beavis1729

Assuming there wasn't an intra-hour bump, today's high of 9 at RFD sets a new record for the coldest max temp so late in the season. Normal high is 41. Other notable cold highs: 9 on 3/2/2014 10 on 3/8/1932 11 on 3/9/2003 12 on 3/17/1941...probably the most impressive

Interesting that the coldest temps in the UP often occur in mid February to early March, after Lake Superior is mostly frozen and therefore doesn’t moderate the air flowing over it. Then you also get the occasional warm day in late March, where temps warm into the 50s with 4 feet of snow on the ground...but you only lose 2” of depth because the snow is so dense. Good times.

The snowfall and % of mean maps are nice, but completely miss the tenor of a given season. For example, you would think Milwaukee and Chicago were both in the same blah situation this winter...but my brother and his family live in the northern suburbs of Milwaukee, and they have had a decent stretch since January 10th or so (generally 3” or more of snow cover the entire time)...whereas Chicago has been pretty crappy. ORD had the November storm which melted in 3 days, and Milwaukee didn’t...which skews the numbers. Of course the numbers are what they are...but it tells a severely incomplete story. Are there any maps of season-to-date SDDs (snow depth days)? This is the cumulative total of adding each day’s snow depth in inches. Gives a much better picture of how the winter has been, because it depends on temperature, snowfall, retention, and consistency of winterlike conditions.

Wausau, WI obliterated their all-time monthly snowfall record. And, Rhinelander, WI beat their Feb snowfall record by 22"...and the record had stood for 82 years. Wausau All-time Snowiest Months on Record Rank Snowfall Month/Year 1. 54.3 Feb 2019 2. 37.6 Dec 2008 3. 36.2 Mar 1956 4. 35.5 Mar 1985 5T. 34.5 Apr 2018 5T. 34.5 Feb 1945 Rhinelander February Snowfall Records Rank Snowfall Year 1. 61.5 2019 2. 39.5 1937 3. 28.5 2012 4. 28.0 1940

Duluth might end up with the 3rd longest stretch on record for consecutive days below freezing. Right now the streak is 52 days. Top 5 streaks are: 76 days in 1874-75 72 days in 1978-79 59 days in 1928-29 59 days in 1970-71 59 days in 1993-94 INL won’t get anywhere close to their record of 101 days in 1978-79...wow.

Bismarck, ND just had their 5th coldest DJF on record. Mean DJF temp was -0.4F. The only colder DJFs on record were 1978-79, 1935-36, 1886-87, 1874-75. Of course DJF 1935-36 was incredibly cold, with a mean temp of -11.4F. I'm guessing that Feb 2019 (mean temp -0.4F, departure of -18.5F from 1981-2010 normals) was the 2nd coldest Feb on record in Bismarck, behind Feb 1936. https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/bismarck/bismarck-s-winter-coldest-in-a-generation/article_3838c9a9-0199-5853-86f4-f8815b21539a.html Edit: Amazingly enough, Williston ND had an even colder February 2019. Mean temp -4.5F, departure from normal -21.4F. Coldest day of the month was 2/8/2019, with a high/low of -9/-43, departure -41.

I consider Wausau to be the gateway to the north woods, which is partly why I like it. Definitely better winters than here. January normals of 25/5 (as opposed to 30/15) makes a big difference. Plus the notably shorter days in Dec and Jan adds to the winter feel.

Yeah, Rib Mountain is cool. Also some good restaurants and breweries.

The Wausau record is only for DJF, not the whole season.

But December being a turd is a big deal...and, yes, I agree that December was bad over much of the Midwest this season, not just here. But we often have crappy Decembers here...whereas they are much more rare at 45N and north. Our chance for a White Christmas is only 50/50 I believe...not good. Snow cover here has been patchy over the last 4 weeks...but a lot of bare spots mixed in, especially on the roadways. That's why I say 2"+ of snow cover, so that there aren't bare spots. And the lakes have frozen for awhile, then melted, then frozen again...just not consistent. You're right that, in our area (Lake County), it has been better than 30-50 miles south. But that's not saying much - nothing to write home about. It also didn't help that it warmed up to 50 after it hit -27 in late Jan. That tarnished the record cold, in my opinion...as it obliterated a 12"+ snow pack during the heart of winter. That just shouldn't happen. It's always "riding the line". If the snow pack got cut in half, fine...but it just vaporized. And that happens a lot in winters here. Up and down, up and down...

Agree that it's not the best for a snow weenie...but it's not bad for a winter weenie. Big difference. At least the lakes freeze up there dependably every winter, and there's a pretty regular snow pack from mid-December to the end of Feb.

