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Light snow as Arctic BLAST arrives

Good afternoon bloggers,

We are now going into the deep freeze!  A band of light snow has formed along the Arctic front and is moving through the Kansas City metro area this afternoon.  It will blow around in the roads a bit but no accumulation is expected.  Temperatures are crashing. I just took Breezy and Stormy outside for one more walk and now it is inside the rest of the day. 

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY is now in effect through Sunday!  We are still tracking three disturbances for next weeks snow and precipitation potential.  One comes through Monday, a second comes through Tuesday into Christmas Eve morning, and a third comes through around Christmas Day.  This is very complex as they are fast moving shortwaves.  We will try to blog about this later today and I will post a surface map soon. 

NBC Action News Meteorologist and weather producer Jeff Penner will be presenting the weather tonight at 5 and 10 PM.  Watch NBC Action News as we track this Arctic outbreak.

Gary

Published Saturday, December 20, 2008 1:03 PM by glezak

Comments

 

Andrew_Stafford said:

27.7 here
December 20, 2008 1:10 PM
 

Andrew_Stafford said:

Light Snow here in Olathe
December 20, 2008 1:12 PM
 

Andrew_Stafford said:

Winds are now 10-15mph Gusts 15-20
December 20, 2008 1:14 PM
 

Andrew_Stafford said:

First 3 comments!! Sweet!! LOL
December 20, 2008 1:18 PM
 

Andrew_Stafford said:

This is SWWEEEEETTT!! LEt is get Cold, Let it get Cold, and "Let there be snow, let there be snow,this kinda weather brings people together..."            
December 20, 2008 1:23 PM
 

Andrew_Stafford said:

1st 4 comments, and snow picking up here with a little dusting blowing around
December 20, 2008 1:28 PM
 

JoeKC said:

The temperature has dropped 5 degrees in the last 1/2 hour.  Now down to 20 in Shoal Creek/Liberty area.
December 20, 2008 1:32 PM
 

JoeDogNKC said:

Showing 25 here in NKC area.
December 20, 2008 1:46 PM
 

NicoleWasHere said:

It's flurrying very lightly, here in south Kansas City.  It's pretty windy, I'd say the gusts are close to around 30.  Omg, it's soooo cold outside.  Like, stupid cold.
December 20, 2008 1:48 PM
 

JFTtown said:

Wow this makes me miss the 80s and 90s.  And I'm not talking about the decades ;)
December 20, 2008 1:58 PM
 

MrSteve said:

Andrew I think I' am going to nickname you "Schadenfreude".

December 20, 2008 2:00 PM
 

Dwxtracker said:

Not a drastic drop (yet), but we went from 26 at 1pm, to 20 at 2pm, so its getting colder!

David
December 20, 2008 2:00 PM
 

Andrew_Stafford said:

26.2. Sun is out! my wx station is starting to warm up b/c of sun so it say the temperature is rising a little. I don't believe it though.
December 20, 2008 2:02 PM
 

KansasPatriot said:

Sunshine here at 124th and state line
December 20, 2008 2:05 PM
 

chfs327 said:

\_O__/
December 20, 2008 2:07 PM
 

MrSteve said:

I think I'm going to have to learn Spanish and move to Brazil or something.

December 20, 2008 2:10 PM
 

lvsnow said:

It's getting cold out, that much i know.  Just talked to my sister in South Dakota, she said they were at -6 at 10:00 a.m this morning.  Which isn't as bad as week ago when they were at -20 degrees actual temp.
December 20, 2008 2:13 PM
 

MrSteve said:

Well at least sun and blue sky is here. That will cheer things up a little bit.
December 20, 2008 2:14 PM
 

Roberto said:

23.9 in NE JOCO.
December 20, 2008 2:30 PM
 

farmgirl said:

Hasn't this been the windiest year? Maybe some one can compare winds speeds this year to last year. Just seems like the winds have howled a better part of this summer/fall/winter.

Time to bake some Christmas cookies and heat the house up a bit. I'm tired of wearing layers.

