Alert archive / Iowa / Winter Storm Warnings in 2009

Winter Storm Warning 2, NWS La Crosse, WI

February 20, 2009Grant County, Wisconsin; Clayton County, Fayette County, Iowa

NWS La Crosse, WI issued this winter storm warning at Feb 20, 2009, 3:34 PM CST for Grant County, Wisconsin; Clayton County, Fayette County, Iowa. It took effect at Feb 20, 2009, 6:00 PM CST. It was in force for 10 hr. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Feb 20, 2009, 3:34 PM CST (21:34 UTC)
In effect from
Feb 20, 2009, 6:00 PM CST
Expired
Feb 21, 2009, 4:09 AM CST
In force
10 hr
Issued by
NWS La Crosse, WI

Counties Clayton County, IA, Fayette County, IA, Grant County, WI

The radar

The La Crosse radar (KARX), 108 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:37 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Feb 21, 2:42 AM CSTSNOW 3West Union, IA
Feb 21, 2:48 AM CSTSNOW 1Elkader, IA

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Davenport, (KDVN), launched 12:00Z, 9.6 hours before the alert went out and 153 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Davenport, at 12:00Z on 2009-02-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Davenport, at 12:00Z on 2009-02-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 63 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
1332 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
52 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
63 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
112 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

000 
WWUS43 KARX 202134
WSWARX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
334 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

...ACCUMULATING SNOW FOR THE AREA TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING...

.A VIGOROUS STORM SYSTEM NOW OVER THE NORTHERN PLAINS WILL PUSH
INTO IOWA THIS EVENING AND THEN INTO NORTHERN ILLINOIS LATE
TONIGHT. SNOW WAS ALREADY FALLING ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA.
THIS SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO SPREAD SOUTHEAST INTO SOUTHEAST
MINNESOTA LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF THE
REGION THIS EVENING. THE SNOW WILL BE MODERATE TO HEAVY AT TIMES
ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA...NORTHEAST IOWA AND
SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN TONIGHT. THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS EXPECTED TO FALL
GENERALLY SOUTH OF A WEST UNION IOWA...TO BOSCOBEL WISCONSIN
LINE...WHERE 5 TO 7 INCHES OF SNOW IS LIKELY...WITH LESSER AMOUNTS
OF 3 TO 6 INCHES NORTH OF THIS LINE. THIS SNOW WILL TAPER OFF
SATURDAY MORNING.

IAZ029-030-WIZ061-210545-
/O.UPG.KARX.WW.Y.0006.090221T0000Z-090221T1800Z/
/O.NEW.KARX.WS.W.0002.090221T0000Z-090221T1800Z/
FAYETTE-CLAYTON-GRANT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...OELWEIN...PLATTEVILLE
334 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST SATURDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LA CROSSE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
UNTIL NOON CST SATURDAY. THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NO LONGER
IN EFFECT. 

SNOW WILL DEVELOP AND SPREAD ACROSS THE AREA THIS EVENING. THE
SNOW WILL BE MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY AT TIMES TONIGHT THEN TAPER
OFF SATURDAY MORNING. SNOW AMOUNTS OF 5 TO 7 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE
THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. NORTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE LATE
TONIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING AS THE LOW PULLS AWAY. THESE WINDS
WILL CREATE SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE NEW SNOW IN OPEN
COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE RIDGE TOPS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND
WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

&&

$$

MNZ079-WIZ041>044-210545-
/O.EXA.KARX.WW.Y.0006.090221T0000Z-090221T1800Z/
WABASHA-LA CROSSE-MONROE-JUNEAU-ADAMS-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...LA CROSSE...SPARTA/TOMAH...MAUSTON
334 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST SATURDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LA CROSSE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
SATURDAY.

