All Activity

Such a fiesty little model. Too bad I don't trust it. Would be nice though

I think he means the AO and NAO are more important this time of year vs earlier in the season

55 here today with clear skies...alot of melting...tomorrow's 1.50 inches of rain will take care of alot of the rest

That’s Phil

And ftr, I do realize my data set is very limited, so not making huge extrapolations off of 5 years, just generally commenting on what has happened thus far.

We’re too far north for sun, too far south for clippers, too far east for upslope, and too far west for Miller Bs lol.

I've lived here for 5 winters now and we only cracked 30" twice even though our season average is roughly 37" give or take. While climate change can mean bigger storms, it also means warmer weather and I assume it's only going to get more difficult year after year to get the right combination. I would not be surprised to see the average snowfall for this decade fall several inches, unless something extreme happens in the remaining 3. 1 of which will be an El Nino. I'm also concerned by how dry it has been the majority of time I've lived here. Lived in the city proper prior, and don't honestly remember how wet/dry it was b/c I didn't have a yard or plants that needed watered. Since moving here, it has seemed the city has gotten some extreme rainfall events that were relatively localized and didn't affect us up here. I'm guessing heat island has something to do with that. While it's overall very depressing as a lover of all things winter, the extreme weather events will at least be exciting (unless/until they destroy my house). Didn't plan on going all Day After Tomorrow on you.......

That ptype map is messed up

We 50s here now. Beautiful day. Phenomenal year for snow retention though. We’re melting but good pack still on my property.

hrrr went wild.

18z HRRR looks fun

How can you get a cutter if the trough is far enough east? Also if the flow is fast enough a storm won't be able to amplify enough to cut. We have had MANY snow events without blocking. 2013/2014 is a great example. Not sure why it has to be KU or nothing

Absolutely ebbs and flows. Its just how the weather goes. Its VERY rare to get continuous action all winter long, and Chicago had a fairly snowy Nov, Dec, & Jan. Imagine how it is on the east coast when snowfall is even far less frequent, and not knowing how many years til the next big noreaster. 1890-91: Chicagos snow depth on Jan 5th was 1"...they wouldnt see that again until 4.7" of snow hit March 2nd. 1930-31: Chicago had a dry winter with very little snowfall. The snow depth never exceeded 1" through February. In fact, after a snow depth of 1" on Jan 21st, Chicago would see bare ground (few days of T depth) until March 7th when a 16.2" snowstorm belted them. 1991-92: February saw no snow on the ground, but a 8.8" snowstorm hit Chicago March 21st. 2016-17: Jan-Feb combined for just 0.6" of snow at Chicago. No days had 1"+ snowcover from Dec 26 until March 13th, when a 7.3" snowstorm hit. Theres many more similar examples.

Anafronts are like the only systems I've ever jacked here. Maybe Jan 2011 was close to a jack

dealing with some flooding back home; don't think this bridge has an 8' clearance anymore!

The latest subzero temp on record at Chicago is -1, 3/22/1888 and only 17 total dips below zero on record for the month of March.

360 hours? Fun to look at, but I wouldn't put any money on it.

The sun actually feels warm in the car again. First time since early November. 51 degrees and sunny here. Snow and ice melt galore, even in the shade. I feel like doing an Irish square dance! Spring is coming on fast!

Badly in need of a road wash. Looking grimy out here.

The upper peninsula of Michigan is warmer than us. BLAHHHHH!!!

Outside of LES zones one might think hoping to track numerous winter storms in this area every year is by in large a waste of time. Or at least an exercise in long term patience. Except for some favorable pattern years ie 13-14,07-08, and some big dogs; most years the reality of our snow climate falls well short of weather enthusiasts tracking hopes.

Some body last week said they would be tanning in the warmth St Patricks day

56F

Mostly sunny and 49 here with melt ongoing. Can now see grass across east facing backyard for the first time in better than 2 months. Plowed mounds slow to go but actual snow cover is down to not more than 50% coverage with an average depth of 2" and dwindling.

This is when you pull away.