I'd rather have a Hawiian Christmas... bring on the heat and the hula skirts!
December 20, 2008 2:33 PM
 

JeriCorrell said:

Just got a chance here at work to read the last blog. Stormdog, you are a kindred soul. Growing up mainly in the southwest , I get very down when it is cold and gray out as well. (I was born in New England, as was my mom, who insisted my dad put in for a base in warm weather so she would never have to shovel again). I live for sunny, warm, happy days, where I can drive without worrying about sliding into oblivion or wrapping my pipes and running up the water bill by dripping the faucets so they don't burst. When you are used to running around outside every day, being stuck freezing inside is not fun. But like you said, different strokes... come on 75 degrees.
December 20, 2008 2:41 PM
 

nikieis said:

can anyone tell me the last time it snowed in kc on christmas?
December 20, 2008 2:51 PM
 

simplykristi said:

I just came back from an errand.  As I was leaving, there were flurries in the air.   Now the sun is out.  Yikes it is cold! BRRRRRRR

Kristi
December 20, 2008 2:52 PM
 

weatherjaded said:

MrSteve,
        You may want to learn Portugese for Brazil, just a thought though.
December 20, 2008 2:53 PM
 

weatherjaded said:

<------------------- Hoping for lots of snow! Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
December 20, 2008 2:54 PM
 

weatherjaded said:

If I am understanding the latest NAM it only shows minimal precipitation on the 24th and nothing else before that.  Am I reading that correctly?

Matt
December 20, 2008 2:58 PM
 

Andrew_Stafford said:

Amen! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!!! ----------------------------------------->
December 20, 2008 3:02 PM
 

weathermom said:

It snowed December 24, 1997.  I remember it well.  Was so pretty.
December 20, 2008 3:24 PM
 

Andrew_Stafford said:

22.6 and dropping
Olathe North HS says it's 14 out there, I live right across from their wx station, but theirs is on their roof, my facing east in the side of my house.

http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KKSOLATH16
December 20, 2008 3:28 PM
 

Stilwell said:

Let it snow! I can't stand when the weather people even mention snow because I get so excited! I hate the sun and the warm, I want cold, gray and snowy! Please Gary, tell me we will have snow for Christmas!
December 20, 2008 3:31 PM
 

WinterTracker said:

I am going to near Mason City,IA around Saturday, December 27 and will be back around the 5th of Jan. Any general thoughts like whether there will be any storms around then, or tough travel? I REALLY need to know.


December 20, 2008 3:47 PM
 

NicoleWasHere said:

Temperature dropped from 25º to 20º fairly quick.  I can't give an exact time frame, but it didn't take long.
December 20, 2008 3:49 PM
 

lezakEF5 said:

Hey Gary,

Is there a chance the National Weather Service may issue a Wind Chill Watch or Warning somewhere in the viewing area?

Alex
December 20, 2008 3:55 PM
 

marlina10 said:

Brrr! I was out in Overland Park finishing my Christmas shopping today. When I went into the mall (yes, I braved the mall today) it was cold and when I left it was even colder. It's now 19 degrees here in Mission with a bitter wind.
December 20, 2008 4:01 PM
 

amscoking said:

the new GFS is being quite aggressive for snow/mixed precip accumulation (0.5"+) across the entire viewing area for the 23rd through the 24th.
December 20, 2008 4:05 PM
 

Brett34 said:

It is 16.6 Degrees in Sprindale west of Leavenworth 17 miles or so,  with a snow shower about every twenty minutes, kinda of cool!  Sun, clouds and a couple snow  showers!  Just to cold for the clouds to retain moisture.  Wind has been gusting very hard the last hour.  Some of the snow showers have been moderate, but just the kind that blow around and drift up around the corners of your deck a centimeter or two- lol.
Im looking for another good 3", we lost very little snow over that freezing rain to rain event a couple days ago.   The same areas keep getting blasted.  That has me a little concerned.  When it comes to patience and snow, I try my best.  That's all I can say.  Atleast our snow didn't melt here.  The temp is really falling fast now we are at 14.7 in the last twenty minutes since I checked last.  
December 20, 2008 4:06 PM
 

heavysnow said:

I believe we will have a white Christmas.  


