2012-2013 Winter Weather thread

[Patrick425]

No, don't worry, no winter storms on the way yet (not that I know of anyways). I just saw this story about the Weather Channel starting a new policy of naming Winter storms and I thought it be a good starting point for this year's Winter weather thread:

 

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/weather-channel-call-name-winter-storms-gets-mixed-165938080.html

 

Obviously a marketing ploy by the WC...but I think it will be an effective one. I believe the WC and NBC are affiliated somehow, so I can see NBC also using the Weather Channel storm names in it's coverage of Winter storms.

[trwi7]

I suggest the Weather Channel name their first winter storm "I don't know why we're called the Weather Channel since we pretty much never talk about the weather except when it's the 8's of every hour we spend more time on reality shows that we think have something to do with the weather but really don't."

 

Then I suggest they name the next storm "run-on sentence."

[AZBrewCrew]

This. I quit watching the weather channel a while back when it turned into the weather version of MTV. Call me a weather geek but my favorite weather channel is the MSP airport weather channel offered by MN Public Television. 24 hours of weather maps and radar. No TV hosts,no commercials. All weather.

 

[owbc]

Yep I was a huge fan of the Weather Channel until NBC/Universal ruined them. Even worse, they have been slowly buying up all the private weather companies, they recently acquired my former employer, Weather Central, in Madison. They also acquired Weather Underground recently. I will say that they do still provide excellent coverage when there is a severe weather event. Their severe weather and hurricane specialists are top notch.

 

And as for winter weather, the forecast is showing snow across much of Minnesota on Thursday night - Friday. Still 85 and humid in Miami :-)

[bacon06]

WLUK Fox 11 in Green Bay has been naming snow storms for years. However, I have to give the edge to the Weather Channel if they are going to go with Roman/Greek themed names over the everyday names WLUK uses.

[jerichoholicninja]

It snowed in Green Lake last week.

[hawing]

There is going to be a winter storm named Q? I don't know whether to be fascinated or appalled.

 

I remembered that one of the Green Bay stations named its winter storms but had forgotten it was 'LUK. Thanks for the reminder.

[Patrick425]

The Weather Channel acquired Weatherunderground? Wow, I didn't know that. I hope they don't change anything. I really like Weatherunderground.

 

I think a large part of the Weather Channel not really reporting the weather anymore is based on 2 things:

 

A) Many people get their weather from the internet now.

B) Most cities have a local network affiliate that also has a channel that is just dedicated to reporting the weather (az AZBrewCrew mentioned).

 

Also, over the last 10 to 15 years most local newscasts (at least in northern states) have put a greater emphasis on reporting the weather. Many boast about how they give a forecast within the first 5 to 10 minutes of the broadcast.

[adamb100]

Just thought I'd announce that Milwaukee has a set a record for most consecutive days without snow - 280 as of today.

[Funketown]

It's been 70+ degrees here for the past four or five days.

 

We're driving to Madison for winter break and spending three weeks up north. I'm scared that I've already become a wuss.

[Patrick425]

Just thought I'd announce that Milwaukee has a set a record for most consecutive days without snow - 280 as of today.

 

Just to be clarify, it's 280 days without "measurable" snow, which I believe is defined as 0.10 inches or more of snow.

[owbc]

The weather service has high confidence that much of southern and central Wisconsin will see a significant snowstorm Wednesday night into Thursday. The storm will be strong but quick moving, so it seems like the highest accumulations will be in the 8-12" range and right now the target area is somewhere from southwest through central WI, including the Madison and Appleton areas. Unless there is a significant southward shift in the track, the Milwaukee area should see mostly rain with maybe a quick couple inches of snow at the end.

[fondybrewfan]

Sweet I love me a snow storm. Being in FDL I am probably right in the cross hairs right now.

 

Still don't own a snowblower though.

[Patrick425]

Beware of Draco!

[jjkoestler]

Is there THUNDER SNOW in the forecast?

[owbc]

Directly from the NWS: "The potential for thundersnow is looking very good."

 

There is still debate about exactly where the heaviest snow (including thundersnow) will be, but the general area is still the same as I said yesterday. I still expect mostly rain in Milwaukee, with a quick 2-4" on Thursday morning. The 10"+ totals usually occur in a 40-50 mile swath that is difficult to pinpoint more than a day in advance. The European model (which is usually the most reliable) has the heaviest snow mostly around Madison and Fond du Lac and to the southeast (except along the lake). The American models have the heaviest snow to the northwest of Madison and Fond du Lac, with the bullseye around Green Lake.

