2/7-8, 2010 Southern Plains winter storm

[MatthewCarman]

Central Iowa is getting hit by a very heavy band of snow. Travel is dangerous and Interstate I-35 has just closed. There has been several major accidents reported across Des Moines and Ankeny. 8-12" of snow possible for the area with 25-35 MPH winds moving in by tonight which could produce near blizzard conditions.

 

[Karen Politte]

Central AR is currently seeing an extremely impressive snow event. Here in Conway, we have extremely heavy (I estimate 2"/hr or more) snowfall rate, coupled with the most GIGANTIC snowflakes I have ever seen. I measured one of the flakes that fell outside our office door - it was 1.5" in diameter.

It's not very often that central AR sees a nice snowfall without the hindrance of frzra or sleet compounding on the roads. I am very happy right now!!!

KP

 

[Jason Young]

Well at 9 am Ada was at 35 deg. by 10 am it was 33 with Moderate to heavy snow till noon . Now it is 39 deg. You got to love this weather !

 

[Karen Politte]

Just got home, had lunch and was able to measure the snow outside while caring for the birds and knocking snow off my azaleas to make sure they don't break. We have a straight, bona-fide 5" across the board - on the chairs outside, the table, the bird feeder, the dumpster, the ground. It's still coming down heavily, too......

They reckon it's been about 10 years since a snowfall like this in these parts. Some of our relatives are having to walk up their hill to get home on the outtskirts of the city this afternoon......

EDIT: 6" in the yard now on flat surfaces......

KP

 

[MatthewCarman]

The storm in Iowa has stalled some so the snow continues to fall here. Northeast Iowa is seeing 9" of snow so far in some areas. Between Des Moines and Newton just west of Colfax Semi's can't get over the hill on the interstate and have ended up blocking interstate I-80. Travel is not recommended across parts of central Iowa and once the winds kick in travel is only going to get worse.

 

[Chris Heater]

Our advisory recently got upgraded to a warning. Now instead of around 6" we're looking to get 8"+ of snow. If this turns out, it would be our biggest snowfall of the winter so far. Once the snow starts blowing, its going to get ugly. ILX said to only travel in an emergency

 

[Chris Heater]

Looks like Chicago went with a blizzard watch for the southern part of their warning area. Their letting the day shift decide to up it to a warning or not. Sounds like it will be very close to a ground blizzard. Got a call from a family member in Lincoln, IL and said the winds are not too bad...but its enough to cause visibility to be nearly zero. Will be interesting to see whether or not we DO have a blizzard. Would be our second one in 3 years...when the normal is 1 every 10 years

 

[MatthewCarman]

I have around 9" of snow outside and some parts of Iowa saw over 11" of snow. Time for the east coast to get hammered again.