[Updated] Snowstorm Alert!

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THUR TO 1 PM EST FRIDAY.

THE NATL WEATHER SVC IN INPOLIS HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW.WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THURSDAY TO 1 PM EST FRIDAY.

* TIMING.THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH EARLY FRI MORNING.

* MAIN IMPACT.SLIPPERY ROADS DURING THUR EVENING & FRIDAY  MORNING RUSH HRS.

* OTHER IMPACTS.BLOWING SNOW WILL RESULT IN DRIFTING & REDUCED VISIBILITIES.

* ACCUMULATIONS.3 TO 5 INCHES ACROSS THE N. COUNTIES/2 TO

 4 INCHES ACROSS THE CNTL PORTIONS OF CNTL IN/1 TO 3  INCHES ACROSS THE S. COUNTIES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW COVERED ROADS & LIMITED VISIBILITIES.& USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR BLOWING SNOW MEANS THAT VISIBILITIES WILL BE LIMITED DUE TO STRONG WINDS BLOWING SNOW AROUND. USE CAUTION WHEN TRAVELING.ESPECIALLY IN OPEN AREAS.

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I must admit, the system up until yesterday seem rather anemic for moisture.  The surface low looked to move a bit faster to the east and the cold was a slower to arrive.  I didn't pay much attention to the system still thinking an inch or two drawn out over a 24 to 36 hour period would really be nothing more than a tease and nuisance.

However the models now seem to agree with a slow moving system with the cold catching up and a deepening sub 990 low pressure.  All of that combined will produce a pretty good snow maker for a large area of the Great Lakes & Ohio Valley.

That said, we still are on the southern edge and are dependent on the slow movement and wrap around moisture enhanced by Lake Michigan.  There is a lot which would go wrong.

Focusing on the positives, the modest amount of snow will be wind blown for a solid 24 to 30 hours.  This snow will be a high ratio snow so limited moisture 12:1 to 17:1 can still produce a fair amount of accumulations.  We won't have to deal with the heavy wet snow knowing down trees and power lines which is good news.

Yesterday, I made the off hand comment on the Facebook page that I didn't expect to see any cancellations or even delays.  That thinking has also changed.

So lets break it down...

At 7 AM on Thursday, we have a lull in precipitation and the rain/snow line is just moving into western Indiana.

By1 PM in the afternoon, snow is cranking as are the winds.  Over the next 6 hours, expect a couple of inches to fall and winds to become sustained near 20 MPH with gusts near 30 MPH.  I think any evening activities will be cancelled. 

Thursday evening has the rain/snow line through Ohio.  The slow moving low pressure continues to deepen as the wind driven snow makes conditions difficult.  We are also heading for real temperatures in the teen and wind chills below zero.  The 50's from recent will be just a memory.

The bulk of the snow will be over by mid morning on Friday.  The winds will remain strong with gust to near 30 MPH through the afternoon before easing up a bit.  Snow accumulations will be on the order of 4 to 6 inches with drifting.  I just don't see area schools being in session on Friday.

Some flurries could continue through the weekend and no rise above freezing until Monday.

For me, I'm preparing for a 4 day/3 might camping trip in Hoosier National Forest this weekend.  (The wife thinks I am nuts and she will be home nice and warm with the two dogs.)  I say bring it on!  :)

There could be more snow as early as Tuesday of next week too.