Using the LRC, when can we expect the next blast of Arctic Air?  Late January or Early February?  
December 20, 2008 4:17 PM
 

KansasPatriot said:

If the pattern for snow continues we should maybe get 2 maybe 3 inches at best.  Really weak the precipitation we have been getting.  Look at everywhere else...the whole country is getting great snow.  Chicago/Michigan is in the perfect zone.  The northeast is getting great snows as well.  We just get cold air, a small disturbance, and off it moves to strengthen and give someone else the fun!!!

ARRGGHHHH
December 20, 2008 4:30 PM
 

Dwxtracker said:

weatherjaded said:
"If I am understanding the latest NAM it only shows minimal precipitation on the 24th and nothing else before that.  Am I reading that correctly?"

Yes, but the NAM doesn't go out far enough yet to show the storm yet. It is in the next time period, (90 hours) that the GFS gives us the snow storm. The NAM only goes out to 84, so the 0Z run will show it, if it has a storm.

David
December 20, 2008 4:42 PM
 

A dogg said:

I am crosssing my fingers for a white Christmas!!  My snow total for the year is a little over an inch here in drexel. Its pitifull, las vegas has had more snow than me!!
December 20, 2008 4:48 PM
 

FlakeFan said:

Last year we had SOME snow on christmas, Jeff called it a brown christmas on the 6 a.m. newscast.
December 20, 2008 5:02 PM
 

heavysnow said:

NAM has the storm being slower than the GFS
December 20, 2008 5:06 PM
 

Andrew_Stafford said:

15.8 here in Olathe
December 20, 2008 5:41 PM
 

FlakeFan said:

New Blog
December 20, 2008 5:44 PM
 

momof3 said:

I still prefer all of this to 90's and 100's!  I will take the cold and snow anyday!  Really, you can put in my order, snow anyday!
December 20, 2008 5:44 PM
 

Kcchamps said:

9.6 deg. here in Independence  Brrrr!
December 20, 2008 5:44 PM
 

jalanes said:

I was just wondering when the precip on tuesday is going to come in, I need to drive to St Louis that day
December 20, 2008 5:50 PM
 

pvt_murphy said:

9 degrees at the fort...clear skies, temps are falling quickly.
December 20, 2008 5:50 PM
 

Greg said:

I've seen some forecasts for temps. to go above freezing for several days, starting Christmas day!
December 20, 2008 6:05 PM
 

Ipushsnow said:

"Other" forcasts don't really matter.

So the trending is for snow on Christmas Eve!!!
That would keep me away from the inlaws ;)
December 20, 2008 6:16 PM
 

Greg said:

Ipushsnow, "Other" forecasts don't really matter. Why?
December 20, 2008 6:25 PM
 

Kcchamps said:

the "other" forecasts dont matter because they are ALWAYS off  :) they use the NWS to help make their forecasts  
December 20, 2008 6:36 PM
 

Kcchamps said:

here is the latest Gfs SNOWfall map
http://wxcaster4.com/gfs/CONUS2_GFS0P5_SFC_ACCUM-SNOW_120HR.gif
December 20, 2008 6:38 PM
 

FlakeFan said:

Currently 9 degrees in Lawrence! Cold!
December 20, 2008 6:42 PM
 

Andrew_Stafford said:

13.3 here in Olathe
December 20, 2008 6:54 PM
 

Ipushsnow said:

Thank you Kcchamps,couldn't have said that any better myself.

To add to that,I have pushed for about 15 years and I would always watch 2 other stations and would think I was going to have a big storm and it would end up nothing.Then around 2003 I startad watching Gary,not long after that I was a true beleiver.

