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Title: Potentially historic winter storm poised to impact 100 million Americans
Source:
wunderground
URL Source: http://www.wunderground.com/blog/Je ... ers/comment.html?entrynum=1737
Published: Jan 31, 2011
Author: Dr. Jeff Masters
Post Date: 2011-01-31 18:05:19 by go65
Keywords: None
Views: 2542
Comments: 7
A huge and potentially historic winter storm is taking shape over the Southern Plains today. By the time the storm exits New England on Wednesday night, as many as 50 million Americans may see heavy snows of at least 6 inches or dangerous ice accumulations of 1/4" or more from the massive storm, and 100 million will be affected by the storm. A potent jet stream with strong winds will dive southwards over the central U.S. today, allowing a cold Arctic airmass to spill southwards out of Canada. In front of this cold air, a flow of very warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico will surge northwards, providing copious moisture to fuel snowfall amounts that will likely approach two feet across portions of Iowa and Illinois on Tuesday. The storm could be Chicago's biggest blizzard since January 1999, when a storm dumped 21.6" of snow. Accompanying the heavy snow on Tuesday will be strong winds gusting to 40 mph in Northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana, and a blizzard watch is posted for Chicago. Strong winds in Chicago are expected to generate 14 - 18 feet waves on Lake Michigan, with occasional waves up to 25 feet. A significant coastal flooding event is possible for Chicago, with beach erosion and flooding along Lake Shore Drive. Many major cities will likely receive over 8 inches of snow from the storm, including Kansas City, St. Louis, and Detroit. Perhaps of greater concern is the potential for a major ice storm along a swath from Northwest Oklahoma to Massachusetts. Widespread freezing rain is expected to bring over 1/4" of ice to many major cities, including St. Louis, Indianapolis, Columbus, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh. Some regions could see up to an inch of ice, and widespread power outages due to toppled power lines are likely for millions of people. Damages exceeding $1 billions are possible from this ice storm. In addition, the storm's powerful cold front will bring the potential for severe thunderstorms to the deep South. The NOAA Storm Prediction Center is giving Louisiana and surrounding states a "slight risk" of severe weather on Tuesday, and severe thunderstorms with damaging winds are likely Tuesday afternoon in this region. 
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#1. To: go65 (#0)
It's perfectly normal here in Seattle. It was 51 degrees and rainy today, which is about what it should be. didn't you guys have the floods earlier this year? I've been lucky, every time I've been to Seattle in the last few years it has been nice, I just need to keep picking one of the 15-20 nice days a year. :-)
Since January 3, 2011, Republicans have controlled the power of the purse.
Something floods here every year because it rains all of the time. The only thing odd this year is that we got snow Thanksgiving week. During the occasional years that it does snow, it usually comes late December or early January. Otherwise it's been a typical winter mid-40s to 50s with rain.
For the first time in decades we are under a "Blizzard Warning". Looking at up to 20" of snow with 30-50mph winds. Generator is prepped, extra wood laid in and liquor cabinet well stocked. Only thing left is deciding on what to 'slow cook' tomorrow. Sort of leaning towards gumbo. Let it snow!!!
Never swear "allegiance" to anything other than the 'right to change your mind'!
Oh the weather outside is frightful.... Do your worst Jack Frost!
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
Why would a gloBULL warming event cause you to run low on Ripple?
Do you have a gumbo recipe you would care to share?
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. -- Winston Churchill
#2. To: jwpegler (#1)
It's perfectly normal here in Seattle. It was 51 degrees and rainy today, which is about what it should be.
#3. To: go65 (#2)
didn't you guys have the floods earlier this year?
Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. -- Winston Churchill
#4. To: go65 (#0)
#5. To: Brian S (#4)
#6. To: BS (#4)
liquor cabinet well stocked.
#7. To: Brian S (#4)
Sort of leaning towards gumbo.
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