Found Dog

FOUND DOG: Please help reunite me with my owner. I was found at 3075 N Washington St in Kokomo. I had been rolled by a car and was a bit shaken and have some road rash but am going to be fine. I have no ID tag or chip and am a female about 12 weeks old. I am very friendly. Please share this with your Kokomo friends.... (Also feel free to leave a comment in case I need a new home.)

 You can call me at work during the day at 452-3060 and ask for Jim (and the dog) too to claim (or adopt if the owner is not found)...

Southern/Central Indiana: Tornado Watch

Howard County is not included in the current tornado watch.  Still, keep alert for severe weather and expect a lot of rain and flooding.

Watch Boxes West...

An Overnight Severe Threat

The threat for severe weather will be with us overnight but should exit the area by mid morning tomorrow.  Heavy rains if 1 to 2 inches is likely.  Given the saturated ground from the snow melt, some flooding and ponding of water is possible.

Right now the severe threat will be greatest from 11 PM to 6 AM. 

Severe Weather Season Starts Early...

Our severe weather season should kick off tomorrow.  The main threat will be from 7 PM through Monday morning.  Storms will transition from a more discrete solution into a linear solutions.  Here are the 3 AM and 7 AM simulated radars for Monday morning.

The SPC has us under a slight risk already.  I could see an area from Little Rock to Springfield Mo to Paduch, KY to Nashville upgraded to High Risk before this is all said and done.

I will be watching and updating this threat throughout Sunday.  It would be a good time to check your weather radio and batteries.  You don't want to be asleep if this hits and you need to take shelter. 

No matter how the severe weather plays out, we are going to see quite a bit or rain. 

Dry Air

When I finally went to bed at 2:45 Am with just a trace of snow after several hours of nice radar returns, I know my updated forecast was in trouble.  The dry air just kept eating away at the snow.

I kept seeing higher snow amounts on the short range yesterday and finally decided to up my forecast to 4-7".  The higher end didn't verify at all.  My original 3-5" call (and a snow day for area schools) was perfect.  I honestly think I might have to count the forecast as a bust.

More fun ahead.  I'll detail that in a later forecast...

Patience - It will be worth it...

The heavy snow is still coming.  It has taken a while to fully saturate the column but things should be starting up soon locally.  The heaviest snow was not expected until after midnight.  The best news is we should avoid any mixing issues here and remain all snow.

Forecast: 4-7" Snow

Lots of Moisture...

This system looks juicy and I think I need to update my forecast to 4 to 7 inches for this storm.  (Our biggest storm system of the season was just 6 inches.) 

3-5" Snowfall & No School Friday...

My call remains the same!

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 10 AM EST FRIDAY...

...WINTER STORM TO IMPACT PORTIONS OF CENTRAL INDIANA TONIGHT...

.A DEVELOPING LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL PUSH NORTHEAST ALONG A
FRONTAL BOUNDARY NEAR THE OHIO RIVER TODAY AND TONIGHT. AS THIS
SYSTEM PASSES TO THE EAST...COLDER AIR WILL FILTER INTO CENTRAL
INDIANA...ALLOWING FOR RAIN TO QUICKLY CHANGEOVER TO ALL SNOW
LATE THURSDAY EVENING AND OVERNIGHT. SNOWFALL AMOUNTS APPROACHING
6 INCHES APPEAR POSSIBLE ACROSS NORTHERN PORTIONS OF CENTRAL
INDIANA TONIGHT AND EARLY FRIDAY...ESPECIALLY IN THE LAFAYETTE AND
KOKOMO AREAS.


...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING
TO 10 AM EST FRIDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING
TO 10 AM EST FRIDAY.

* MAIN IMPACT: ROADS MAY BECOME IMPASSABLE DUE TO HEAVY SNOW AND
DRIFTS...BLOWING SNOW MAY REDUCE VISIBILITY...TRAVEL MAY
BECOME VERY HAZARDOUS.

* ACCUMULATIONS: SNOWFALL AMOUNTS OF UP TO 6 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE
BY FRIDAY MORNING.

