donsutherland1

New York City’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean moderates its temperatures, but provides additional moisture for snowfall. As a result, even as New York City has slightly fewer measurable snow events each year than Kansas City does, its events are bigger and its snowfall average is greater. On account of the larger temperature extremes, Kansas City can see earlier or later snowfalls than New York City. Frequency of First Measurable Snowfall before November 1 (1991-2020): Kansas City: 6 cases New York City: 1 case Frequency of Last Measurable Snowfall on or after April 1 (1991-2020): Kansas City: 9 cases New York City: 5 cases Days per Year for Select Snowfall Amounts (1991-2020): Kansas City: Measurable: 13.8; 2” or more: 2.8; 4” or more: 1.0; 6” or more: 0.5 New York City: Measurable: 11.4; 2” or more: 4.7; 4” or more: 2.8; 6” or more: 1.4 Total Days with 10” or More Snowfall (1991-2020): Kansas City: 1 New York City: 11

The temperature at Philadelphia has fallen from 72 degrees at 1 pm to 58 degrees at 2 pm during a thunderstorm. The temperature will likely fall sharply in New York City once the cold front moves through.

Incredible scenes.

Hambden, OH: 8.0”

That’s impressive. It’s a special event.

How much snow have you had?

Ottawa Hills (2 NE), OH: 7.0”

Louisville picked up 0.4” of snow yesterday. That broke the daily record of a Trace, which was set in 1953. It was only the 3rd measurable snowfall on record on April 20th or later.

Typo on my part. Yes, it’s Ohio.

Morning thoughts... At 7:40 am, the late-season storm that brought daily record snowfall to many parts of the Midwest was bringing snow to Buffalo. Already, amounts in excess were being reported in the greater Buffalo area. As that storm tracks into Quebec, it will drag a strong cold front across the region. Passage of that front could be marked by a squall line with strong thunderstorms, damaging winds, and even some hail. Today will be partly sunny and unseasonably warm. Showers and thunderstorms are likely this afternoon. High temperatures will likely reach the middle and upper 60s in most of the region. Likely high temperatures around the region include: New York City (Central Park): 68° Newark: 68° Philadelphia: 65° Tomorrow will be variably cloudy and blustery. The temperature will struggle to reach the lower 50s.

Gorgeous photos.

Point Place (1 W), OH: 6.0”

It was borderline. I don’t have issues with the choice. I suspect that if the heaviest accumulations were likely near rush hour, then there would have been an advisory. Either way, this is a really special event.

I have no issues with the call. I just posted the criteria.

IND’s advisory criteria can be found here: https://www.weather.gov/ind/criteria Although 3”-5” is the threshold, there is an optional 2”-4” threshold. So, it was an event for which the NWS could have gone either way.

Yes, that’s hail. For example, on August 11, 1989 and August 12, 1989, a trace was recorded. Temperature ranges on those days were 79-58 and 83-58 respectively. Both days had some thunderstorms. A temperature-based rule would flag those items for quality control. Unfortunately, the quality control algorithms don’t take into consideration such events. One can find them listed for numerous locations.

2.4” snow fell on May 2, 1897. There’s a chance that this storm could surpass that figure.

Wauseon (9 NW), OH: 4.0”

It appears that Indianapolis has reached 1.0” of snow. That would make today’s snowfall only the second on record where 1.0” or more snow fell on or after April 20th. The only other time that occurred was way back on May 2, 1897. This is also Indianapolis’ first measurable snowfall on or after April 20th since May 6, 1989.

As of 8 pm EDT, Indianapolis had picked up 0.9” of snow. That sets a daily record for April 20. Prior to 2021, no measurable snow had been recorded on April 20th.

As of 8 pm, light accumulations of snow have been reported around the greater Indianapolis area. It is all but certain that 2021 is the first case with measurable snowfall there on April 20th. 1.5” of snow had also been reported at Romulus, MI. Overall, it looks like Detroit remains in line for 2”-4” of snow, Indianapolis for 1”-2”, and Toledo with 3”-6”. However, it appears that snowfall amounts will be a little less than I first thought for Toronto (2”-4”/5 cm - 10 cm).

