It has been a rare event having two sunny days back to back this winter, however we will take them when we get them. With the snow cover things sure have been bright outside – the amount of sunlight it reflects back into the atmosphere is very high, reflecting 80 to 90 percent of the incoming sunlight. By contrast, trees, plants, and soil reflect only 10 to 30 percent of sunlight. Snow cover wields the largest influence during springtime (April to May) in the Northern Hemisphere, when days become longer and the amount of sunshine increases over snow-covered areas. Snow’s high reflectivity helps Earth’s energy balance, because it reflects solar energy back into space, which helps cool the planet.
The thermal properties of snow have important consequences for climate, as well. Snow acts like an insulating blanket. Beneath just one foot of snow, the soil and the organisms within it are protected from changes in the air temperature above the snow surface. Snow’s cold, moist surface influences how much heat and moisture circulate between the ground and the atmosphere. Snow helps insulate the ground below, holding in heat and preventing moisture from evaporating into the atmosphere. Even on top of other frozen material, such as permafrost and river ice or sea ice, snow cover prevents ice from forming as quickly.
When soil does freeze, it locks in gases like carbon and methane, inhibiting chemical exchanges between the ground and air. Frozen soil also inhibits the movement of water within the soil and on the soil surface. Because the soil is frozen, its surface is sealed over and so it absorbs less new liquid water, leading to more surface runoff. In addition, once soil has frozen, snow’s insulating qualities can delay melting. Knowing whether soil is frozen, and knowing how soon that soil may thaw, is important in estimating how much water might be available during the spring and summer melt.
Luckily we have had a lot of rain and above normal temps to raise the amount of moisture in the soil this season which will be helpful for the farmers to get the crops going in the spring. Along with the addition of snow this month the moisture factors have a slower release into the atmosphere and are locked into the ground.
At 8am we had 8° in Otsego which has risen to 11° at 8:30 under a thin layer of clouds. We will begin another active weather pattern tomorrow with a mix of precipitation, there are no advisories in place at this time. The next system will come in the Saturday time frame and will be stronger than the one tomorrow which may be a snow to rain to snow event then yet another system moves in for late Monday into Tuesday.
Highs in the 40s this weekend. I’m glad there won’t be any travel issues. Our boy’s team is in the Little Caesers state playoffs in Dearborn.
Congrats to their team. My grand daughter’s cheer competition team has made it to regional and they have to travel north of Brighton from here on Saturday. I too hope there is no travel issues.
I heard a good one today- “Under all this snow is SPRING” It made me laugh.
More storms are brewing next couple weeks stay tuned for more winter weather! INDY!
Hopefully rain!!! Lol
Hopefully all SNOW!!!!
The snow just keeps coming! What a winter! Above normal snowfall even though all of the warm weather fanatics guaranteed below normal snowfall! Incredible!
All signs, models and the cpc still give us well below normal temps with snow starting next week and lasting at least 2 solid weeks! Bring it on!
Winter Weather Advisory
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Grand Rapids MI
236 PM EST Tue Feb 19 2019
MIZ037>040-043>046-050>052-056>059-064>067-200345-
/O.NEW.KGRR.WW.Y.0015.190220T1600Z-190221T0300Z/
Mason-Lake-Osceola-Clare-Oceana-Newaygo-Mecosta-Isabella-Muskegon-
Montcalm-Gratiot-Ottawa-Kent-Ionia-Clinton-Allegan-Barry-Eaton-
Ingham-
Including the cities of Ludington, Baldwin, Reed City, Clare,
Hart, Fremont, Big Rapids, Mount Pleasant, Muskegon, Greenville,
Alma, Grand Haven, Jenison, Grand Rapids, Ionia, St. Johns,
Holland, Hastings, Charlotte, and Lansing
236 PM EST Tue Feb 19 2019
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 10 PM EST
WEDNESDAY…
* WHAT…Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of
up to one inch and ice accumulations of up to one tenth of an
inch expected. An area of precipitation will be spreading in
from the south late Wednesday morning. The onset will likely be
snow. A transition to light freezing rain or freezing drizzle is
forecasted during the afternoon. The precipitation is predicted
to gradually diminish Wednesday evening.
* WHERE…Portions of central, south central, southwest and west
central Michigan.
* WHEN…From 11 AM to 10 PM EST Wednesday.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Plan on slippery road conditions. The
hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or
freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Expect slippery
roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.
&&
Winter weather advisory for most of the day west Michigan Wednesday 10am … INDY!
I’m back! This blog look like it died without me! February is still above average temp wise? Who knew! And it looks a couple more storms with lots of rain/mix upcoming. More like March than February!
While the CPC shows us on the edge of colder temps out west, the CFS weeklies have us average to warm now until spring! Lots of 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s coming up!
And above snowfall last check 24 inches for February wow you have missed a lot here in Michigan Mookie…Its been snowing for days … INDY!
Winter weather advisory for the Detroit area tomorrow I’m thinking all of southern lower Michigan will be under a winter weather advisory come tomorrow morning … INDY!
Western Michigan (Snow & Ice 8am to 5pm Tomorrow)
THE WEATHER PROS
TUE FEB 19, 2019
9:08AM UPDATE
Rob Guariano
315-925-2500
WEATHER HOTLINE
24/7 FOR UPDATES
==========
We have another winter mix event tomorrow with a coating of snow and under .10″ of ice. The system starts as snow 8am to 11am and is over to light ice from 11am to 5pm. After 5pm we could see a few wet snow showers with drizzle from 5pm to 11pm as temps slowly rise above freezing.
==========
TODAY
Sunny Skies
Clouds Tonight
Highs 27-29
Lows 15-27
Winds Light
=====
TOMORROW
Snow Showers
From 8am-11am
Dusting of Snow
Ice From 11am to 5pm
Ice is Under .10″
Highs 30-32
Winds 10-18mph
==========
WED NIGHT
After 5pm
Until 11pm
Drizzle/Fog
Wet Snow Shower
NO ACCUM
Rainfall .04″
Temps 33 5pm
Temps 35 by 11pm
Winds 11-22mph
==========
THU & FRI
Sun & Clouds
Highs 38-40
Lows 20-24
==========
WEEKEND
Fair Sat
Showers Sun
Highs 44-46
Lows 35-38
==========
MONDAY
Partly Sunny
Highs 32-34
==========
OUTLOOK
FEB 25-MAR 6
=====
FEB 28 Flurries
MAR 03 Light Snow
MAR 5-6 Rain/Snow
=====
NEXT UPDATE
TOMORROW AM
Unless a big change in
the forecast tonight
Yes I agree Rocky seeing some artic air coming for at least the first two weeks of March will a storm pattern stuck right over the great lks = Snow .. Stay Tuned INDY!
Get ready – starting next week we will be in a cold and snowy pattern and it could last at least 2 weeks! I absolutely love it!
While not sure just how much ice/snow western Michigan gets over the next 2 weeks it looks to be cold for the most part but look for a warming trend starting around March 10
Slim
Beautiful sunrise this morning!!!