Is Winter Almost Over?

Rest of the Week

We will have bitter cold through mid-week with moderating temperatures by the weekend. Some models are saying that we could pouch 40 on Saturday with maybe some rain and snow mix. The GFS model (American) says we could get a decent snow event this weekend from late Friday to Sunday Morning. The European model is going toward a warmer soul ton with much less accumulation. Finally the Canadian model is in line with the American model and tries to bring another 3-6" snow event in here. I will be gone over the weekend up in Michigan so we will probably get hit my a major snowstorm, since that always happens when I'm not here! :) 

Next Week

All the models are now in agreement for next week and have been fairly consistent for multiple runs. Every one of them is developing a monster snowstorm and moving it up the Appalachian Mountains. For those who live in Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan this is the number one storm track for heavy snows. The one thing the models are differing on is the intensity of the storm, this leads to some fairly significant snowfall changes. 

Models Forecast Snow Totals

European is stronger and slightly further south=== Southern Michigan and Northern Ohio get 3-6", Central Ohio gets 6-12" and Southern Ohio and Kentucky get 12"+. 

GFS is a flatter solution and results in lighter snow amounts=== Southern Michigan and Northern Ohio get 3-5", Central Ohio gets 5-10" and Southern Ohio and Kentucky get 4-6". 

Canadian is the strongest model of them all=== Southern Michigan and Northern Ohio get 8-15", Central Ohio gets 8-12", Southern Ohio gets 1-4" and Kentucky gets less than an inch. 

As you can see there are some slight variations except in Central Ohio, here a significant snow event appears likely. This is still more than a week away and can/will change as we get closer, However, the treat of high impact event appears likely and could impact schools and travel plans. 

February/Rest of Winter

I continue to hear complaints about how long and unrelenting this wirer has been and many people are asking when it is going to end. Well, February does not look like an end to winter, with the potential for heavy snows and continued cold across the entire Midwest and shifting back into the Plains States. 

Just remember, this winter is rare and very impressive. This is one of the winters you can be proud to have survived and you call tell your kids and grand kids about it. Enjoy it while it lasts and make the best of what we have, after all it is still JANUARY. 

I do in fact see an end in sight. March is showing early indications of being above normal temperature wise. This will likely lead to a quick flip from winter to spring and could make for an interesting severe weather season. 

As always stay safe in this cold, and I will continue to monitor this weekend and next weeks snowstorms!