* TIMING: RAIN WILL CHANGE OVER TO ALL SNOW BY MIDNIGHT...WITH
SNOW BECOMING HEAVY OVERNIGHT.

* OTHER IMPACTS: A VERY BRIEF PERIOD OF FREEZING RAIN OR SLEET
MAY ACCOMPANY THE CHANGEOVER TO SNOW. STRONG NORTHEAST WINDS
GUSTING TO 25 TO 30 MPH EARLY FRIDAY WILL CAUSE BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW. SNOW WILL LIKELY LINGER THROUGH THE MORNING
RUSH HOUR FRIDAY BEFORE ENDING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL
MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

Snow...

The wet and snowy weather pattern will also produce a narrow band of freezing rain.  It will be close but I am expecting us to see a minimum problems from freezing rain.  We should stay mostly snow.  I still like my 3-5 inch call.

The band of the best snow is pretty narrow so this will be a storm which will need to be closely watched. 

GFS is a bit broader with its precipitation.

I have not mentioned it since are far enough north to be out of harms way but tomorrow will be a wicked day for severe weather.  Keep those people in your prayers.

Winter Storm Watch

...Winter Storm Watch in effect from Thursday evening through
Friday morning...

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued a Winter
Storm Watch...which is in effect from Thursday evening through
Friday morning.

* Main impact: roads may become impassable due to heavy snow and
drifts...blowing snow may reduce visibility...travel may become
very hazardous.

* Accumulations: snowfall amounts of up to 6 inches are
possible...especially across far northern portions of central
Indiana.

* Timing: rain will change over to all snow during the evening
hours tomorrow night...with this changeover progressing
southward with time.

* Other impacts: a very brief period of freezing rain or sleet may
accompany the changeover to snow. Snow and blowing snow may
linger into the morning rush hour on Friday.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant
snow...sleet...or ice accumulations that may impact travel.
Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.

Updated: 3-5" Snowfall & No School Friday...

Update: The 12z GFS and NAM models are in and look great for my 3-5" call.  The NAM was more bullish with upwards of 10-12" but I will keep my 3-5" call for now.

I am going to either be a hero or a zero with this one.  The swath of snow will be narrow.  The cold air needs to plunge in at the right moment to catch the end of the rain to make this happen.

GFS

NAM

More Snow & More Snow Days

I admit I caught spring fever last week like everyone else.  I even said I was done with snow and ready to move on.  However it appears winter isn't ready to go so we are going to get drug back into this wintry mess.

Monday was a bit messy.  We were in a precarious spot where we teetered between rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow.  The thought was we would be mainly rain and instead things turned the other way.  Conditions quickly deteriorated catching many off guard.

We are going to be riding that line again Thursday evening into Friday.  However this time we should do a quick change from rain on Thursday to snow Thursday evening.  All models are showing ample precipitation.  The change over should be quick without much transitional precipitation.

Now don't think this is some magical moment where the models all agree and all meteorologists are singing songs around a campfire.  There is still a substantial amount of disagreement.  So at this point one needs to select which solution looks best. 

The NAM and SREF both seem to produce a narrow but intense swath of snow across Howard County from Thursday evening to Friday morning.  Snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches looks possible during this short window.

The call is pretty bold at this point but I will say area schools will cancel on Friday making for a long weekend.  More updates as needed...

Overnight

Another wave will move through overnight.  Not much accumulation but slick roads will be a real possibility.  Could be two hour delays for schools in the morning.

Freezing Rain

It is really close.  It will sag over the area probably before 4 PM and make for a very slick evening.

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO

9 PM EST THIS EVENING.

THE NATL WEATHER SVC IN INPOLIS HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR FREEZING RAIN.WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 9 PM EST THIS EVENING.

* MAIN IMPACT:ROADS MAY BECOME SLIPPERY TO DUE TO FREEZING  RAIN.ESPECIALLY ON BRIDGES & OVERPASSES & ON SOME  SECONDARY ROADS. BECAUSE TEMPS WILL BE NEAR FREEZING SOME  ROAD SURFACES WILL FREEZE. HOWEVER MOTORISTS SHOULD BE ALERT TO  CHANGING DRIVING CONDITIONS.