Not trying to put the "others" down ,but they are not as good.Gary and team can tell us what it's going to do and why.
December 20, 2008 6:55 PM
 

Ipushsnow said:

Kcchamps how much is that forcasting? I can't read the legend on bottom.
December 20, 2008 7:02 PM
 

Greg said:

I've always just tried to take in as much information as possible, I'm kinda old school that way. To say other forecasts are "always" off is a bit of a stretch, don't you think? Just because its not what you want to hear doesn't make it wrong.
December 20, 2008 7:05 PM
 

Kcchamps said:

Ipushsnow:

you should be able to click and zoom in, if you cant,   this map is saying 2-4" for the south side, and 5-8+"  for just north. very interesting
December 20, 2008 7:06 PM
 

Kcchamps said:

down to 7deg in independence
December 20, 2008 7:07 PM
 

heavysnow said:

Actually if you look at the map it has 3 to 6 inches on the south side and 6 inches from I-70 north

that will change probably change several times
December 20, 2008 7:15 PM
 

KansasPatriot said:

That snow map is going to snow more snow the next day or so.  Probably 8-10 inches right over KC as it always does, and then a day or so before the target snow date it will go back to 1-3 as usual.


December 20, 2008 7:29 PM
 

KC_Hams said:

10.0 in NKC
December 20, 2008 7:30 PM
 

weatherjaded said:

Where is the re-enforcement of cold air that we will need for this snow?  It seems like a situation where by the time the precipitation gets here the cold air mass will be pushed out.  Any thoughts from anyone that knows more than I do.  Also wasn't there multiple waves before xmas?  I don't see where those are showing up in the models?
Matt
December 20, 2008 7:32 PM
 

PeterR said:

"This is very complex as they are fast moving shortwaves.  We will try to blog about this later today and I will post a surface map soon."

Soon?
December 20, 2008 7:40 PM
 

Tawn00 said:

7.0 in Blue Springs.  Brrrrrrrr!
December 20, 2008 7:40 PM
 

davidmcg said:

5.5 on McLouth, just lovely.
December 20, 2008 7:56 PM
 

davidmcg said:

Gary or Jeff, did we forget the surface map?
December 20, 2008 7:56 PM
 

Kcchamps said:

down to 5.8deg  COLD!
December 20, 2008 8:02 PM
 

weatherjaded said:

8.9 in grandview
December 20, 2008 8:17 PM
 

weatherjaded said:

8.9 in grandview
December 20, 2008 8:17 PM
 

Holmes524 said:

Looks like my county is in the 6-8 inch range for snow per the map Kcchamps posted HOWEVER that means we will get a trace.  LOL  Ive been a good kid this year so maybe Santa will deliver a bunch of snow
December 20, 2008 8:26 PM
 

Kcchamps said:

dropping fast!!  now at 4.5deg
December 20, 2008 8:31 PM
 

Kcchamps said:

holmes524:

i think you will see something, you may get your wish :)
December 20, 2008 8:35 PM
 

Emmysmom said:

What kind of snow are we looking at for Tuesday and Wednesday?  For those of us that have to work, is this going to cause a lot of travel headaches?
December 20, 2008 8:46 PM
 

Ipushsnow said:

I need a wether station so I can get better temp readings.My cheap outdoor thermometer is showing around 4 in Holt.

Just came in from the hot tub where my hair was getting ice in it from the steam.
My wife thought I was crazy for going out :)
December 20, 2008 8:57 PM
 

davidmcg said:

3.7 now in McLouth

Do you all really believe that GFS map?  So far out from any storm, its a pipe dream at best.  Put your faith in that and you will be as bad as the NWS.
December 20, 2008 8:58 PM
 

f00dl3 said:

Gary & Team

Temperatures are REALLY tanking right now... and dewpoints are tanking w/ the temperatures. Is there anything to stop temperatures from reaching -10 or tonight? If temperatures are -15 tonight, they will struggle to even make it to 0 tomorrow, and tomorrow night if we are still under the influance of this powerfull artic high, well - how powerfull is this artic high? Powerfull enough for us to flirt with -20?
December 20, 2008 9:03 PM
 

Holmes524 said:

Davidmcg we can dream can't we?  LOL
December 20, 2008 9:12 PM
 

stjoelawyer said:

we were -6 wED AM  and last 19 Jan -13 with the snow then and now we fall to -10 tomarrow.....-15 monday
December 20, 2008 9:32 PM
 

LRCfan said:

wow 2 degrees in leavenworth its pretty bad when u can count on your fingers how many degrees it is outside.
December 20, 2008 9:40 PM
 

farmgirl said:

It seems the winds have gotten gustier. This cold air is rediculous.
December 20, 2008 9:51 PM
 

weatherfreak01 said:

I think I would agree with your wife Ipushsnow. We sold our hot tub because we did not enjoy being nice and warm in the water and freezing above. We don't miss it at all.

