2/1 - 2/3 FCST S. PLAINS/MIDWEST/GL/NE STORM

[Tim Vasquez]

A quick photo of what we ended up with east of Norman... photo taken at 7:20 am CST.

In summary, no whiteout or crippling snow. On the other hand, my Davis sensor shows 11°F and the winds are very gusty at times.

Tim

 

[Jeff Snyder]

Tim, that's about what it looks like here northeast of Edmond. Well, we didn't get as much sleet initially as you did, but it looks similar. In the open areas, I'd say no more than 2-3", maybe a bit more in some of the slightly-more-protected areas. In some areas of my front and back yard, though, I can still find blades of grass (short lawn grass) protruding through the snow cover.

Visibilities up here aren't too bad either, considering the strength of the winds. It just looks like there's just not that much snow to blow around. Of course, this is in context of the apocalyptic snowfall that the NAM and some other forecasts were indicating. Honestly, the winds and cold are a bigger story for me (gusts to 45-55 mph earlier this morning) -- it's not too often that you see -10 to -25 F wind chills in Oklahoma.

I should turn on the TV to watch the reporters find the absolute tallest piles of snow / deepest drifts to stick their foot in as if it's some good reference for the snow in the area.

I feel for the folks who need to make official forecasts. I tend not to spend too much time on (nor pass on much hype about) snowfall forecasting considering the number of times I've been burned (by the models) or by the number of times the models have been burned (by the atmosphere ). The NAM forecasts (some of which had 16-24" for central OK) were so many standard deviations about high-snowfall climatologies in central Oklahoma that it gave me reasons to be cautious. Of course, this only applies to this area -- perhaps "snowmageddon 2011" will verify at points northeast of the OKC area.

 

[Mike Smith]

I should turn on the TV to watch the reporters find the absolute tallest piles of snow / deepest drifts to stick their foot in as if it's some good reference for the snow in the area.

Jeff, then you should enjoy this! http://meteorologicalmusings.blogspot.com/2011/01/winter-storm-bingo.html

 

[Trey Thee]

Jeff I think we're definitely getting a lot more than you guys. I just finished up my cardio so as soon as I cool off I'll pull out the camera and take a few pics.

 

[DWest]

Looks like the east-forecast is the winner. The system tracked a little further east before jogging north. Not sure how much snow we have here in N OKC, but I don't think it is near 10 inches. Alot of drifting from the wind, can't really tell the rate of snowfall because of all the blowing snow. Definitely blizzard conditions!

Looks like NE OK and SW MO are going to get slammed. I bet there will be 15"+ amounts in that region. Springfield MO, watch out!

Taking a quick glance outside, it doesn't look like we picked up a ton of stuff overnight; a visual estimate would say maybe 1/2" of something. Snow is falling right now, but I'd hazard that there's a thin layer of sleet underneath. It's a bit odd, provided there are several reports of heavy snow just to the north and east; one 6" report in Japser county and several 5" reports from earlier this morning. Someone else reported 2" in Greene county, but I have a feeling this gradient is right through the county. At least it's all snow now, but I'm not so convinced of the impressive totals anymore - at least for my particular locale. I'm sure someone in the vicinity will get it.

 

[KenMcWatters]

Well Snowmaggedon 2011 may well have verified in Tulsa. The news says the city is "crippled" by the snow. As of 8 a.m. Tulsa International reported 12" of snow, just shy of the all time record for 24 hour snowfall.

I'm in Broken Arrow, and here's a couple of pictures out my front door (my sidewalk is buried) and the back porch. I haven't attempted to measure but it looks close to a foot with 2 foot drifts. Will post more pics later once I get out in it.

 

[Trey Thee]

Sorry for the quality on these first few, I was shooting through a slightly foggy window. Front door has about 15 inches of snow drifted in front of it...

 

[Robert Rohloff]

I have been out driving and streaming since 0300 hours. I have measured 14 inches just east of Owasso in Rogers County. Roads have become impassable, trust me on this I almost did not make it back home. Had several whiteout incidents due to the wind/snow. Many roads are closed due to stranded vehicles. Interstates I-40 and I-44 have been closed. I doubt that I will be able to get out of the neighborhood at this time. For those north and east of Oklahoma good luck, this one hit us hard.

I am about 7 miles north of the Hard Rock Casino in Catoosa Ok. They are now reporting the roof collasped due to snow.

 

[Trey Thee]

I have been out driving and streaming since 0300 hours. I have measured 14 inches just east of Owasso in Rogers County. Roads have become impassable, trust me on this I almost did not make it back home. Had several whiteout incidents due to the wind/snow. Many roads are closed due to stranded vehicles. Interstates I-40 and I-44 have been closed. I doubt that I will be able to get out of the neighborhood at this time. For those north and east of Oklahoma good luck, this one hit us hard.

Where in Owasso are you? I'm also in Owasso...

 

[DWest]

Where in Owasso are you? I'm also in Owasso...

Here in Greene county there's a similar situation going on - about an hour ago I measured 1.5", 2/10" of which was sleet. I live in the middle of Springfield; just to the northwest outside of town in Ash Grove they measured 6". Pretty big discrepant in the total precipitation, even if you expand the sleet we had to snow totals.

 

[Trey Thee]

Here in Greene county there's a similar situation going on - about an hour ago I measured 1.5", 2/10" of which was sleet. I live in the middle of Springfield; just to the northwest outside of town in Ash Grove they measured 6". Pretty big discrepant in the total precipitation, even if you expand the sleet we had to snow totals.

You guys probably have another 8 hours of snow and wind coming your way...

it's slowed down to a moderate snow here in Owasso...

 

[Jeff Piotrowski]

Owasso

Snow moderate to heavy band moving back in to Tulsa now from SW.

All Interstates are closed in NE/OK trucks and car are stuck all over the city.

Winds are picking up with Blizzard conditions are increasing across NE/OK as of 10:30 am.

Tulsa NWS should break all time record for 24 hour old record 12.9" soon!!

Official UPDATE: NWS office 10.8" as of 10:00am.

Tulsa Airport 15" on the ground.

expect another 3-5 Tulsa.

 

[Trey Thee]

Snow moderate to heavy band moving back in to Tulsa now from SW.

All Interstates are closed in NE/OK trucks and car are stuck all over the city.

Winds are picking up with Blizzard conditions are increasing across NE/OK as of 10:30 am.

Tulsa NWS should break all time record for 24 hour old record 12.9" soon!!

Official UPDATE: NWS office 10.8" as of 10:00am.

Tulsa Airport 15" on the ground.

expect another 3-5 Tulsa.

Thanks for the update Jeff

 

[DWest]

Total snowfall here is at 4" - dry slot is starting to move in, not sure if that deformation zone will really affect far southern Missouri. Totals end up being somewhat disappointing in this area.

 

[Trey Thee]

Total snowfall here is at 4" - dry slot is starting to move in, not sure if that trowel will really affect far southern Missouri. Totals end up being somewhat disappointing in this area.

Don't throw in the towel yet DWest. we're still getting hit with pretty moderate to heavy snow, its all headed up 44 to you guys...