Meteorologists don’t like to admit it, but sometimes storms just sneak up on you. We certainly had snow in the forecast for Wednesday. A “few inches” we thought, but the atmosphere had other ideas.
Weather models didn’t catch a southward wobble in a Minnesota storm until Tuesday — a storm that stalled, pulling warmth and moisture into a narrow, 40-mile-wide “deformation zone” of rapidly rising air. That band of snow stalled over the southern suburbs, resulting in some 4- to 8-inch amounts. MSP airport officially had 7.6 inches, the biggest snowfall of the winter to date. Yes, when weather stalls, crazy things can happen (the 1991 Halloween superstorm, for instance).
Today’s storm tracks too far south and east for significant snow in Minnesota. Iowa and central Wisconsin will pick up some plowable amounts.
My advice once again is to play in the snow this weekend (highs in the 20s), because 30s and a few 40s return in late February and early March.
Meanwhile, Hovland, on the North Shore, saw 38.6 inches over two days, potentially a new Cook County record. Jealous.