It will be interesting to see if we do have a white Christmas and how much snow we will have.
December 20, 2008 9:51 PM
 

weatherfreak01 said:

Before we know it LRCfan, we will be able to can count on one hand how many degrees it is outside.
It is a 7 whole degrees outside at the Lee's Summit airport right now.
Brrrrrr!
December 20, 2008 9:56 PM
 

Kcchamps said:

now at 2.8 in Independence
December 20, 2008 9:57 PM
 

Kcchamps said:

latest GFS is looking GOOD for a snow storm
December 20, 2008 9:59 PM
 

snoman said:

the 18z and 0z gfs have been consistant with precip totals hopefully it stays that way tomorrow.
December 20, 2008 9:59 PM
 

weatherfreak01 said:

It's days and nights like tonight and the coming days that I am glad that I am a quilter. Always an extra blanket or two laying around to curl up under. :-)
December 20, 2008 10:06 PM
 

weatherfreak01 said:

It's kind of fun looking at the NWS forecasts for So. Cal. knowing that is the stuff heading our way around Christmas. That is assuming that the fast moving fronts that Gary has talked about will originate from the West Coast.
December 20, 2008 10:12 PM
 

heavysnow said:

GFS looks good for Tuesday Night into Wednesday for our best snow of the year.  

It has backed off on Christmas Day snow from the 18z run, but it still shows snow showers.  If we can get a solid snow on Tue/Wed and get snow showers on Christmas Day that would be great.  I won't get greedy.  

NAM also showed some Snow on Tues/Wed
December 20, 2008 10:14 PM
 

KansasPatriot said:

I don't see a snow STORM on the GFS.  I see some snow though for Kansas City.
December 20, 2008 10:14 PM
 

juba said:

Currently 3 degrees here in OverlandPark! Here's a nice Winter poem I just conjured up!


Winter:
 As it's icy cold hands reach up at you from every direction. It's frozen
blue hands coming to chill you into your own eradication. It's wet, snowy breath, making it white in every direction. Is it a him or a she?
 As you reach for you pocket-book, you find it's empty. You must turn of your heat and succumb to the cold. The warm light of the fire, dancing in front of your eyes as you dose off to sleep, gone.
 But fear not yet as there is still beauty to Ol' Man Winter. Remember a white Christmas? Remember the snowman you built with your family, old frosty him? Winter is lovable and cold with it own uniqueness. A frozen wasteland it may be, but a wonderful, magnificent, work of art.

                                     ~Skylar V~
December 20, 2008 10:20 PM
 

pmccabe58 said:

Wow KansasPatriot you are a pessimist lol be quiet I want a lot of snow on christmas eve/ Christmas!
December 20, 2008 11:10 PM
 

LRCfan said:

1 degree right now from leavenworth good night I will let u know how cold it got tomorrow morning. tra and stay warm.
December 20, 2008 11:14 PM
 

jacob said:

Just got home from work...holy crap is it ever FREEZING outside!!!  Nice to see a few of you up this late for me to talk to...
December 20, 2008 11:16 PM
 

Andrew_Stafford said:

7.5 here now! Come on COLD AIR!!!   -10F please!
December 20, 2008 11:19 PM
 

pvt_murphy said:

.7 degree(s) at the fort.  only a matter of time before we are in the negatives here.
December 20, 2008 11:19 PM
 

f00dl3 said:

http://wxcaster.com/gis-gfs-snow-overlays.php3?STATIONID=EAX

If the GFS is painting the snow too far to the north again, may be good for metro. If not, may be another 1-2" snow for the metro (at worst).
December 20, 2008 11:22 PM
 

Dwxtracker said:

KansasPatriot, what do you consider to be a snow "storm" then?

