Winter Storm/Blizzard 4/4-4/6

[cstrunk]

Here is Ames, IA we were lucky enough to get "stuck" close to the pivot point of the heavy deformation band. The snow was extremely wet and slushy. A decent amount of compaction and melting occurred as it was falling, but as far as total snow accumulation, we probably ended up with 6-8". Heavier snow totals of 8-10"+ just north of here as they were in the heavy band of snow a bit longer. The wind blew it around some, but I haven't been out in the open areas to have a feel for if there was any big problems with drifting. I-35 near Story City was closed for a while earlier due to a gridlock situation due to visibility and slick roads.

Pretty impressive April snowstorm overall, but I kind of wish it would have been a few degrees colder so it wouldn't have melted so much as it fell. But now it can warm up soon so we can get some thunderstorms... please!

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

Here is a 6 frame gif of the semi starting to jackknife.

Full account here:

http://www.extremeinstability.com/09-4-5.htm