MD 0161 CONCERNING HEAVY SNOW FOR CENTRAL AND EASTERN IOWA…INTO PORTIONS OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND SOUTHERN WISCONSIN
Mesoscale Discussion 0161
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0802 AM CST Thu Feb 16 2023
Areas affected...central and eastern Iowa...into portions of
northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin
Concerning...Heavy snow
Valid 161402Z - 162000Z
SUMMARY...Periods of heavy snow with rates near 1 in/hr will be
possible through this morning and into the afternoon as snow shifts
eastward. Mixed precip types may also develop along the southern
edge of heavier snow.
DISCUSSION...Over the last 90 min, surface observations across
portions of western and central IA have shown an upward trend in
snowfall rates ahead of a fast-moving, positive-tilt upper trough
moving across portions of the central Plains and Midwest. Regional
radar imagery shows a band of moderate to heavy snow across western
IA that should expand eastward through this morning. Embedded within
an area of broad stratiform precipitation, low static stability from
mid-level warm advection will likely continue to support mesoscale
banding with higher precipitation rates through the next several
hours. Enhanced lift within the bands and deepening dendritic growth
zones will likely result in snowfall rates near 1 in/hr, across
central and eastern IA into portions of northern IL/southern WI
through this morning and into the afternoon.
To the south of the main snow band, more marginal temps may support
mixed-mode precipitation types across parts of southeastern IA into
northern IL. While rates will likely be lesser than within the main
precip band farther north, periods of sleet and freezing rain may
cause occasional travel disruptions through the morning. A change
over to all snow, with some potential for locally heavy rates is
possible later this afternoon. Precipitation should gradually
diminish late this afternoon and through the evening as the
upper-level trough shifts eastward and lift weakens.
..Lyons/Edwards.. 02/16/2023
...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product...
ATTN...WFO...LOT...MKX...DVN...ARX...DMX...OAX...
LAT...LON 42188818 41539060 41179215 40929435 40959524 41159572
41659574 42329426 43179104 43358908 43408794 43128779
42688769 42308769 42188818
