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Snow record! The statewide average snowfall for February was 22.5 inches

News, Weather

March 1st, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — Mother Nature set a new record for Iowa in February. State Climatologist Justin Glisan says “The preliminary numbers have us at 22.5 inches of snow averaging across the State, which would break the record set in 1962. Glisan says having nearly two feet of snow fall in Iowa in February is NOT normal. “In a given February, we typically get 6.8 inches over the 30-year average, so yes, that’s a lot more snow than what we tend to get.” The accumulation of snow during this winter SEASON is setting records, too. Glisan says that’s remarkable because December temperatures were five degrees ABOVE average and the majority of precipitation that fell before the turn of the year was rain. “It wasn’t until we got into January and, especially February, when we started getting record snowfall,” Glisan says.

A “snow pack” was established early in the season with the blizzard after Thanksgiving in southern Iowa, according to Glisan. His data shows from southwest Iowa up through northeast Iowa there’s been between 30 and 40 inches of snow so far this winter. Glisan says “And in [the] very central portion of the border between Minnesota and Iowa, 50 to 60 inches , so some pretty big accumulation.” As for what’s causing this snow cycle, Glisan points to what he calls the “arctic intrusion” in late January. That’s when temperatures dipped to the negative 30 and negative 40 range.

“We’ve been stuck after that in a very active Polar Jet pattern, where we have, every four or five days, systems moving through the State, dumping anywhere from three-to six-inches at a given time, and that pattern has just stuck on into the State for the last month,” according to Glisan. There’s a chance of light snow this weekend, but Glisan says the weather should be “relatively calm” across the state. A batch of arctic air will cause temperatures to dip at the beginning of next week, but Glisan predicts a “gradual warm-up” after that.

Feb. 2019 Weather Stats for Atlantic.

Weather

March 1st, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The month of February in Atlantic was colder and wetter than average. The High for the month was 27.1 degrees, which was 8.3 degree below normal. The average Low was 3.6 degrees, or 11.6 degrees below the norm. Snowfall for the month amounted to 30.3 inches at the KJAN studios, with melted precipitation coming in at 1.71 inches, or three-quarters of an inch above average.

The warmest day was on Feb. 3rd, at 53-degrees. The coldest days with temps of -12, happened on Feb. 18th & 19th. Looking ahead to the month of March, the High in Atlantic is typically 48.3 degrees, and the average Low is 26.2. Precipitation for the month normally amounts to 2.38 inches.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the area – Friday, March 1st, 2019

Weather

March 1st, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Today: Mostly cloudy w/scattered flurries. High 27. SE @ 10.

Tonight: Partly cloudy-to-cloudy. Low 10. N @ 10.

Tomorrow: Mo. cldy w/light snow or flurries during the afternoon. High 18. N @ 10-20.

Tom. Night: Cloudy w/a 30% chance of snow. Low 2.

Sunday: Cloudy to P/Cldy w/any snow ending (Less the 1” total). High 8.

Monday: P/Cldy. High 12.

Yesterday’s High in Atlantic was 26. Our Low was 3. Last year on this date our High was 48 and the Low was 20. The record High in Atlantic on this date was 77 in 1992. The Record Low was -32 in 1962.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the area: 2/28/2019

Weather

February 28th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Today: Mostly cloudy w/a few flurries. High 20. S @ 10-15.

Tonight: Partly cloudy-to-cloudy. Low 8. Winds light & variable.

Tomorrow: Mo. cldy w/light snow or flurries. High 28. SE @ 10.

Saturday: Mo. cldy w/light snow/flurries. High 16.

Sunday: Mo. cldy w/light snow in the morning. High 8.

Yesterday’s High in Atlantic was 20. Our Low was 2. Last year on this date our High was 46 and the Low was 27. The record High in Atlantic on this date was 71 in 1972. The Record Low was -23 in 1962.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the area, Wed., 2/27/2019

Weather

February 27th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Today: Mostly cloudy w/flurries this morning; Partly cloudy this afternoon. High 16. NW @ 15-25.

Tonight: P/Cldy. Low -2. Winds light & variable.

Tomorrow: Mo. Cldy w/flurries. High 22.

Friday: Mo. Cldy w/light snow during the afternoon. High 26.

Saturday: Mo. Cldy, windy & cold. High 14.

Yesterday’s High in Atlantic was 21. Our Low was 4. Last year on this date our High was 62 and the Low was 33. The record High in Atlantic on this date was 71 in 2016. The Record Low was -16 in 1960.

Skyscan Forecast for Atlantic & the area, Tue., 2/26/2019

Weather

February 26th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Today: Partly cloudy to cloudy w/occasional, scattered flurries. High 18. NE @ 10-15.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy w/flurries. Low 10. E @ 5-10.