SNOW WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE AREA THIS EVENING. THE SNOW WILL BE
MODERATE AT TIMES TONIGHT THEN TAPER OFF SATURDAY MORNING. SNOW
AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 5 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING.
NORTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE LATE TONIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING AS
THE LOW PULLS AWAY. THESE WINDS WILL CREATE SOME BLOWING AND
DRIFTING OF THE NEW SNOW IN OPEN COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE RIDGE
TOPS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

IAZ008>011-018-019-MNZ086>088-094>096-WIZ053>055-210545-
/O.CON.KARX.WW.Y.0006.090221T0000Z-090221T1800Z/
MITCHELL-HOWARD-WINNESHIEK-ALLAMAKEE-FLOYD-CHICKASAW-DODGE-
OLMSTED-WINONA-MOWER-FILLMORE-HOUSTON-VERNON-CRAWFORD-RICHLAND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...DECORAH...WAUKON...CHARLES CITY...
ROCHESTER...WINONA...AUSTIN...VIROQUA...PRAIRIE DU CHIEN...
RICHLAND CENTER
334 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
SATURDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
SATURDAY. 

SNOW WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE AREA LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY
THIS EVENING. THE SNOW WILL BE MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY AT TIMES
TONIGHT THEN TAPER OFF SATURDAY MORNING. SNOW AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 6
INCHES ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. NORTHWEST WINDS WILL
INCREASE LATE TONIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING AS THE LOW PULLS AWAY.
THESE WINDS WILL CREATE SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE NEW SNOW
IN OPEN COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE RIDGE TOPS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

RABERDING

WEATHER.GOV/LACROSSE
6 follow-up statements
000 
WWUS43 KARX 202350
WSWARX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
550 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

...ACCUMULATING SNOW FOR THE AREA TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING...

.A VIGOROUS STORM SYSTEM WILL PUSH FROM THE NORTHERN PLAINS INTO
IOWA THIS EVENING AND THEN INTO NORTHERN ILLINOIS LATE TONIGHT.
THIS SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BRING MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW AT TIMES
ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA...NORTHEAST IOWA AND
SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN TONIGHT. THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS EXPECTED TO FALL
GENERALLY SOUTH OF A WEST UNION IOWA...TO BOSCOBEL WISCONSIN
LINE...WHERE 5 TO 7 INCHES OF SNOW IS LIKELY...WITH LESSER AMOUNTS
OF 3 TO 6 INCHES NORTH OF THIS LINE. THIS SNOW WILL TAPER OFF
SATURDAY MORNING...BUT GUSTY NORTHERLY WINDS SHOULD CAUSE BLOWING
AND DRIFTING.

IAZ029-030-WIZ061-210800-
/O.CON.KARX.WS.W.0002.090221T0000Z-090221T1800Z/
FAYETTE-CLAYTON-GRANT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...OELWEIN...PLATTEVILLE
550 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
SATURDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST SATURDAY.

SNOW WILL DEVELOP AND SPREAD ACROSS THE AREA THIS EVENING...WITH
VISIBILITY DROPPING STEADILY ONCE THE SNOW BEGINS. SNOW WILL BE
MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY AT TIMES TONIGHT THEN TAPER OFF SATURDAY
MORNING. SNOW AMOUNTS OF 5 TO 7 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH
SATURDAY MORNING. NORTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE LATE TONIGHT AND
SATURDAY MORNING AS THE LOW PULLS AWAY. THESE WINDS WILL CREATE
SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE NEW SNOW IN OPEN COUNTRY AND
ACROSS THE RIDGE TOPS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...
AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

&&

$$

IAZ008>011-018-019-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ041>044-053>055-
210800-
/O.CON.KARX.WW.Y.0006.090221T0000Z-090221T1800Z/
MITCHELL-HOWARD-WINNESHIEK-ALLAMAKEE-FLOYD-CHICKASAW-WABASHA-
DODGE-OLMSTED-WINONA-MOWER-FILLMORE-HOUSTON-LA CROSSE-MONROE-
JUNEAU-ADAMS-VERNON-CRAWFORD-RICHLAND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...DECORAH...WAUKON...CHARLES CITY...
ROCHESTER...WINONA...AUSTIN...LA CROSSE...SPARTA/TOMAH...
MAUSTON...VIROQUA...PRAIRIE DU CHIEN...RICHLAND CENTER
550 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
SATURDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
SATURDAY. 

