The northern storm swirls southeastward from the upper Mississippi Valley today to the lower Ohio Valley Tuesday. Light to occasionally moderate snow moves along with the storm [...]]]>

Travel troubles and disruptions to daily routines will arise today from a snowstorm across the Midwest, as well as from blowing and drifting snow over the Plains. The winds whipping the snow across the Plains is making the air feel dangerously cold.

The most substantial snow will continue to press across the lower Great Lakes and [...]]]>

Travel troubles and disruptions to daily routines will arise today from a snowstorm across the Midwest, as well as from blowing and drifting snow over the Plains. The winds whipping the snow across the Plains is making the air feel dangerously cold.

The most substantial snow will continue to press across the lower Great Lakes and Ohio Valley today into tonight. This includes Madison, Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

Accumulating snow is also in store for the Tennessee Valley, North Carolina and the Northeast through Friday. The East Regional News story has more information.

The snow across the Midwest is powdery in nature. Residents should not have difficulty shoveling, but slow commutes and flight delays can be expected. Some activities may get cancelled or postponed.

Most of the storm’s snow has already fallen across the northern and central Plains, where biting winds have begun to howl. The winds, gusting to 40 mph at times, will have no trouble whipping around the powdery snow.

Travel will remain treacherous as blowing snow drops visibility down to near zero. Drifting snow will further clog roadways.

Be sure to pack a winter survival kit if you are planning to travel across the Plains and Midwest. If your vehicle becomes stuck, the brutal cold following the snowstorm could put you in a life-threatening situation.

The combination of the wind and bitter cold will create AccuWeather.com RealFeel® temperatures of 20 to 40 below zero across the northern and central Plains today.

A blizzard will continue to create extremely treacherous travel and cause significant disruptions to daily routines across the Upper Midwest today. The storm is leading to multi-hour flight delays in Minneapolis.

Some arriving flights into the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport are currently being delayed up to 3 hours. While light snow is falling, winds gusting past [...]]]>

A blizzard will continue to create extremely treacherous travel and cause significant disruptions to daily routines across the Upper Midwest today. The storm is leading to multi-hour flight delays in Minneapolis.

Some arriving flights into the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport are currently being delayed up to 3 hours. While light snow is falling, winds gusting past 35 mph is blowing snow across Minneapolis.

The city’s airport measured 4.7 inches of snow, as of 1 a.m. CST this morning.

Blowing and drifting snow, as well as falling snow will create travel nightmares throughout the Upper Midwest today.

Steady snow currently extends from eastern Iowa and southeastern Minnesota to northern Michigan and central Ontario. Lighter snow is flying over surrounding areas.

The steady snow will gradually taper off today. Conditions, however, will not improve. Winds gusting between 50 and 60 mph will continue to significantly blow and drift the snow several hours after it stops falling.

Cities subject to the blowing and drifting snow include Omaha, Des Moines and La Crosse, Wis.

As the winds whip the snow around, crews will struggle to keep roadways clear. Any motorists that must travel will be subject to dangerous whiteouts, and could become stranded.

Officials are currently advising motorists not to travel on Interstates 29, 35 and 80 through Iowa. A similar statement could be made to travelers across neighboring states and Michigan.

If you must travel, be sure to pack a winter survival kit that includes blankets and warm clothing.

AccuWeather.com RealFeel® temperatures are currently below minus 20° throughout the northern Plains, and will not rise today. Cold of this magnitude could cause frostbite to develop in less than 30 minutes on exposed skin.

Read the Next Story

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) – A fierce storm moving across the Midwest has dumped up to 8 inches of snow on parts of Michigan and knocked out power to at least 25,000 homes and businesses.

But meteorologist John Kowaleski of the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids [...]]]> Associated Press – December 9, 2009 9:14 AM ET

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) – A fierce storm moving across the Midwest has dumped up to 8 inches of snow on parts of Michigan and knocked out power to at least 25,000 homes and businesses.

But meteorologist John Kowaleski of the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids said Wednesday “the worst is yet to come.” He says 6 to 8 inches more are expected in southwestern lower Michigan, with 50 mph wind gusts.

A blizzard warning for southwestern lower Michigan runs Wednesday afternoon through Thursday.

In the northern Lower Peninsula, the weather service says 8 inches has fallen in Charlevoix, Grand Traverse, Leelanau and Missaukee counties.

CMS Energy Corp. says about 25,000 customers were blacked out at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, many along Lake Huron.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

“I’m pretty excited,” said Andy Johnson of Eau Claire. “If it’s going to be cold, we might as well have snow.”

// Snowmobilers are getting excited about all this snow too. After all, their season technically [...]]]> Now that snow is piling up outside, it won’t be long before athletes are back outside doing things like skiing.