Yeah, I understand. Sure, some thaws are ok...but not the intense and/or long-lasting thaws that wipe out a snowpack over and over and over again during DJF, and not thaws that melt the ponds & lakes once they finally freeze. It's hard enough to get everything to go right to get a decent snowpack in the first place...and then it's always under threat of vanishing. All that effort is wasted. Snow pack should gradually build though winter, with of course some setbacks...but not this crazy nonsense of 2", then bare ground, then 5", then bare ground, then 7", then bare ground, etc. Not saying winter needs to be like the snow belts of the UP...but simply for seasons to be seasons...and having snow on the ground is a pretty important characteristic of what winter means. Heck, even 75-85% of days with 2"+ of snow cover in DJF would be ok...doesn't need to be 100%. But not 25%, like this year. The most important thing is being able to count on it regularly from year to year...like sunrises and sunsets...which unfortunately we can't do. It's frustrating to have to count on a good pattern to have wintry weather; the calendar showing DJF should be enough.

Of course my comments below not directed at you specifically. And, I truly truly appreciate your contributions to the board and at LOT. With that said...this is the type of comment that drives winter weather lovers crazy. I guess our standards are pretty high relative to climo...but that's because a climo DJF here is not "winter". So, for people who love winter, they can't tolerate an average DJF. Very simple. Total snowfall is only one of many metrics on which winter should be judged. Sure, ORD is technically above normal snowfall...but there is no snow cover...and it has been that way for the majority of the winter. That is what matters. And "very active" doesn't mean anything if most of the "active" part does not involve a wintry feel. Winter is not event-driven; it's a season, a tenor, and a mood. And that has not existed this winter in Chicago...and, to be honest, it very rarely does in any year. This is even true this season in the northern suburbs, even though it has been a bit better than ORD and the city itself. Sure, there have been a couple of decent snowstorms and the 2-day cold wave...but thaws have been way way way way way too frequent. ORD has only had 22 days in DJF with 2+" of snow cover. In other words, about 25% of the days. That is pathetic and is not winter. Meanwhile, you go to Wausau WI (a mere 4 hours north by car) and they've had 48" of snow in Feb, with a current 30" snow depth. Really not that far away as the crow flies. Hypothetically, if Dallas TX had their coldest DJF on record this season, it doesn't mean that Dallas had a wintry DJF. It just means they were colder and snowier than normal. But that doesn't really matter. Winter is objective criteria, not "relative to climo". I have a met degree from NIU and I know our horrific climo way too well, regardless of how much I don't accept it. And I was fortunate enough to intern at LOT in 1995, during the July heat wave. A great experience with great people. I am saying this not because having a met degree matters a lot to the dialogue here...but to illustrate that, if anything, it makes the non-winters around here all the more painful because I realize too well how Chicago is on the southern edge of the winter gradient in North America. It is maddening, especially because the entire public (and even the met comments in NWS AFDs) views things differently. It's always "good news" when temps warm above freezing!! Hooray for the public!!!! You'd think people on a weather board would see things a different way. Similar to a heat wave; I would root for a 105F/120F heat index day in July, just for the novelty...even though most people dread it. Why is this so complicated for people to understand, especially on a weather board where people enjoy and love winter? I'm not even saying this in an angry way...but why can't anyone relate to it, and join the party? Not everything is logical. If you're a Cubs fan, you rooted for 108 years in futility, until 2016. But you still loved the Cubs and hoped for the best, despite what logic told you. If you love winter, you want DJF to resemble winter, where you don't have to worry about thaws, lakes not freezing, snow melting, etc. Chicago can be good for wintry events, but not winter. Huge difference. It should be a matter of 5" or 15" snow cover in Feb...not "none vs. some". Gradually building up snow pack through the winter. Those kinds of things. These are facts about what winter means. It's not winter when there is the possibility of green grass and unfrozen lakes in DJF. In November or March, I get it...but not in winter. Not very complicated. I would love to see a Chicago resident live a winter in northern WI. Not even the UP with a ton of snow...just a place that has a regular, dependable winter. Yeah, I know I was supposed to be in hibernation...

Glad you’re ok Jonger. Took my son snowmobiling for the first time last weekend, around the Bergland / Ontonagon / Silver City area in the UP. Beautiful area and great trail conditions. Did about 120 miles. About 20 degrees in the day and 5 at night. There was about 2-3 feet on the ground...it was before the recent big storm.

Congrats Bo!! Incredible stuff. You should become a COOP observer for the NWS. You may set all kinds of snow records for MI. I think MQT's record depth is 63" in March 1990; not sure about the MI state record. Ok, back to my self-imposed exile.

