Severe Thunderstorms in the Central Plains and Lower Missouri Valley; Heat Continues in the Southeast and Southwest

Severe thunderstorms capable of large hail and damaging wind gusts are forecast to impact the central Plains into the Lower Missouri Valley through this afternoon. Dangerous heat persists across the southern Plains, Southeast U.S. and Puerto Rico this week, and will return to the Southwest today. Read More >

The image below is a 1000m resolution, "true color" image from the MODIS satellite valid today - 1 February 2012. A couple interesting features noted on the image are described below:

Areas in "brown" are predominantly void of snow. As such - a vast majority of South Dakota is completely snow free! Obviously, this is quite rare for the 1st of February.
The "brown ground" is able to absorb much more solar energy, which allows temperatures to warm. This is a major reason why temperatures have remained above normal.
Residual areas of snowcover (white) are confined to the Black Hills region in western South Dakota and the Glacial Lakes region in northeastern South Dakota.
A large section of Lake Oahe north of Pierre is free of ice (dark blue color). Again, very rare for early February.

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Severe Thunderstorms in the Central Plains and Lower Missouri Valley; Heat Continues in the Southeast and Southwest

Image of the Day - Satellite Image of a Snow Free South Dakota