At 7 pm, snow was falling and accumulating in such cities as Indianapolis, where no measurable snow events had previously been recorded on April 20, Toledo and Detroit. Earlier in the day, Kansas City experienced its biggest snowfall on record after April 8, as 3.5" of snow accumulated. That storm will bring snow from the Great Lakes region into western and upstate New York State tonight into tomorrow. The snow will extend into parts of Ontario and Quebec, including Montreal and Quebec City. Snowfall estimates and daily records: Buffalo: 3"-6"; April 20: 5.5", 1901; April 21: 1.3", 1934 Detroit: 2"-4"; April 20: 1.2", 1947; April 21: 0.3", 1978 Indianapolis: 1"-2"; April 20: None; April 21: 0.7", 1901 Toledo: 3"-6"; April 20: 0.3", 2013; April 21: 2.0", 1922 Toronto: 2"-4" (5-10 cm); April 20: 0.9" (2.2 cm), 1978; April 21: 2.7" (6.9 cm), 1945 Windsor, ON: 2"-4" (5-10 cm); April 20: 0.9" (2.3 cm), 1947; April 21: 0.8" (2.0 cm), 1986 Farther east, the Middle Atlantic and southern New England regions will see readings rise into the 60s ahead of the strong cold front that will be pushed across the region as the storm far to the north and west of the region. A squall line with strong thunderstorms, damaging winds and possibly hail will mark the cold front's passage. Thursday morning and perhaps Friday morning could see the temperature fall below 40° in New York City. This could be the last time the temperature falls into the 30s in Central Park until next fall. The guidance is suggesting that the month could close with much above normal temperatures. Such an outcome would be consistent with the MJO's having moved through Phase 6 at a very high amplitude during the April 1-15 period. Since 1974, there were 7 cases where the MJO reached Phase 6 at an amplitude of 1.500 or above during April 5-15, as was the case this year. Only 1981 had an April 20-30 maximum temperature below 80° (75°). The average highest figure for such cases was 81.3°. The MJO's ongoing passage through Phase 7 at a very high amplitude is consistent with an outcome that typically yields 1-2 80° days. The ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly was -0.9°C and the Region 3.4 anomaly was -0.4°C for the week centered around April 14. For the past six weeks, the ENSO Region 1+2 anomaly has averaged -0.33°C and the ENSO Region 3.4 anomaly has averaged -0.47°C. Neutral-cool ENSO conditions are now developing. Neutral ENSO conditions will likely be in place by the end of spring. The SOI was +21.41 today. The preliminary Arctic Oscillation (AO) figure was +0.172 today. On April 18 the MJO was in Phase 7 at an amplitude of 1.932 (RMM). The April 17-adjusted amplitude was 1.750 (RMM). Based on sensitivity analysis applied to the latest guidance, there is an implied 69% probability that New York City will have a warmer than normal April. April will likely finish with a mean temperature near 53.9° (0.9° above normal).

Kansas City picked up 3.2" of snow. That is its biggest daily snowfall and snowstorm so late in the season. The prior records are here: https://www.americanwx.com/bb/topic/54810-april-19-21-late-season-snow-potential/?do=findComment&comment=5986577

Yes.

As of 7 am CDT, Kansas City had picked up 2.6" of snow. Additional snow has fallen since that time. As a result, today's snowfall could wind up being the largest daily snowfall this late in the season and it could also be Kansas City's biggest snowstorm this late in the season. Existing records (April 10 or later): Daily Snowfall: 2.7", April 20, 1992 Biggest Snowstorm: 2.8", April 20-21, 1992 Prior to the 1992 snowstorm: Daily snowfall: 2.8", April 9, 1961 7.0", April 8, 1938 (occurred April 7-8, with a trace of snow on April 7 as rain changed to snow) Biggest snowstorms so late in the season: 4.0", April 8-9, 1983 7.0", April 7-8, 1938