* ACCUMULATIONS: ICE ACCUMULATIONS AROUND A TENTH OF AN INCH ARE  POSSIBLE ON TREES.POWER LINES.

* TIMING: THE WORST IMPACT WILL BE THIS AFTERNOON & VERY EARLY  TONIGHT. AFTERWARDS.PRECIPITATION WILL CHANGE TO SNOW BEFORE  DIMINISHING LATE TONIGHT.

* OTHER IMPACTS: PERSONS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR SLIPPERY SPOTS WHEN  WALKING ON SIDE WALKS & IN PARKING LOTS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW.SLEET.OR FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY ROADS & LIMITED VISIBILITIES.& USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

Wintry Mix

A wintry mix along for late afternoon through the overnight.  Mostly rain with some back end snow.  We will be right on the line and just a few miles will make a large difference.  For example 2.4" is forecast for Bunker Hill while just 0.6" is forecast for Kokomo.  No freezing rain here but 0.2" possible for Bunker Hill. 

Basically this is a nowcast type of situation for tonight so be prepared for changing conditions and possible school delays tomorrow. 

Active Weather Pattern...

The large scale pattern continues to be active.  Hopefully some of the activity will trickle down to some local activity.  Up first is the second wave of the current system hammering areas from the Dakotas to the East Coast.  Snow, sleet, & ice and a lot of it.  Temperatures will fall Monday producing a borderline opportunity for snow Monday evening.  Accumulations will likely be an inch or less.  However a minor adjustment could produce two to three inches.  Very, very slim chance but possible

Later this week is the next large system.  We are looking at Thursday evening into Friday morning.  The GFS and Euro agree on the large scale idea but differ on where the axis of snow will set up.  The GFS pictured below has the low pressure following a perfect path for our area to receive the best snows.  The Euro is a bit further north with the snow axis bringing 40-50 degree temps into Indiana. Could be nothing or could be 6-8 inches for us.  At least it is something to track.  :)

The warmer temps could translate to some potential for severe weather for us.  However either the GFS or the Euro looks to produce a significant severe weather outbreak for areas south.  It is defiantly worth keeping an eye on the situation.  

March 1 might come in like a lion is the advertised system materializes.  

Lots of moisture being advertised.  If it can move up into the cold sector, then BOOM goes the snow!

Additional activity on the long range.

Oh Well...

I think any real chance for accumulating snow is gone.  Look for some rain and a little but of frozen white stuff Monday evening but accumulations will be light. 

Quick Update

Interesting to see how low key some of tonight's forecasts were about the Monday evening/overnight snow.  Yes it is not a certainty but it seems like some snow is plausible.  One stations didn't even mention it and have temps in the 40's and 50's. 

The HPC gives us a 10% chance for 4" of snow.  I think a couple of inches will likely be our lot.  A better update tomorrow when hopefully we have some model consensus.

Models Are Clueless

All kinds of solutions and the same model will even throw out drastically different solutions from one run to the next.  Snow lovers experience a lot of emotions looking at models. 

Even with all of the craziness, a handful of things seem to be exposing themselves.

• There will be two storms back to back.
• There will be a lot of moisture with both systems.
• We will have rain for the first storm.

With that, I deliver the DGEX.

More tomorrow...

To Snow or Not To Snow...

That is the question...

A few times you have heard me mention the various numerical computer models which produce weather maps.  We have a huge battle ongoing right now with next weeks storm.  The GFS which is many times suspect is north, way north and produces warm and rain for Sunday into Tuesday.  It has plenty of moisture but isn't even close on producing snow.

On the other hand the ECMWF (Euro) which is typically the first to sniff out the correct storm track and has been many times crowned King has less moisture but is a solid snow event.  Other models show everything from compromise/blended solutions to even more whacky solutions.

The JMA does seem to be pretty close match to the Euro.

What concerns me a little bit is some sleet and ice as a threat. Not like recent problems Indy south experienced but enough that I am paying close attention to that aspect.

More info as it become clear.  Sooner or later one of the models will blink and we should have a better idea of a solution.

