winter storm setup passing over the plains?

[Chris Carter]

Its been a noticeable trait this winter. Storm systems seem to move out of the rockies and move into the plains to bring light precip and then it moves into the midwest and system finally brings in the moisture from the gulf of mexico to put down some heavy snow. Is it because the waves are moving too fast out of the rockies that moisture doesn't get into the cold sector until its east of the mississippi that the central plains have been forsaken of heavy snow, or is it something else?

 

[Jeff Duda]

I think part of the reason is because there have been some coast-clearing cold surges this year, more than usual. This is arctic air making it off the Gulf and Atlantic coasts and it is very dense and difficult to move. Due to it being so cold it is also very dry, thus the lowest levels of the atmosphere can't recover in time for the next system to come out even if it is taking a southerly track and is a Pacific storm (as opposed to a Canadian/Arctic one).