WREX.com - Rockford's News Leader - 13 Weather Authority Blog

Update 12:15pm = As expected, this snowmaker is done for the most part. I just stepped outside and measured 2.9" of snow here at the station. For the remainder of the day, our focus will turn to some screaming west winds. We've already seen some winds gust up to 35 mph. Blowing and drifting snow may be a bit of a problem and visibilities will be reduced in open areas. These winds are bringing in a polar airmass just in time for Santa's arrival. Notice the current temperatures at the noon hour. Some spots are holding in the low 30s, but towns along the Mississippi River have already dove into the teens. By the time reindeer are walking on your rooftop, we'll be in the single digits with mostly starry skies. Sounds like optimal conditions for Santa!

(10:57:23 AM) iembot: DVN: Freeport [Stephenson Co, IL] trained spotter reports SNOW of M3.5 INCH at 10:56 AM CST -- still snowing.

(10:21:38 AM) iembot: MKX: 2 Nw East Troy [Walworth Co, WI] trained spotter reports SNOW of M3.0 INCH at 10:13 AM CST -- majority of the new snow fell between 6 am and 930 am. light snow still falling.

(10:01:47 AM) iembot: DVN: 4 NW Lanark [Carroll Co, IL] trained spotter reports SNOW of M3.2 INCH at 10:00 AM CST -- still snowing

Update 9:45am = The snow's intensity is starting to weaken slightly. There is still a pretty good batch of snow out towards the Mississippi River that will move through in the next hour or two. The snow still appears to end at its scheduled time. I'm cozy in the weather center with Christmas music from B103 playing in the background...

(9:22:12 AM) iembot: LOT: Rockford Airport [Winnebago Co, IL] official nws obs reports SNOW of M1.4 INCH at 09:20 AM CST -- new snowfall from 6 am to 9 am.

Original Post = To today's road trippers, I suggest you wait until this afternoon to take off. Snow is completely covering the viewing area this morning. Most roadways are snowpacked and will stay that way through lunchtime. An unexpected hazard early on is some fog that is dropping visibilities below a mile in many locations. The snow machine should shut off between 12pm & 1pm. There won't be anymore snow coming from the cloud base this afternoon, but we will still see some blowing snow as westerly winds get cranking up to 30 mph. Road conditions will slowly improve this afternoon. If you are someone who hates driving in any kind of wintry weather, you may want to wait to head out until dinnertime. Delays on the roads should be minimal by that time.

As for the snowfall totals, I am keeping with my prediction from yesterday. Precipitation totals for this morning mess will probably only amount to 0.10 - 0.15" of liquid. Therefore, I am still expecting between 2-4" of snow to accumulate between 6am and noon. The winter storm warning that was out for portions of the viewing area last night has been downgraded to a winter weather advisory... and rightly so. -ADAM