A sudden change in seasons
From: http://brainerddispatch.com/
After an impressive snowfall in the Upper Midwest, the cooler air continues to plunge south today. Snow has already been falling in Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska this morning.
Snow totals from Northern Minnesota (check out Badger!):
NORTH DAKOTA MAX DEPTH
PEMBINA (PEMBINA CO.) 4 INCHES
LANKIN (WALSH CO.) 3 INCHES
PARK RIVER (WALSH CO.) 2 INCHES
MICHIGAN (NELSON CO.) 3.3 INCHES
GRAND FORKS (GF CO.) 3.5 INCHES
2SE MAYVILLE (TRAILL CO.) 3 INCHES
FARGO (CASS CO.) 1 INCH (VARIABLE 1-2)
MINNESOTA
HALLOCK (KITTSON CO.) 4 INCHES
KARSLSTAD (KITTSON CO.) 6 INCHES
2W BADGER (ROSEAU CO.) 12 INCHES
10NNW BADGER (ROSEAU CO.) 14 INCHES
ROSEAU (ROSEAU CO.) 7 INCHES
STEPHEN (MARSHALL CO.) 5 INCHES
MIDDLE RIVER (MARSHALL CO.) 8 INCHES (VARIABLE 4-8)
GRYGLA (MARSHALL CO.) 3 INCHES
THIEF RIVER FALLS 4 INCHES (VARIABLE 3-6)
(PENNINGTON CO.)
RED LAKE FALLS 4 INCHES
(RED LAKE CO.)
3S ANGUS (POLK CO.) 8 INCHES (VARIABLE 4-8)
3SE CROOKSTON (POLK CO.) 6 INCHES
ADA (NORMAN CO.) 4 INCHES (VARIABLE 3-4)
MOORHEAD (CLAY CO.) 1.4 INCHES (AS OF 7AM)
Not only has it been snowy, but there have been power outage issues, dropping temperatures, and wind gusts up to 40 mph. This is not that unusual for this area through at this time of the year.
From the NWS in Grand Forks: “Based on the climatological record available, measurable snow is not at all uncommon in early October. In fact, a glance through the data show that measurable snows have occurred in September.Typically, snow that falls early in the season melts off and may even be followed by a period of much milder weather. Notable early season snows in the Red River Valley and Devils Lake Basin include the October 2 1950 snowstorm and the October 7 and 8 snowstorm of 1985. Western North Dakota has seen heavy snows in mid to late September.”
Colorado and the Central Plains
Denver, CO
From: http://kwgn.com/2012/10/05/snow-hits-denver-two-weeks-earlier-than-usual-2/
A dusting of snow this morning in Erie, CO.
Photo: Dr. Etherton
The cold front progresses east bringing dramatic temperature changes to the Eastern US. High pressure settles in to the north, leaving temperatures well below average but bringing in sunnier weather for the weekend.
Temperatures this morning behind this front are 15 to 20 degrees cooler compared to yesterday morning.
Highs only in the 50s as far south as Oklahoma.
Additional snowfall of more than 4 inches expected in the Rockies and even extending in the plains in Nebraska and Kansas.
Another concern with this system will be the even colder air in place overnight. Overnight lows bottom out in the 30s or lower in all of the blue shaded areas.
This will be the coldest weather that has impacted these areas so far this season. These freezing conditions could persist long enough to mean that the growing season will officially end in spots.
Bundle up!
Gretchen Mishek