Another chapter to be written...

One never can tell halfway through a season whether it is going to be memorable or not, but this year may be different. We have seen 43.4" of snow at the La Crosse Municipal Airport; that is already about our normal or average snow fall for an entire season, and we have two of our most prolific snow-producing months to go. That doesn't mean that the "snow" machine will continue to spit out inch after inch of that frozen blanket, but it does give us at least a chance of some pretty impressive numbers. In terms of temperatures it hasn't been particularly notable, but there's still time to rewrite a few records, even though we are past the time of the coldest normals.

This year, perhaps more than most, has seen wild shifts in temperatures. The next few days will bear this trend out. We will go from a high of 45 degrees on Monday(28th) to a low of -11 degrees on Wednesday(30th). That is a projected change of 56 degrees in just 36 hours. A good chunk of that change will occur Tuesday in the immediate wake of a strong cold frontal passage in the morning.

In addition, the  cold air will generate 2 to 5 inches of snow. With the winds picking up to 20 to 40 miles per hour, considerable blowing and drifting will occur. Travel will prove difficult, especially in the rural, open and higher terrain regions in the News 19 viewing area.

All in all, a day to stay indoors and ponder the question of whether we will remember the 2007-08 winter season.

Until next time;

Dan Breeden
News 19 Chief Meteorologist