IS THIS HEAVEN, NO IT'S IOWA
INCHING TOWARDS MY SUPPORT GOAL
MY FUND RAISER CONTINUES....
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IS THIS HEAVEN, NO IT'S IOWA...
I was peering out the window around sunset Monday and the sky was a shade of pinkish blue, everything else was a sea of white thanks to a mantle of snow. Little puffs of snow were swirling across the yard, leading to elevated ice crystals that made for a fine pair of sundogs. The temperature was zero, the wind chill 21 below, and if somebody told me I was at the North Pole, I would have believed them. All I needed was a Polar bear or a Penguin to stroll down the sidewalk.
IN THE DEEP FREEZE
We are now fully in the loving arms of an Arctic air mass that will be in total control through Friday. The combination of cold and wind overnight is bringing wind chills of 35 below north to 20 below south. An EXTREME COLD WARNINGÂ remains in effect until noon for highly elevated and potentially dangerous cold across the NW part of my area. While it won't be quite as frigid elsewhere, the cold will still be at dangerous and impactful levels over the remainder of the area, where a COLD WEATHER ADVISORY is also in place until noon.
If you must be out for any length of time, The NWS suggests that you wear at least 3 insulated layers on top (along with a coat) to keep out wind. Additionally, add 2 layers of pants, warm sock, waterproof boots, heavy gloves or mittens, and do not forget a warm hat and face mask!
These were temperatures at 2:00am. I see now Oelwein, Iowa was at 20 below with a wind chill of minus 39!
The associated wind chills at 2:00am.
The beastly high pressure that is delivering the frigid conditions is shown ridging southward out of the Prairies of Canada into the Panhandle of Texas.
It's produced an expansive area of temperatures 30–40 degrees below normal across the Northern Plains and Midwest. Much of the nation east of the Rockies is feeling the sting.
As ugly as those two graphics are, look what happens this Sunday. All that bright red over the middle of the country is gone. Pressures are significantly lower, with high pressure weakening and drifting off to the southeast.
That allows the return flow of southerly winds and temperatures that reach levels well above normal next week.
The EURO continues to blow torch the Midwest a week from today, showing 5 consecutive days of readings in the 50s with a high on the 26th of 55 degrees in the Quad Cities!
The GFS remains more down to earth, showing mid to upper 40s. With quite a bit of snow cover to overcome, I would think the GFS has a better chance of panning out next Tuesday. That said, if that snow goes quick, (which it could due to low moisture content), chances improve for some 50s sometime next week. Either way, we are getting out of the deep freeze this weekend.
One thing seems likely, with high pressure dominating the pattern, precipitation should be scant over the next week. Here's what the EURO and GFS show for totals the next 7 days. The black hole of weather returns!
The EURO
The GFS
I do see longer term signs that the PNA will turn negative again, and that should open the door to a more active pattern the middle or end of next week. That's a wrap for now. Stay warm and think spring. I can sure tell the days are getting longer! A good sign. Roll weather, and if you can spare a donation, I will see to it that it's money well spent....TS