No specific amounts but nothing historic should it be snow.   Just a good old fashioned snow maker.

Heh...

That is about how excited I am about the weather right now.  Heh.  It will warm up and it will melt the dirty snow but it won't be sunny or enjoyable.  What snow the warm up misses will get taken down by some drizzle and rain showers.  The weekend will be colder but not enough for fresh snow so it really is a rather blah forecast.

Lots of action in the medium and long range but low confidence on any of it working out to anything that more blah.  La Niña has finally showed up and she doesn't look pretty.

Maybe something will peak my interest in a few days.  For now, heh.

The streak is broken...

We finally broke 40 degrees since January 1.  It has been a long time coming.  While I initially thought we might just get over the 40 degree mark, it looks like we should be well above it today. Here is the 11 AM reading for the state.

Today also marks the 24th day in a row with snow on the ground.  The NWS in Indianapolis has a little write up here.  We are in the top 10.  Looking at the list, there are some very memorable years in that list.

Also, on this day in 2007, the Valentines Day II snowstorm hit much of the US.  Kokomo received 21 inches over three days (2/13-2/15) with 16.4 inches falling on Valentines Day.  That was an amazing storm.

Look for a warm week to melt our snow pack but winter is going to return as early as next week.  Enjoy it while it lasts.

Warm but Cold?

It will be close to 40 or maybe even a touch above.  However the temperature a couple of thousand feet up will be low to middle 50's.  The deep snow pack will continue to temper surface temperatures but as the week goes on, the snow pack will melt and surface temperatures will warm nicely.  Don't get used to it, cold and snow will be making a return.

In The Deep Freeze

Thursday morning will be one of the coldest temperatures in years.  The good news is we will be leaving the basement and heading to warmer temperatures as early as the weekend.  I even have some hope that we will continue the climb into true spring like temperatures in 7 to 10 days.  Yeah, I'm talking - wait for it - 60's!  Just some long range temps and I would expect some snap back to winter before everything is done but a taste of spring would sure be nice after tomorrow morning.

Grading Winter

Since there is a bit of a break from following our next snow system, I thought what better time to do a mid winter grade. 

Winter locally has been rather busy.  Kokomo has seen 15 measurable snow events with 7 of those recording 2 inches or more.  Our current snow total is an even 30 inches.  It seems like we have done well but Indy is at 33.4 inches and Lafayette has been the areas sweet spot recording 44.9 inches.

To reach our 30 inch total, we have been seem mostly smaller events.  Only one topped 6 inches and two topped 4 inches. 

We have an amazing 10 inches of snow depth but that total is tempered by the sleet storm which could have us at 2 feet of snow depth.  That would have been historic.  (Kids would still be out of school!)  Illinois, Missouri, & Indiana are experiencing top 10 winter snow fall totals.  Some are at number one.  We are not there yet but might make it before winter ends.

(Unfortunately Kokomo (ICAO: KOKK) is not available with detailed climate information.  There is some data available but it is not 100% and would take weeks to make it usable.  Still someday I hope to tally the snowfall totals.)

This winter has also featured cold temperatures and there have even been some below zero readings.  (We will see a couple of more subzero temps this week.)  But there has not been any memorable cold. 

The sleet storm was memorable but it would have been much more memorable had it been snow.  So unlike last winter where I had a mid winter grade of F, this one has earned a much better mark.  I award it a solid A-.  Hopefully it can pull out an A+.  That will require a 10+ inch snowfall.  Maybe there is one of those still waiting in the wings.

I will fess up and say I am really done with the nuisance snows.  If we cannot get 6+ inches, then let's just skip it.  Also, just 22 days until meteorological spring and the start of severe weather season.  Woo Hoo!

Enjoy Today

You should enjoy the just above freezing temperatures today.  Things will dramatically change as early as 36 Tuesday morning when we reach single digit lows.  The rest of the week will features below zero lows each morning and highs around 10 degrees until Friday when we see highs in the middle to upper teens.  Come next weekend, we begin to warm up with highs near or above freezing.

