Precipitation is beginning as a bit of rain/snow mix.  It is now snowing at WLFI & we have cooled or wet-bulbed from 39 to 33.

Snow will continue to overspread the area as any rain/snow mix goes to all snow will time.

The snow looks fairly wet, even into the overnight.  That said, there may be some blowing early in the morning as the wind cranks up, but it shouldn’t be too awfully bad.  The majority of the wind will arrive once the temperature reaches 31 mid-late morning with the gusts to 40 mph, 42 mph at times.

Snow continues to race eastward.  By 11 p.m. snow should be across the entire area as the mass overspreads us quickly.  Snow is currently just west of Peoria & Springfield, Illinois & is marching eastward.

Accumulation forecast remains unchanged.

January 27, 2012

I talked with Roger Blalock today, a longtime Purdue athletic administrator who is retiring at the end of the month after a lengthy and successful career with the Boilermakers.

I’ll always remember the first time I met Roger. It was during my first week at WLFI, October 2006, when I was covering the Boilers at the NCAA Volleyball Tournament. Roger made a very tall—-after all, he’s 6’7″—and most favorable first impression.

Boilermaker Nation is really going to miss Roger. He’s just a great guy and has worn many hats at Purdue, first as a basketball player for the Boilers in the late sixties, as an assistant basketball coach, assistant athletics director, associate athletics director, and compliance coordinator. Blalock also worked in Purdue’s Office of Admissions in many capacities, including a financial aid counselor.

The next time I see Roger Blalock in a bad mood will be the first time. He’s always ready with a hello, a smile, and always willing to engage in a very insightful and interesting conversation. It was great to see Blalock get such a nice ovation from the Mackey Arena faithful when Roger was honored at a recent Boilermakers men’s basketball game.

Enjoy retirement, Roger, you’ve earned it. And thanks for being such a class act.

Blog to you soon,

Mike

Area of snow is approaching………..10 p.m.-8 a.m. time frame still looks reasonable.

Current temperatures are 40-45 area-wide, but will cool to 32 with front & snowfall of clipper.  Eventually, they will drop to 25-30 overnight.

Period of snow will pass tonight-Saturday morning in the 10 p.m.-8 a.m. time frame, generally.  It will be rather breezy during the snow, but the bulk of the stronger winds with gusts of 40, perhaps 45 mph with steady winds at 20-25 mph will be after the snow stops.

I have beefed up the totals some & especially expanded that 1-2″ & even 2-3″ zone.  This is due to the moisture, lift in the SGZ (Snow Growth Zone) & changing snow ratios from 10:1 to more like 20:1 based on the very fluffy dendrites expected.

Nonetheless, there will be some blowing & drifting from the strong winds.

Highs will reach 32-37 Saturday, though, so melting will occur in the afternoon with sunshine appearing despite continued windy conditions.

It looks like the second clipper is going to get in here QUICKLY.  It should bring snow by Saturday night & end early Sunday.  More strong winds are likely Sunday with gusts to 40, perhaps 45 mph with steady winds at 20-25 mph.  During the snow, breezy conditions with 15-25 mph winds from the southwest & west are likely.  All this wind will blow & drift about what snow falls.

It does not look like as much snow as the first clipper, right now.  1″ or less will do for the entire viewing area.

A strong clipper with Wind Advisories is diving out of the northern Plains.  This will bring a period of snow 11 p.m.-4 a.m. & strong winds of 25-40 mph late Friday night-Saturday morning.  Blowing & drifting snow is likely with temperatures falling to 25-29.

Gusts to 40-45 mph are possible Saturday with highs in the lower to middle 30s.

Pesky low is now near the Ohio east of Louisville & pulling away.  Rain is slowing winding down (& a some flakes) as drier air works in.

A bit of snow may occur as the rain totally winds down, but it won’t be a big deal.

Rain continues with areas of ponding/flash flooding.  Upper low continues to lumber along to our southwest.  It appears to be accelerating some, but it is pulling widespread rainfall northward.

Given the amount of rainfall that has occurred & the amount this evening, ponding & flash flooding will continue to be an issue.  River flooding will continue to evolve across the area over the next several days.

Thank you spotters for your snow/sleet totals from yesterday’s winter weather!

It still appears an Alberta Clipper will bring some snow Friday night.  The time frame is generally 11 p.m.-5 a.m. with some accumulation possible.

Right now, a broken band of 1-2″ appears to be setting up in our southwestern areas, but this is subject to tweaking as new data arrives.  The rest of the area is looking at 1″ or less.

Low pressure out of Texas is moving way north towards the Ohio River, which is pushing rain way north today.  In fact, it is raining pretty much area-wide today & will do so into the evening.  Rain should exit later in the evening with areas of fog.  The rain may end as a bit of snow.

This low has been a forecast headache, as models don’t have a clear handle on its wobbling track.

After any bit of snow, drier air will arrive tonight with some gradual clearing late & a brisk wind.  Lows will drop into the middle 20s.