Tomorrow: P/Cldy to Cldy. High 18. N @ 10-20.

Thursday: Mo. Cldy w/flurries. High 22.

Friday: Mo. Cldy w/light snow during the afternoon. High 26.

Yesterday’s High in Atlantic was 15. Our Low was -9. Last year on this date our High was 53 and the Low was 28. The record High in Atlantic on this date was 72 in 1896. The Record Low was -28 in 1963.

Wind chills Sunday morning (3/3) will be dangerously cold

News, Weather

February 25th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

The National Weather Service is calling this Winter season “Relentless,” especially when it comes to expected Wind Chill temperatures. Tuesday morning, wind chills across southern Iowa will range from -5 to -15 degrees, with -20 to -30 expected roughly north of Highway 30. By Sunday morning, the Wind Chill Index  (https://www.weather.gov/bou/windchill), or, how cold it feels with the air temperature and wind factored-in, is expected to be in the -27 degree range from I-80 south, to the lower to mid-minus 30 degree range from I-80 north all the way to northern Iowa, with -35 expected for Estherville and Mason City.

The wind chill index takes into account heat loss from the human body to its surroundings during cold and windy weather. Wind chill values near minus 25 degrees mean that frostbite is possible within 15 minutes.

Frostbite is the freezing of skin and the body tissue just beneath it. It first affects exposed body tissue where blood circulation may be limited such as your fingers, toes, nose and ears. To minimize frostbite, make sure all body parts are well covered. When frostbite starts, feeling is lost in the affected area and the frozen tissue will take on a white or pale appearance. If you suspect you are experiencing frostbite, hold the frostbitten area closely against warm skin to return blood flow and warmth to the affected area.
Hypothermia is a dangerously low body temperature and is the most common winter weather killer. When you hear of a hiker, climber, hunter, or a stranded traveler perishing from cold weather exposure, hypothermia was the cause. Most people are surprised to learn that hypothermia deaths can occur with temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees. If you or tour clothing are wet, then hypothermia becomes even more likely.

Projected Wind Chill readings Sunday, March 3rd

15 inches of snow in Buffalo Center, stranded motorists, blizzard conditions….

News, Weather

February 25th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa/KJAN weather date) — A blizzard and treacherous travel conditions struck much of the state this weekend. Snow plows were pulled from areas of northern Iowa Saturday night. The Iowa D-O-T closed Interstate-35 from the Ames exit all the way to the Minnesota border on Sunday morning. Rescue crews struggled to reach stranded motorists. Wright County Emergency Management director Jim Lester says road crews in his county will set out this (Monday) morning after the winds subside. “It’s going to be a chore for them,” he said. “Several of the roads are (drifted) completely shut.”

Hamilton County engineer Nikki Stinn said snow plows went out at noon Sunday to help clear paths to rescue motorists, but the plows were pulled off the roads after all rescues were completed. “It’s just too much (blowing snow), too unsafe to be out there trying to clear roads,” she said.

Buffalo Center seems to have had the most snow from this weekend’s storm — 15 inches. The National Weather Service announced early Sunday morning this is the snowiest February on record at the Des Moines Airport. There’s been more than 24 inches — that’s two feet — of snow in the capital city. Here in Atlantic, we’ve received 30.3 inches of snow since the beginning of the month. At Eppley Airport in Omaha, there’s been more than 44 inches of snow since December 1st. That shatters a record set during the winter of 2003 and 2004. If Omaha gets another two-tenths of snow this week, it will set the all-time snowiest February record as well.

Skyscan forecast for Atlantic & the area: Monday, 2/25/2019

Weather

February 25th, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Today: Partly cloudy. High 18. N @ 10-15.

Tonight: P/Cldy. Low 0. NE @ 5.

Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy w/flurries. High 20. E @ 10.

Wednesday: Mo. Cldy w/flurries. High 22.

Thursday: P/Cldy. High 25.

Yesterday’s High in Atlantic was 19. Our Low this morning, -9. Last year on this date our High was 42 and the Low was 22. The record High in Atlantic on this date was 70 in 1995. The Record Low was -12 in 2014.

Skyscan Forecast Sunday 02/24/2019

Podcasts, Weather

February 24th, 2019 by admin

Blizzard Warning remains in place for most of the KJAN listening area until 6:00pm. Remaining counties in Winter Weather Advisory until 6:00pm.
Today: Patchy blowing snow. Mostly sunny, with a steady temperature around 15. Wind chill values as low as -10. Windy, with a west northwest wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around -4. Wind chill values as low as -20. Blustery, with a west northwest wind 10 to 20 mph becoming north 5 to 10 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 26 mph.
Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 12. Wind chill values as low as -20. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Cloudy, with a low around 1. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 19.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 20.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 21.
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