Next week will be warm with highs in the 40's.  Depending on the snow pack, we might break into the 50's in the latter part of the week.

As for snow, looks like we will have a reprieve for a couple of weeks.  The snow for today and tomorrow looks unimpressive for our area.  I am not even sure an inch is doable.  Probably best as most people need a break.

The end if the week storm just isn't headed our way.  I cannot even find some false hope with the less reliable models.  I won't say there is zero chance since the storm which dumped on the east coast was not modeled until 48 hours beforehand, I so think chances are quite unfavorable.

The JMA likes the southern solution for the week end...

 

Game Over!

Numerical Forecast Models Fail (Again)

Today was a nice 6" surprise (for snow lovers).  But for forecasters, professionals and amateurs alike, it is part of an ongoing problem.  Take a look at Accuweather's forecast for today's snow maker.

It doesn't match up with the track or intensity.  The National Weather Service was very similar in with their forecast.  Yesterday afternoon were some warning signs the forecast might be in trouble.  The intensity was stronger than forecast.  Last minute model changes along with upstream observations sent everyone scrambling.

A Winter Weather Advisory was issued for central Indiana at 2 AM.  Very last minute.  People were pretty much unprepared for the snow.  Many were still digging (or chiseling) their way out from the last one.  The NAM yesterday did a huge shift northwest with the 18z run.  I didn't buy it.

I even made a post about it saying I didn't think the NAM would go negative at 500mb as modeled.  No way it would pull the storm northwest and no way it dumps 6 inches of snow here.  I blew it big time too.

Not to dwell on the last storm too much but the models also had some failure including missing the final track until the very last minute with a northwest shift.  

So given the poor performance of the models, how can anyone trust them?

Looking at tomorrow and Monday, I will make a best guess but will be watching the model trends and the actual performance upstream.  Still though, I am not thinking there will a lot of accumulations with this snow. It will also be much more strung out with some light winds.

Plan for 2-3 inches, mainly Sunday overnight into Monday morning.  Some blowing and drifting as today's snow will blow around nicely.

The bigger question is the middle to end of the week storm system.  Not favorable for us according to the models right now but given the recent history, Anything could happen.  No matter what happens, the week looks to be rather cold.

The Sky is Pouring Snow

No sleet this time!  This should be a nice snow and quite beautiful.  My call yesterday of 1-2 inches will be a little light.  This storm has been over performing a lot and is also tracking northwest so expect more.  That is why the last minute forecast changes and why the winter weather advisory from the NWS was only issued at 2 AM.

Still though the system should be through the area by dinner.  More snow tomorrow and and next week.  More on that forecast later.

Saturday Snow

Lots of talk about the snow moving in on Saturday.  Some think the amounts will be higher but I am not buying the higher moisture amounts of the NAM or the fact that it want to go negative as it passes over the Ohio Valley.  The ECMWF is positive as it passes over the Ohio Valley.

Either way look for 1 to 2 inches tomorrow around Kokomo and Howard County.Mostly falling during the daytime hours ending by supper.

Jumping back to the last system, you can easily see where warm air aloft along with a dry slot killed snow totals.

Good News All Around

The goods is my wife is as well as can be expected after her fall and broken Humerus.  The ball at the top which goes on the shoulder socket broke but didn't shift.  No surgery needed for now but lots of uncomfortable times ahead.  No good position to sleep/sit/stand.

More good news for snow lovers.  We should see some freshening of the sleet pack on Saturday.  It will be in the one inch range and since we are on the north side of the precipitation, a small jog south would give us a miss.  Really that would also be good news.  People need to be out a but before more snowy times ahead next week.

I will do a later update for the Monday system and then what is happening late week.  Might be more snow days in the making.

Missed Tonight's Forecast

I was just getting ready to start writing the forecast when my lovely wife took a tumble on the ice while walking the dog.  Ended up in the ER at St Joe were we found out she fractured her Humerus.  Many pieces.  She needs your thoughts and prayers for a long recovery and hopefully no surgery.

Snow wise, next week looks good.  The weekend will not be much tho.

Sleet Storm Postmortem

Who would have imagined who this massive winter storm would have turned out the way it did for Kokomo? 

