Weekly Highlights January 5th to 11th

This week a major snowstorm is well under way. From KC to DC and in between, should see significant amounts of snow and blizzard like conditions. The snowstorm will make its way through the area on Sunday and Monday. Snow accumulations range from a dusting to 16’’ + from areas in Nebraska through the Ohio/Tennessee Valley and into the Nations Capital. The DC area could see over a foot of snow by the time this storm rolls on through. Also, on Sunday thunderstorms will pass through the Southeast with the chance of being severe. With the severe weather don’t be surprised if you hear some claps of thunder with the snow, since the rain is feeding into the snowstorm from the South. Along with the severe weather don’t count out some localized flooding from all the rain over the next 24-36 hours in the area. 

On Monday into Tuesday the Midwest will see snow from the back end of the snowstorm. Accumulations don’t look to be much with 1-3’’. The Great Lakes and parts of the Northeast will have to deal with some lake effect snow throughout the week that could boost snow totals for the areas, especially after the storm gets out of the area. Throughout the week The Rockies will see some snow. On Monday into Tuesday, the Denver metro area will see some snow. Accumulations look to be around 1-4’’.

Thursday into Friday should create for an interesting forecast for Central Texas/Houston area and into the Mississippi Valley. While a few days out the conditions will have to be perfect for Texas to see some ice, and possibly snow. Right now, the atmosphere isn’t cold enough at the surface to produce ice, and may end up being just rain or a mixed precip. We will have to see if the atmosphere gets cold enough in Texas to see any ice at the surface. 

Thursday into Friday a small clipper will come through Northern Minnesota/Wisconsin and the UP of Michigan. Parts of the Chicagoland area also look to be affected by that clipper, as well as some lake effect snow. Accumulations look to a dusting to 3’’. On Saturday into next weekend another snowstorm looks to impact the Northeast. Still a little early to see if the models stay the course of a major snowstorm, the Northeast could see some big snow totals if true. Accumulations look to be over 8’’ in areas in southern NY into the Boston area.

By Matt K.

Meteorologist In-Training