Issued at 7:40 AM CST, Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009
Stormy weather possible next week…
The upper level pattern has the potential to shift more toward a West Coast trough/East Coast ridge configuration as we head into next week…The long range forecast models, including the last two GFS model runs…The 00z Global-GEM…And the 12z/00z ECM all show the possibility for a significant storm system to emerge out into the Midwest early next week. It’s far too early to pinpoint exact timing and a track this storm may take, but if the pattern can amplify enough with Minnesota getting out of the persistent northwest flow aloft and into a southwest flow aloft, then this storm system could ride northeast toward our area sometime during the early to mid part of next week.
This storm, if it hits our area will have the potential of producing snow, ice, or even plain old rain depending on the track, the intensity of the storm, and the temperature profile of the atmosphere. Precipitation could be heavy and be accompanied by some gusty winds as well.
Stay tuned for more updates in the coming days.
Tim
