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Heat in the Central U.S.; Heavy Rain Possible for South Texas; Monitoring Erin Tropical Impacts

Hot temperatures are forecast over the Plains and into the lower Mississippi River Valley Friday where Heat Advisories have been issued. Heavy rain from a disturbance in the western Gulf could bring flooding to south Texas. Erin could bring tropical storm conditions and heavy rain to Puerto Rico and the USVI this weekend with dangerous surf and rip currents impacting the western Atlantic Basin. Read More >

Overview

A quick moving, but potent early spring system brought a narrow band of heavy snow to portions of eastern Iowa, northern Illinois, and southern Wisconsin late Thursday night into early Friday afternoon (3/22/2024). A narrow band of 4 - 8"+ of snow fell roughly along and north of the Highway 30 corridor, with the highest axis from near Cedar Rapids to Savanna, IL to Freeport, IL.  

This system was accompanied by very strong "lift" along a tight temperature gradient, and when combined with an unstable air mass, resulted in bands of very heavy snowfall. In fact, the atmosphere was unstable enough to produce lightning and thunder with several reports early Friday morning near and southwest of Cedar Rapids, not too uncommon for late winter or early spring systems! "Thundersnow" is typically associated with higher snowfall rates of 1 - 2"+ per hour and can lead to impressive totals in a short amount of time.

The heaviest snow reduced visibilities to under 1/4 of a mile and quickly led to snow covered and slippery roads, despite mild antecedent conditions with ground temperatures well above freezing.  

NWS Official Totals

Dubuque Airport: 3.4"
Davenport NWS: 0.5"
Moline Airport: 0.1" 

Notable (Non-NWS) Totals

6 SSE Elmoville, IL (Carroll County): 9.3" (CoCoRaHS)
4 SE Loran, IL: 8.5" (Public)
Pearl City, IL: 8.5" (Public)
Shannon, IL: 8.0" (Public)
2 NW Alburnett, IA: 8.0" (Public)
2 WNW Freeport, IL: 7.8" (Trained Spotter)

 

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WPC Sea Level Pressure/Fronts/Radar Loop

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Visible Satellite 03/23/2024
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