4:55pm Wednesday: Blizzard Conditions and Flood Potential Update

Here is an overview of the flood potential and winter weather warnings.

The hunter green color from Missouri to New York is a flood watch as heavy rain falling into the snow cover will cause flooding on at least a localized basis. If you live along a stream or in a flood-prone area, please keep an eye out for rapidly-rising water.

The orange in Iowa-Minnesota is a blizzard warning for midday tomorrow into Thursday morning. Pink is a winter storm warning for snow and moderate winds. The very dark green in the UP of Michigan is a winter storm watch. Browns are high wind warnings. Magenta is a "red flag" warning for high wildfire conditions.

I want to talk a little about the blue area in Kansas and Nebraska. I believe a period of blizzard conditions will move across the region tomorrow. Because of its intensity and fast-moving nature, it may create an extreme hazard for traffic, even on the interstate highways. It will also cause major problems for aviation including the hub in Minneapolis. If you are traveling to KC, Wichita, Omaha, Des Moines or to/from or through Minneapolis, please check here for suggestions.

Here is the forecast radar for 6am CST. The dark blue area is an area where it is forecast to be snowing at a furious rate. In addition, winds are forecasting to be gusting above 40 mph.

Dr. Ryan Maue

Using a Blizzard Index developed by HazWx the probability of blizzard conditions (indicated in red) are forecast to be high. This includes both Interstates 70 and 80 and the area of intense snow and wind would be reaching I-135 in mid-morning if this is correct.

At noon Central time, the area of heavy snow is forecast to have moved east and extends along I-35 from Minneapolis to about Emporia, Kansas. Note the thunderstorms developing in Illinois.

The blizzard index at noon shows those conditions have moved east.

At 4pm, the heavy snow extends from Duluth to about Columbia, MO.

Correspondingly, the blizzard index grows in size a bit and corresponds to the area of heaviest forecast snow.

I will be updating on this threat. Also, updates on the severe thunderstorm threat will be provided but under separate titles to cut down on the length of each posting.