McHenrySnow

On the edge of the heaviest returns I've seen all winter. Hard to imagine I'd be this excited over a "clipper-lite."

Closing in on half an inch.

Good burst in McHenry currently. Decent flake size and getting breezy. 

even more off-topic, but what is the difference between "pro forecaster" and "meteorologist" on here? also, how do you get this recognition? 

Just now, mississaugasnow said:

Winter in the southern Great Lakes is also never supposed to be sustained cold and snow on the ground from November-March lol. Toronto-Detroit-Chicago are supposed to see numerous thaws with temperatures normally getting into the 50s almost every year in winter. 

I understand April will (normally) never be wall-wall 70s and sun but January is never (normally) supposed to be wall-wall 15F heavy snow and lows of 0F. 

Ummm......duh? 

2 minutes ago, kevlon62 said:

In on that and it makes all the difference (for me).

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We definitely don't have the snowpack Rockford has, but overall the ground remains covered in an average of probably 2" of snow/sleet with only a few patches of grass here and there and some areas deeper (like most of my backyard). I'm grateful and it's been the only saving grace. 

1 minute ago, mimillman said:

I’m not arguing that April should feature sustained cold and snow, I’m arguing that it has featured abnormal, unseasonal snows the past 2 years, along with May and October.

No, you seem to be arguing it should be 75 and sunny every day in April and that's nonsensical. 

1 minute ago, mimillman said:

That’s not my point

Your point is what? You have very selective memory? 

Yes, we had two big snows in April 2019, but the month as a whole averaged above normal temp-wise. Snow in April, even several inches, lasts for a day or two and then it's 70º again. 

Spring in the Great Lakes isn't supposed to be sustained warmth. Never has been. 

14 minutes ago, mimillman said:

Snowed twice in May in downtown Chicago last year. We’ve had accumulating snowfalls multiple times per April the past two years in a row. Halloween snow seems to have happened twice in the past 3 years and Novembers have been cold with the exception of this past one. Only trouble is DJF

It only snowed on Halloween 2019. May 2020 was slightly above normal temp-wise and April 2020 was only slightly below temp-wise. 

Hilarious when you think about it. 

3 minutes ago, andyhb said:

I doubt a lot of people want winter to continue into April either.

You'd have to have a winter for it to extend into April. Not to mention, it's next to impossible to have sustained cold and snow in April thanks to the sun angle and longer days alone. 

17 minutes ago, mississaugasnow said:

Mid March-Mid May around the Great Lakes might be the most depressing weather of the year. Any big time cold outbreak isn't winter legit its 42F with showers and wet snow flakes with higher terrain seeing 3-6". Its mud season and worst of all everyone just outside the immediate great lakes is enjoying 70s-80s like Missouri, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois  (away from the lakes). While MN, NY, PA, MI get non stop back door cold fronts. 

Its part of our climo and im used to it but thats why I want an above average spring haha. 

Yeah, and I love it. 

I can't explain how much I hate summer. Spring is okay, but we don't ever have a real spring. It goes from winter to summer it seems like. 

3 minutes ago, mississaugasnow said:

Ya, right now nothing will be blooming as even though it seems warmer its mostly the nighttime lows. Looking back at Toronto January so far and most days were in the mid 30s and lows in mid 20s. 

Im hoping we see 1-2 more legit snowstorms of at least 4-8 inches and some decent cold in the single digits and then crank the thermostat for March and April haha. 

I had tulips sprouting a few weeks ago. 

Can't imagine the desire for an above normal spring. it's already going to be 80 + for three months straight, minimum. Move to Florida!

Looking like we might be able to squeeze an inch out tomorrow afternoon/evening in Northern Illinois. This winter, that's a big deal. 

20 minutes ago, mimillman said:

GFS says next weekend ain't over

I don't hate it. 

18 minutes ago, Hoosier said:

Not gonna worry about it but the extended looks more cuttery or flirting with cuttery than I'd like to see.

Amazing, right? High-lat blocking is going to prevent cutters....blah blah blah. I need to get off this site and all other weather-related sites for a while for my mental health. Won't happen, but it should. 

34 minutes ago, beavis1729 said:

Appreciate your comments...I just figure that all snow lovers would get frustrated by our climo...and people could at least agree on that, with so much anger and discord in the world right now.  You and others seem to deal with our climo more maturely than I do.  I have a met degree, so I understand climo and the science behind meteorology...but what always drove me to pursue that path was a love of winter.  So, of course much of what I say on this forum doesn't make logical sense.  I'm in denial about winters here...and just can't get past it.

I'm not trolling.  What I'm trying to accomplish is to have others share in my frustration...and maybe even to share in nostalgia to talk about the great patterns of the past, and what we should be looking for to make it happen again.  That's why the NE forum is fun.  Even with some challenging personalities, there is robust discussion and remembrance of historical storms...and it's filled with hope and weenies.  That's a good thing...an escape from the modern world.

It's difficult enough being on an island in the world as a snow lover...and then to be on an island even on a snow-loving forum like this is even stranger.  When first joining this forum 10 years ago, I figured most people would be like me...but that's not what happened.

Snow & arctic cold lovers don't fit into the modern world, especially the suburban/urban Chicago metro area. This current winter, especially with Covid, is the icing on the cake.  The lack of snowfall is bad enough...but there just hasn't been any cold all winter.  Where did it go?  It just doesn't feel right.  Even if you use climo as the benchmark...ORD's normal low is around 15, and imby it's probably around 13.  We've had two days all season with a low temp colder than this.

Doesn't everyone on here not just understand the frustration...but feel it too?

I understand and feel it. I won't bash you. 

1 minute ago, Baum said:

who knew you could be underwhelmed when expecting an inch plus?

The sun just came out and we’re above freezing now! lol

0.25” fell and now melting. smdh. 

12 minutes ago, Hoosier said:

It has some things going for it, but seems kinda optimistic.  I'd lean on the lower end of the map for here, which would be maybe 2"

There may be some localized 4" areas, but it's gonna have to really overperform. LOT usually is more on the conservative side so I was surprised by this forecast. 

18 minutes ago, Cary67 said:

Don't let MchenrySnow know were in the shaft zone again

I'm just surprised they went so gung-ho with the 2-4" area considering no models really seem to indicate it.  

3 hours ago, RCNYILWX said:

Are you right in the town of McHenry? We can send your report as an LSR once you have your final measurement.

Nice to have a mini event that performed exactly to expectations.

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1.25" 3 S McHenry

It's almost entirely melted now. 

3 hours ago, RCNYILWX said:

Are you right in the town of McHenry? We can send your report as an LSR once you have your final measurement.

Nice to have a mini event that performed exactly to expectations.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
 

3 miles south of downtown McHenry. 1.25” is pretty much final. 

1.25" here a snowing lightly, with temps slightly above freezing and the sun being up, there won't be anymore accumulation. I'm pleased.