front trailing into northern Arkansas and southern Oklahoma.  Another area of low pressure is visible on the water vapor loop in southeastern NE and northeastern Kansas.  This surface low and associated trough is going to bring snow to the area throughout the day today. 

Currently, snow is falling in southeast NE and SW Iowa with some areas reporting visibility down to less than 1/2 mile due to blowing snow.  Snowfall accumulations are only going to be in the 1" to 3" range with isolated 4" amounts (especially east of the local area), but the pressure gradient tightens behind the surface trough and northwest winds will increase to the 25 to 30 mph range.  Some METARS and other station reports are reporting gusts to 42 to 45 mph in southeast NE with significant reduction in visibilities.  Temperatures will bottom out in the single digits this evening across the local area.  ~ CS

NWS EAX has issued a winter weather advisory for snow and blowing snow through 6 p.m. this evening.

Water Vapor Image

EAX forecasted snow amounts for the CWA