I highlighted the period of December 8-15 about two weeks ago for a major pattern change towards winter across the country. I am glad to say that has come to fruition, although many deny the pattern change we are dealing with. LOOK AROUND, the snow-cover across the country has increased rapidly. Last week at this time the snow cover across the country was at 14.4%. With the major winter storm that produced near record snow totals for December in the upper mid-west has increased the U.S. snow cover to 31.9%!!! Also, notice how DEEP the snow pack is up there in southern Canada.
This is actually a major factor when it comes to our weather pattern. As cold air masses come down from Canada, snow-cover across the Plains helps these cold air masses from warming up as much as the head south. When there is a lack of snow cover to our north, it is harder for an Arctic air mass to make it this far south.
Here is a snow cover map from the same time last year. Notice it is more blotchy in nature, and not as deep in southern Canada. And last year, the snow cover never increased throughout the winter. That in turn, caused the air masses to moderate as the moved south, probably why we never had a "true arctic intrusion" last winter.
Storm systems love to track just south of the snow cover areas, and it looks like the system this weekend will do just that.
The system for the weekend looks to track right across central/northern Indiana, but the air will be way too warm for any snow at this point, likely a rain event with this one. Maybe a flurry as the system exits, but that would be it as far as snow is concerned.
The weather pattern as we head toward late month looks VERY active! Will a storm system be able to bring us some SNOW, or more rain? Too early to tell, but if the snow cover to our north increases a bit more, (like I am expecting) then that should allow the storm track across the area to shift farther south, hopefully bringing us snow. Stay tuned snow-lovers. :)
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