David
December 20, 2008 11:23 PM
 

KansasPatriot said:

6-8 or more inches is when it becomes a real storm.  People freak out over 4, and 4 inches is nothing!  My opinion of course, but seriously.  
December 20, 2008 11:30 PM
 

KansasPatriot said:

Oh...trust me I would LOVE some big snow!
December 20, 2008 11:31 PM
 

marlina10 said:

It is a balmy 4 degrees in Mission. It's the kind of cold that takes your breath away. I think it's time to put the flannel sheets on the bed tonight.
December 20, 2008 11:33 PM
 

jacob said:

fOOdl3,

If the GFS goes a little farther south, then KC could be in for a major snow storm...
December 20, 2008 11:34 PM
 

Kcchamps said:

1.3deg in independence
December 20, 2008 11:47 PM
 

Kcchamps said:

here is the SNOWSTORM  kansas Patriot

http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/analysis/namer/gfs/00/images/gfs_ten_084l.gif
December 20, 2008 11:49 PM
 

jacob said:

This is only showing about 2-3" for the KC metro...not really a "snowSTORM"..
December 20, 2008 11:55 PM
 

KansasPatriot said:

That would be an Ohio valley snowstorm.  We will get "snow" basically.
December 21, 2008 12:44 AM
 

Dwxtracker said:

This would seem to indicate more snow than that other page is showing, this looks more like 3-5." I don't really understand how that other page came up with only 2-3."
Like Kcchamps said, looks like a "storm" to me...
http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/analysis/namer/gfs/00/images/gfs_ten_084l.gif
http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/analysis/namer/gfs/00/images/gfs_slp_084m.gif
December 21, 2008 12:45 AM
 

Ipushsnow said:

I would have to agree with Kansas Patriot anything over 5" would be a "snow storm"
Other than that you are looking at a regular "snow"
December 21, 2008 12:52 AM
 

KansasPatriot said:

I guess we will see who is right come Christmas eve!
December 21, 2008 12:53 AM
 

Ipushsnow said:

I don't think it will be any more than 1-3 at the most.
December 21, 2008 12:59 AM
 

CtinaDitty04 said:

Okay, I have been on the chat before, but now the chat won't load... Even when I sign in it gives me an error message..

Has this happened to anyone else?
December 21, 2008 12:59 AM
 

simplykristi said:

I would love to have snow for Christmas.

Kristi
December 21, 2008 2:30 AM
 

Elaine said:

A little snow would be ok, but please, not a lot, many people have to travel Christmas Eve and Day, including my elderly parents.

Jeremey/Gary, the new radar is ok, but I can't leave that page open very long anymore, something about the way it refreshes causes an error and my browser windows crash.  And, I agree with everyone else, the page in general takes a lot longer to load.

*******************

Try to send these messages to our webmaster.  He will address any problems.

Jeremy

December 21, 2008 7:34 AM
 

LRCfan said:

In Leavenworth I am down to -1 brrrrrrrrrr.
December 21, 2008 7:39 AM
 

weatherwunder said:

Good Sunday Morning, Weather Team and Bloggers!

And thanks, LRCfan, for the Leavenworth temperature reading.  The thought of going outside on such a frigid morning to read my thermometer does not sound inviting, so I really appreciate your report.  One BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR night down, and one to go!  Edna  
December 21, 2008 8:02 AM
 

juba said:

-2 for a low, now -1. I think its a snowstorm if it covers all the crass so there isn't little brown sticks poking threw the snow.
December 21, 2008 8:09 AM
 

marlina10 said:

Woke up to 3 degrees this morning in Mission. I'm glad I don't have walk the dog duty this morning! But I will have to do it this evening. I'm so glad snow is still in the forecast for Christmas Eve!
December 21, 2008 8:26 AM
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