It was a sleet storm of epic proportions.  I am recording 1 inch of snow and 3 inches of sleet.  That is a composite measurement from the various measurements taken by volunteer and official NWS observers. Honestly, I have no idea how they arrived at those measurements between the wind blowing it everywhere and compaction of sleet.  It was also a huge problem for anyone trying to remove the cement sleet.  Also driving on it was like driving on the beach.  It was not easy.

Some melt their precipitation to determine the water content.  About an inch and a quarter of water content was in that mess.  Using the 1:10 ratio, this would have translated into 12 inches of snow, probably more with higher ratios.  Those models I posted earlier in the week showing 20 inches would have came close to verifying is we remained all snow.

It was amazing to watch the models the week before.  All seemed pretty amazing with their predictions.  In the end, most did really well with a couple of exceptions.  There was a large dry slot which affected many.  That was not shown well.  They also did over do the amount of moisture and how much snow would be produced.

My amateurish guess would be the models saw the huge snow growth zone in the atmosphere and overdid the ratios.  It was still pretty impressive.  Too bad we didn't cash in.

The first wave was a bit weaker than expected too.  

There have been some amazing stories of those who got heavy snow.  Also those who got ice south of us didn't fare to badly all things considered.  It could have been much worse.

Looking ahead, we have some really cold days to finish the week.  An arctic high will clear out the storm remnants allowing radiational cooling.  Some weekend snow is possible but amounts look to be small and just enough to freshen things up.  Of course it will make for slippery roads and walkways.  Take your time.

Another possible storm for next week but I'll give it another day or two before I get on board.

Quick thanks to the Kokomo Perspective which had me participate in their live blog of Snopocalyspe and LookOutKokomo asking me to be a guest writer about the storm.  I enjoyed both.

Welcome!

I want to welcome my many new readers.  Thank you for finding your way here.  I hope you will come back often.  This blog is devoted to writing about the weather for Kokomo and Howard County.  While there are not entries everyday, we never miss writing about important weather including winter and severe weather.

Snow is a passion here so I ride the highs and lows of the snow forecasts.

I also take severe weather seriously and always am on the lookout for weather that can produce thunderstorms and tornadoes.  All of the possibilities are mentioned.

Discussions are always understandable and never too technical.. Usually a bit more than the TV forecast and always focused locally. I also do snow day predictions for are the county schools.  (I didn't this week since it was rather obvious and too easy.)  

There are also other parts of the Kokomo-Weather websites.

You can always find current weather conditions for Kokomo here - http://www.kokomo-weather.com   There also is a mobile version for those with mobile phones and Internet access here - http://www.kokomo-weather.com/wx.htm

There is a Kokomo-Weather Facebook Group where I post thoughts which might not be worthy of a full blog discussion.  Also quicker many times and especially useful in severe weather season or during model runs right before an approaching winter storm.

Last is the Kokomo-Weather twitter account where I post quickie ideas.  It is the way I can communicate easily when I am out and about storm spotting.  I also share conversation with followers and other weather enthusiasts and meteorologists. 

Finally, while not directly related to Kokomo-Weather, there is ScanKokomo where you can listen to a live stream of public safety (Police/Fire/EMA) in Kokomo and Howard County.

I look forward to sharing my weather passion with you.

End of Day Two

Kokomo is now the official capital of sleet.  I am not sure how one gets an accurate measurement of sleet since it compacts so nicely.  I would guess 4 to 6 inches has fallen between yesterday and today.  Some snow has also mixed in mostly at the start of the first wave on Monday. 

The dry slot will cut down on our precipitation totals overnight.  The NWS believes that wrap around moisture will produce several inches of snow near morning.  I am skeptical since wrap around snow never seems to materialize. 

Be cautious if you think you must venture out.  The sleet is like sand and impossible to drive through.  The winds are also gusty blowing the sleet around.  I think the sleet should be mostly done by midnight. 

Don't forget you can listen to Kokomo and Howard County Police and Fire online at Scan Kokomo. 

ICE STORM WARNING

...Ice Storm Warning remains in effect until 7 am EST Wednesday...

...Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 7 am to 7 PM EST

Wednesday...

An Ice Storm Warning remains in effect until 7 am EST Wednesday.

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect from 7 am to 7 PM EST

Wednesday.

* Main impact: roads will likely become impassable due to
significant icing...travel will become very hazardous or
potentially impossible tonight and Wednesday. Ice accumulations
may result in widespread...long duration power outages.

* Accumulations: ice accumulations of a half inch to one inch are
expected...with locally higher amounts possible along and near
the Interstate 70 corridor.

* Timing: precipitation will begin again between 2 and 4 PM this
afternoon and increase in intensity this evening.

* Other impacts: wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph later this afternoon
and tonight into Wednesday in combination with heavy ice
accumulations will likely result in downed trees and power
lines.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow...
sleet...and ice are expected or occurring. Strong winds are also
possible. This will make travel very hazardous or impossible.

An Ice Storm Warning means severe winter weather conditions are
expected or occurring. Significant amounts of ice accumulations
will make travel dangerous or impossible. Travel is strongly
discouraged. Commerce will likely be severely impacted. If you
must travel...keep an extra flashlight...food...and water in your
vehicle in case of an emergency. Ice accumulations and winds will
likely lead to snapped power lines and falling tree branches that
add to the danger.

133 PM EST Tue Feb 1 2011

...Ice Storm Warning in effect until 7 am EST Wednesday...
...Winter Storm Warning in effect from 7 am to 7 PM EST
Wednesday...

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis has issued an Ice Storm
Warning...which is in effect until 7 am EST Wednesday. A Winter
Storm Warning remains in effect from 7 am EST Wednesday to 7 PM
EST Wednesday.

* Main impact: roads will likely become impassable due to
significant icing...travel will become very hazardous or
potentially impossible tonight and Wednesday. Ice accumulations
may result in widespread...long duration power outages.

* Accumulations: ice accumulations of a half inch to one inch are
expected...with locally higher amounts possible along and near
the Interstate 70 corridor.

* Timing: precipitation will begin again between 2 and 4 PM this
afternoon and increase in intensity this evening.

* Other impacts: wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph later this afternoon
and tonight into Wednesday in combination with heavy ice
accumulations will likely result in downed trees and power
lines.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Winter Storm Warning means significant amounts of snow...
sleet...and ice are expected or occurring. Strong winds are also
possible. This will make travel very hazardous or impossible.

An Ice Storm Warning means severe winter weather conditions are
expected or occurring. Significant amounts of ice accumulations
will make travel dangerous or impossible. Travel is strongly
discouraged. Commerce will likely be severely impacted. If you
must travel...keep an extra flashlight...food...and water in your
vehicle in case of an emergency. Ice accumulations and winds will
likely lead to snapped power lines and falling tree branches that
add to the danger.

The Beast is Coming

The beast is coming and nobody is going to stop it.  I just hope she is white and powdery and not something else.  The bad news is someone very close to our south will be getting something else.  :(

It is amazing how much of the country is preparing for the worst today into tomorrow.

This storm is getting amped up this morning.  The low will intensify rapidly and continue deepening into the night.

And here is something one doesn't see everyday.  The Storm Prediction Center has all of the area under a general risk for intense thunder snow.

Back around midday with an update.  Stay safe!

Good Morning

Starting off what will be a busy 24 to 36 hours. 

The high resolution map from yesterday looks remarkably similar to the one today.  The runs are 24 hours apart and are for this storm. 

A break in the action...

We had some serious snow happening early before the sleet started falling.  Look for it to end soon with morning totals near an inch.  Part two is getting wound up tight and should be bearing down on us tomorrow.  Please don't take the break in action tomorrow morning to get out and get yourself stranded (or worse).  I encourage you to stay put and enjoy some time with family or friends.

All county schools have closed for Tuesday and I cannot see how Kokomo-Center doesn't cancel too.

I also want to encourage you to thanks an public safety officials who are out in this storm.  They do not have it easy out there.

I will be offline until morning. Everything looks like a go for a historic storm for Tuesday and Wednesday.