[princeginterhallhelms04]

Live in Kenosha really really hoping that the EURO model pans out or moves a bit south so we see more snow then rain. But warm lake is going to work aganst us. What do you think for us OWBC?

[owbc]

Live in Kenosha really really hoping that the EURO model pans out or moves a bit south so we see more snow then rain. But warm lake is going to work aganst us. What do you think for us OWBC?

 

Well I just edited my post above to say more about the models. I tend to prefer the Euro solution, but the Lake Michigan temperatures are still in the 40s thanks to the record warmth this year. So even with the track farther south, I can't see how anywhere within about 5-7 miles of the lake will get any accumulating snow until the low is already past and the winds swing around to the northwest. The deformation band (to the NW of the low) is forecast to be impressive, so when it does change over to snow it will be very intense and could add up quickly. But it would only last for a couple hours at most.

[princeginterhallhelms04]

yeah was telling friends that we might be rain initially but if we switch over it's going to snow fast and hard! Love the EURO TOO!

[NeedMoreFans]

OWBC, out of curiosity, how well do local TV stations do compared to the NWS? I ask because the NWS has the track of the storm much more south, at this point anyways, whereas one Madison station has Madison only getting 6", and the other has us getting around 8" and the heavier stuff north and west. With three different forecasts, I'm not sure which ones to believe.

[JackNicholson1974]

Very important question for OWBC or any other weather fan.

nd

This is my second year of building a backyard ice rink. Due to the mild winter so far, I have not been able to lay down my liner and fill my 25x50 rink yet. Finally the temps will be right for making ice beginning Thursday night, through Sunday. Herr is my dilemma/plan.

 

I wish to avoid having 6-12 inches of snow in my rink BEFORE I fill it/lay down my liner. It would make for a lot of shoveling and snowblowing. What I would like to do is lay the liner tomorrow (tuesday) and begin the 12 hour fill Wednesday morning. My goal would be that the water would not have time to freeze as the temps should remain near freezing Wednesday night and all of the snow that comes down will hit the water and not accumulate as snow. Then, the storm moves out and the cold weather moves in and my rink is ready to freeze.

 

Will this or should this work?

[owbc]

OWBC, out of curiosity, how well do local TV stations do compared to the NWS? I ask because the NWS has the track of the storm much more south, at this point anyways, whereas one Madison station has Madison only getting 6", and the other has us getting around 8" and the heavier stuff north and west. With three different forecasts, I'm not sure which ones to believe.

 

According to the friends I know who are TV meteorologists or have worked with them, the TV forecasts are the opinion of the meteorologist on duty at the time so it can widely vary depending on the individual. The best TV mets are just as good as the NWS, but sometimes the actual forecast gets buried by the hype.

 

Madison is in a tricky position, I don't think anyone knows what Madison will get right now. There's high bust potential on those 8-10" forecasts which probably why some are being safe and saying 6". Honestly, you guys are used to the snow up there, it will be a fun little storm even if the snow amounts are low...stay home on Thursday morning, drive slow, and life will be back to normal on Friday.

 

Interestingly, guidance is showing another major storm for the Midwest sometime around December 27th. So it is worth keeping an eye on that time period also.

[hawing]

...it will be a fun little storm even if the snow amounts are low...stay home on Thursday morning, drive slow, and life will be back to normal on Friday.

I wish it were that simple. Students who live within walking distance of campus will expect the libraries to be ready for their studying needs. But ehh, I can walk in if need be.

 

In case the weather gods read Brewerfan, I'd really appreciate being able to make my Wednesday evening haircut appointment. Thanks!

[NeedMoreFans]

Yeah , I agree with Hawing...it's not as simple as staying home a bit longer. 6" means getting to drive to school in a snowstorm, 12" means snow day. I can't think of a time where school was canceled for 6" of snow.

[owbc]

It doesn't look like the snow will start in Madison until around or after midnight on Wednesday.

 

Based on the timing of the heaviest snow, there is a good probability of a large number of closings, even if the totals in Madison are only in the 8" range (although with the new model tracks this morning, the probability of the 10" totals being around Madison has increased).

 

That being said, I distinctly remember walking to class on a day we received 12-14" of snow in 2008. They didn't close the university until the afternoon. It's dangerous to have everyone out and about in snowstorms, I wish the culture up there would take it more seriously, especially so it is easier for people with essential duties to get around.