This is a complete disgrace. My kids build snow forts last week and go sledding and ice skating, when we finally get some wintry weather in this joke of a season...and then it’s all gone. 15” of snow cover melted in 2 days. It would be bad enough to lose 5” in 2 days during DJF; even that should never happen. Last week, it looked like the ponds and lakes may actually freeze solid for a long time, until mid March like it should...but now they are melting out already. How can this happen? It was -27 four days ago, and the lakes are melting now????? It’s completely unacceptable. There is no other way to describe it. When a pattern relaxes or turns “unfavorable”, it should mean a modest 5-10” of snowfall over a couple week period, and mild temps in the 20s. Then, the good/decent 2 week periods should be 15”+ of snow with cold temps, like what happened in the second half of January. It should never get above freezing in DJF. Doesn’t need to be below zero consistently like last week...but winter is a season, not a “series of events”. I am so sick of people’s expectations being so low. We should not have to hope for the EPO, AO, ENSO, etc. to behave a certain way in order to have wintry weather. We have had 3 weeks of winter out of 9 DJF weeks this season so far. That is not winter. And parts of the Chicago area have only had 2 weeks, as they missed out on the November storm. Are there ever any summers where only 2 weeks out of 9 feel like summer???? In most summers (June 10th to Sep 10th), 90% of the days feel like summer. In summer, people don’t worry about needing the right pattern or indices to get summer weather. In July and August, it’s summerlike because the calendar says it’s summer. Very simple!!! It’s always something. In early December, when you would think it’s time to get excited about winter due to the short days, normal highs are still around 40. That is not winter...so what is the point of getting excited about the short days?? Then in late January, the daylight is getting noticeably longer. In February, the sun angle increases. Of course it doesn’t mean that snow can’t stick...but it has a big impact on snow retention. In February, there is noticeable snow melt on sunny days with highs in the 20s. That shouldn’t happen. So then we are left with 6 weeks of what you would think is decent, stable winter. But even during this time, highs in the 30s or warmer are fairly common...which is ridiculous. Good luck retaining snow with those temps. Even our coldest time of year isn’t winter!!! But nobody gives a crap. How can people just accept this? How can people keep pretending that we have winter? Sure, we have “occasional wintry weather”, but not winter. There is a huge difference. What is the point of having any interest in winter. It is a false hope...every single ****** year. I am so so so angry I could scream at everyone in the entire state. It is an abomination. Good bye all. I cannot take this anymore. May be back next winter, but probably not. Not worth the anxiety and trouble. Best wishes to all of you. This is nothing personal against anyone. I just can’t take the inner anger and sadness anymore. And yes, I would like to move...but I need to support my family here in this ******* for at least 10 more years. Trying to save as much as possible to leave sooner.

Hmmm...maybe because it’s winter?? Do people root for freezing temps in early August?? It’s not very complicated...same ******* with the warministas every year. Please just let seasons be seasons. 3 months of winter, 3 months of summer. Enjoy the weekend and the super bowl...at least it’s something to take our mind off this garbage.

Word has it that the EPS has a pretty strong -EPO in the long range. If so, it could be a decent pattern in the Midwest. Just need to get through this disaster over the next few days. 3 weeks of decent winter weather gets completely wiped out in 2 days...unfortunately it’s par for the course in our horrible climo south of 45N.

Ha ha, you would think so...but our winter climo is horrible, meaning that we are left to actually be appreciative when it actually feels like winter during DJF. Even though we have had a decent 2 week stretch in the second half of January, winter is supposed to be 13 weeks, not 2. The first 7 weeks of met winter were a disaster, and now we have to deal with a huge thaw when it took so much to go right in order to get our winter landscape to where it is today. Such is life here...just a fact, not complaining about anything. It makes one appreciate any winter-like pattern here when it does occur.

Very impressive

Made a late rally here, dropped to -27. And I wouldn’t call MBY a great radiator. Decent at best. ORD was kind of caught between a rock and a hard place. Too much west wind, and there was no colder air to advect in, given that the background airmass was warming significantly. Yeah, it would have been helpful for them to radiate for longer...but the winds did die down at many nearby areas at least for a little while, with a corresponding temp drop. So why not at ORD? It’s really hard to physically explain how ORD only managed -21, especially with the great starting point of -14 at 6 pm yesterday...one of the coldest temps in the area at that time. If you would have asked me at 6 pm last night, I would have said 50% chance of hitting -28, 90% chance of -25, 99% chance of -23. What it tells me is that ORD is an even worse radiator than we thought. Would it have really mattered if winds were calmer most of the night? I guess we will never know. Places in northern WI that warmed up to near 0 yesterday afternoon still fell to -30 this morning. Nice to see new all time record lows at MLI and RFD.

MLI dropped 18 degrees in the past 6 hours, and ORD only 3. Funny how microclimates and local conditions can vary over relatively short distances.

Yep. Still 10 hours of cooling time, but I think the winds need to diminish by midnight at both RFD and ORD in order to have a shot at the record. -23 at ARR with 5 mph winds. -20 at FEP with 3 mph winds...I figured it would be colder there by now.

Looks like ORD is still -15 at 7pm. Need the winds to start lightening up, as there really isn't any significantly colder air to advect from elsewhere. RFD down to -19, as the winds have dropped off to 9 mph. DPA and DKB -17. Today is the coldest day in Rockford's history. Daily average temp -19 (-13/-25), breaking the old record of -18.5 (-14/-23) on 1/18/1994. And the record could be broken even more if RFD drops below -25 before midnight.