“I’m pretty excited,” said Andy Johnson of Eau Claire. “If it’s going to be cold, we might as well have snow.”

Snowmobilers are getting excited about all this snow too. After all, their season technically started back on December 1. The problem is that snowmobile trails tend to go through a lot of farmland where a lot of corn has yet to be harvested.

“We’re marking trails now as best we can, until we hit a cornfield, then we gotta stop,” said Eau Claire County Snowmobile Association President Jerry Vetterkind.

It means the only snowmobiling he will be doing for a while is around his backyard.

Vetterkind says he’s talked to farmers, and found that the cold weather won’t affect corn drying even though the snow might.

He also says being a good neighbor means letting farmers get their work done.

“We still gotta respect their property too that we can’t go through their cornfields until they got em’ picked, and they’re hurrying up because they don’t want to be in the snow drifts as anybody else.”

Vetterkind says when that will be is anybody’s guess.

“When it’s time to go, we’ll be ready,” he said.

For now it will be other people taking center stage on a new blanket of snow.

“I’ve got a couple small children so playing out in the snow will be fun,” Johnson said.

That is, until snowmobilers can reap the benefits of the hard work of volunteers and farmers,and the snow they’ll find right outside.

The UP is in the cross hairs for a nice cold front [...]]]> The snowmobile trails are officially open as of today in Marquette County as well as the rest of the State of Michigan though the lack of snow has caused most to keep their sleds packed up in their garage. That will soon change (hopefully)!

The UP is in the cross hairs for a nice cold front set to blow into the air tonight into tomorrow. The cold arctic air will move across the “warm” waters of Lake Superior causing a significant accumulation of lake effect snow.

...SIGNIFICANT LAKE EFFECT SNOWS POSSIBLE NEAR LAKE SUPERIOR
WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING...
LOW PRESSURE CURRENTLY OVER MINNESOTA WILL MOVE ACROSS UPPER
MICHIGAN TONIGHT...THEN MERGE WITH DEVELOPING LOW PRESSURE OVER
THE OHIO VALLEY ON WEDNESDAY. BEHIND THE LOW...WINDS WILL TURN
NORTH AND NORTHWEST...ALLOWING COLDER AIR TO MOVE ACROSS THE
RELATIVELY WARM WATERS OF LAKE SUPERIOR. THIS SETUP WILL LIKELY
LEAD TO THE FIRST SIGNIFICANT LAKE EFFECT SNOWS OF THE SEASON FOR
AREAS NEAR LAKE SUPERIOR. CURRENT DATA SUGGESTS THAT AREAS FAVORED
BY A NORTHERLY WIND DIRECTION...SUCH AS INLAND NORTH CENTRAL UPPER
MICHIGAN AS WELL AS AREAS NEAR IRONWOOD...WILL SEE ACCUMULATING
SNOW WEDNESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY MORNING. AS THE WINDS TURN
NORTHWESTERLY THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING...ALL OF WESTERN
UPPER MICHIGAN FROM IRONWOOD TO THE KEWEENAW PENINSULA COULD SEE
MODERATE LAKE EFFECT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS.
WIDESPREAD LAKE EFFECT SNOW IS ALSO ANTICIPATED TO FALL ACROSS
LAKE EFFECT SNOW BELTS EAST OF MARQUETTE FAVORED BY A NORTHWEST WIND.
HOWEVER...THE LATEST INFORMATION SUGGESTS THIS SNOW WILL NOT BE AS
HEAVY AS PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT AS WINDS QUICKLY SHIFT TO THE WEST ON
THURSDAY NIGHT...SHIFTING THE HEAVIER SNOW OVER LAKE SUPERIOR.
LISTEN TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL MEDIA FOR UPDATES ON
THIS SITUATION.

Cold, Snow Will Focus on Great Lakes for Big Travel Wednesday

Colder air will sweep into the eastern part of the nation and will trigger snow around the Great Lakes for the busiest travel travel day of the year.

Colder air, more appropriate for late November, will first roll into the northern Plains then will sweep into [...]]]>

Cold, Snow Will Focus on Great Lakes for Big Travel Wednesday

Colder air will sweep into the eastern part of the nation and will trigger snow around the Great Lakes for the busiest travel travel day of the year.

Colder air, more appropriate for late November, will first roll into the northern Plains then will sweep into the East and South next week.

For many people, it will mean winter coat weather instead of a light jacket or sweatshirt.

Cold air passing over the warm waters of the Great Lakes will cause narrow, shifting bands of heavy snow to set up downwind, known as lake-effect snow.

