What Spring? Winter Storm Dump Snow on Millions From the Dakotas to the Great Lakes
April 27, 2019
Winter Storm Xyler will spread snow and colder temperatures from the northern Rockies into the northern Plains and Great Lakes.
Via weather.com:
- Winter Storm Xyler will spread snow to the southern Great Lakes Saturday.
- Some areas will also see snow into next week.
- Below-average temperatures are expected from the Rockies into the Great Lakes region.
Not only are parts of the Midwest expecting snow this weekend - but also unseasonably cold temperatures. Some of these forecast lows Saturday night in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Minnesota will be near or below record levels for the day.https://t.co/VyWINDk3xP for more. pic.twitter.com/xf7rswvEGX
— National Weather Service (@NWS) April 26, 2019
It may be late April, but Winter Storm Xyler will make you forget that it is spring in the Midwest this weekend as it is expected to bring some unusually heavy late season snowfall.
Snow, yes, that white stuff that we'd all rather forget about this time of the year, is on the way from the Dakotas to upstate New York. In some areas this could be one of the heaviest snowfalls so late in the season.
Cooler temperatures are also on the way from the northern Rockies into the northern Plains and Great Lakes as a pattern change will usher in another round of below-average temperatures.
Happening Now
Snow is falling in parts of the eastern South Dakota, southern Minnesota, northern Iowa, western Wisconsin and northern Illinois as of late Saturday morning. Rain and snow will continue sliding eastward into Saturday afternoon.
Heavy snowfall has resulted in snow covered roads and slippery travel in eastern South Dakota and southwestern Minnesota early Saturday. Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has measured 1.5 inches of snow and 2.7 inches was reported near Brookings, South Dakota.
Thundersnow was even observed with some of the heavier snowfall early Saturday in southeastern South Dakota and northern Iowa.
Thunder snow on April 27th in Sioux Falls!! Sorry Mr. Finch! #xyler #sdwx pic.twitter.com/ynS183FR9i
— Matthew Dux (@MatthewDux) April 27, 2019
Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories have been posted by the National Weather Service from southeastern Minnesota and northern Iowa into southern Michigan. Chicago and Madison, Wisconsin are included in the winter storm warning.
A band of heavy snow will likely lead to difficult travel conditions, especially in the winter storm warning area.
Motorists should travel with a winter survival kit in the event their vehicle breaks down and are then forced to wait for help. Carrying extra blankets, food, water, flashlight, first aid kit, and cell phone charger are highly recommended.
Winter Storm Xyler was named late Friday afternoon when winter storm warnings were issued for southern Minnesota and southern Wisconsin, including the Milwaukee and Madison metro areas. These warnings met our criteria for winter storm naming, which are at least two million people located in winter storm warnings.
Another system will move into parts of the northern Rockies and northern Plains later Saturday into Sunday. Blizzard warnings have been issued for parts of Montana, including Great Falls, where snow combined with wind gusts up to 55 mph may lead to very poor visibility.
Snowy Forecast
Temperatures near freezing, combined with a rather energetic Winter Storm Xyler could produce a stripe of snow from Montana to the eastern Great Lakes.
A mix of rain and snow will slide eastward Saturday from the Dakotas into southern Minnesota, northern Iowa, southern Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan Saturday.
(MAPS: Weekly Planner)
On Saturday night the chance for snow will extend from northern Illinois into northern Indiana, southern Michigan, northern Ohio, northern Pennsylvania and southwestern New York.
- Blue Monster Prep
