Snow season...

The snowy and cold weather just continues to come on strong in the Upper Midwest. The latest stats indicate the amounts so far have already exceeded the normal or average 42.3" for an entire season. The National Weather Service in La Crosse reports that the La Crosse Municipal Airport has officially picked up 46.9" and that is 17.9" above average to this point in the winter season.

Are we ready to talk about a record year? Probably not. In the winter of 1961-62 78.6" fell at the La Crosse site. We would have to really pour it on to reach those lofty numbers. It is possible, but as you know, in Wisconsin the snow-making machine could just as abruptly shut off. Time will tell.

The weather pattern has shifted several times this winter, but it has worked out that snow has been able to fall in each of the different weather modes. We just missed the brunt of the latest storm. Parts of southern Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois picked up over a foot and a half of snow.

An interesting side note was the ferocity of the low pressure system that produced the snow. It also generated the record breaking February severe weather and tornado outbreak in other parts of the country.

Until next time;

Dan Breeden
News 19 Chief Meteorologist