The lake-effect snow will ramp up Tuesday night and Wednesday over the western and central Great Lakes.

The snow will then spread into the eastern Great Lakes and the central and northern Appalachians Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday.

Enough snow will fall to shovel, plow and slow travel in isolated areas, typical of lake-effect snow events.

Prior to the start of the lake-effect event, steady snow could slow travel along parts of Interstates 80 and 90 over the northern Plains on Tuesday.

Fortunately, snow should not be a problem around Chicago or Detroit as most of the time these cities manage to avoid lake-effect snow. Both cities may have a couple of passing snow showers Wednesday and Thanksgiving Day.

The Thanksgiving week cold push could be a precursor to what lies ahead for December.

After in-and-out cold air during the end of November, winter cold may lock and load in December.

AccuWeather.com Long Range Expert Joe Bastardi is expecting a colder-than-average December for the eastern two-thirds of the nation.

Many snowmobilers [...]]]> By and large, the leaves have changed colors and dropped to the ground. We’re greeted in the mornings with a blast of cold air in our lungs and shiver down our spine. There’s a layer of frost on the car and icy puddles. Yes my friends — snowmobile season is nearly upon us.

Many snowmobilers have been living the past few weeks in their garages, polishing their rides, planning trips and visiting local dealerships, checking out all the new accessories they can add to their sleds. For those who have yet to purchase their new snowmobiles, the deals are plenty as all four manufacturers have excellent incentives. If you haven’t already got your sled all figured out, now’s the time.

So with the new season nearly upon us, there are few things to remember and live by. Safety issues are always at the top of everyone’s minds, but often get overlooked due to the sheer fun and excitement of hitting the trails.

The one thing we have to remember about snowmobile-related accidents is that they’re all preventable. With the proper preparation and the use of common sense, we could get through the winter without incidents. The main causes of accidents are night riding, unmarked ice crossings, alcohol and a combination of all three.

Before heading out, I always do my own safety check. By looking at the garage floor or the snow around the snowmobile you can quickly see if there are any fuel or oil leaks. Starting off your ride gently and not right to the handlebar will let you know if your throttle is sticking, and a quick stop ensures the brake’s in operating order.

The one thing that all riders should be aware of before heading out on a ride is the weather. It takes a few minutes on the internet or in front of the television. If the region’s in for a storm, don’t head out. White-outs are not something that only affects cars. And should you be on a lake in a storm, it can be an outright terrifying experience. So make sure you stay on top of the weather reports before riding.

Something else to watch for, especially if you’re in an unfamiliar area, is stay on marked trails. Hopping on unmarked trails can lead you in circles, which could leave you in the middle of nowhere running on fumes, or worse, out of fuel.

Lake or river crossings should always be done on marked trails. Club folks know the area and if they’re not venturing on the ice, neither should you.

So while we have some time before there’s enough snow to ride, let’s think of things you should bring with you. All new sleds come with a tool kit, but sometimes they go missing. Always make sure one’s in your storage compartment. One of the simplest, smallest things you’ll need is a pocket knife. It’s amazing how many times you’ll use it.

A tow rope should be with you in the event the sled is inoperable. Extra spark plugs are a good idea, and never, ever leave without an extra belt. (Been there, done that, never again!)

Let’s make this season the best one yet with the most miles ridden and the fewest incidents on the trails.

As millions of Americans hit the highways and skies next week for Thanksgiving, colder air will be sweeping into the eastern part of the nation and will cause an area of travel troubles around the Great Lakes.

The Thanksgiving week cold push could be a precursor to what lies ahead for December.

Colder air, more appropriate for [...]]]>

As millions of Americans hit the highways and skies next week for Thanksgiving, colder air will be sweeping into the eastern part of the nation and will cause an area of travel troubles around the Great Lakes.

The Thanksgiving week cold push could be a precursor to what lies ahead for December.

Colder air, more appropriate for late November, will first roll into the northern Plains and then will sweep into the East and South.

The push of colder air will have shock value in that it would follow what has been an unusually warm first half of November for much of the nation.

For many people, it will mean winter coat weather instead of a light jacket or sweatshirt.

The arrival of the cold air around the Great Lakes will cause a lake-effect snow event. Hence, our award for the worst weather next week.

The lake-effect event will be ramping up Wednesday over the central Great Lakes and will spread to the eastern Great Lakes and into the northern Appalachians Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday.

Enough snow will fall to shovel, plow and slow travel in isolated areas, typical of lake-effect snow events.

AccuWeather.com Long Range Expert Joe Bastardi is expecting a colder-than-average December for the eastern two-thirds of the nation.

After in-and-out cold air into the first week of December, winter cold may lock and load beginning during the second week of the month.