SNOW WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE AREA DURING THE EVENING...WITH
VISIBILITY DROPPING STEADILY ONCE THE SNOW BEGINS. SNOW WILL BE
MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY AT TIMES TONIGHT THEN TAPER OFF SATURDAY
MORNING. SNOW AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH
SATURDAY MORNING. NORTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE LATE TONIGHT AND
SATURDAY MORNING AS THE LOW PULLS AWAY. THESE WINDS WILL CREATE
SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE NEW SNOW IN OPEN COUNTRY AND
ACROSS THE RIDGE TOPS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

THOMPSON

WEATHER.GOV/LACROSSE
000 
WWUS43 KARX 210156
WSWARX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
756 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

...ACCUMULATING SNOW FOR THE AREA TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING...

.A VIGOROUS STORM SYSTEM WILL PUSH FROM THE NORTHERN PLAINS INTO
IOWA THIS EVENING AND THEN INTO NORTHERN ILLINOIS LATE TONIGHT.
THIS SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BRING MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW AT TIMES
ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA...NORTHEAST IOWA AND
SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN TONIGHT. THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS EXPECTED TO
FALL GENERALLY SOUTH OF A WEST UNION IOWA...TO BOSCOBEL WISCONSIN
LINE...WHERE 5 TO 7 INCHES OF SNOW IS LIKELY...WITH LESSER
AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES NORTH OF THIS LINE. THIS SNOW WILL TAPER
OFF SATURDAY MORNING...BUT GUSTY NORTHERLY WINDS SHOULD CAUSE
BLOWING AND DRIFTING.

IAZ029-030-WIZ061-211000-
/O.CON.KARX.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090221T1800Z/
FAYETTE-CLAYTON-GRANT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...OELWEIN...PLATTEVILLE
756 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
SATURDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST SATURDAY.

SNOW IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE SPREADING FROM NORTHEAST IOWA INTO
SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN THIS EVENING...CROSSING THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
BETWEEN 8 PM AND 10 PM. HEAVIER SNOW WITH SNOWFALL RATES UP TO AN
INCH PER HOUR ARE EXPECTED FROM DECORAH AND WEST UNION IOWA AREAS...
TOWARD WAUKON AND ELKADER IOWA. THIS HEAVIER SNOWFALL SHOULD AFFECT
PARTS OF SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN...MAINLY BY ABOUT 10 PM AND THEREAFTER.

SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO BE MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY AT TIMES
TONIGHT THEN TAPER OFF SATURDAY MORNING. SNOW AMOUNTS OF 5 TO 7
INCHES ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. NORTHWEST WINDS WILL
INCREASE LATE TONIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING AS THE LOW PULLS AWAY.
THESE WINDS WILL CREATE SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE NEW SNOW
IN OPEN COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE RIDGE TOPS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...
AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

&&

$$

IAZ008>011-018-019-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ041>044-053>055-
211000-
/O.CON.KARX.WW.Y.0006.000000T0000Z-090221T1800Z/
MITCHELL-HOWARD-WINNESHIEK-ALLAMAKEE-FLOYD-CHICKASAW-WABASHA-
DODGE-OLMSTED-WINONA-MOWER-FILLMORE-HOUSTON-LA CROSSE-MONROE-
JUNEAU-ADAMS-VERNON-CRAWFORD-RICHLAND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...DECORAH...WAUKON...CHARLES CITY...
ROCHESTER...WINONA...AUSTIN...LA CROSSE...SPARTA/TOMAH...
MAUSTON...VIROQUA...PRAIRIE DU CHIEN...RICHLAND CENTER
756 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
SATURDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
SATURDAY. 

SNOW WILL CONTINUE SPREADING FROM SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA AND
NORTHEAST IOWA INTO WESTERN WISCONSIN THIS EVENING...REACHING
CENTRAL WISCONSIN AND THE INTERSTATE 94 CORRIDOR BETWEEN 8 PM AND
10 PM. VISIBILITY SHOULD DROP STEADILY ONCE THE SNOW BEGINS.

SNOW WILL BE MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY AT TIMES TONIGHT THEN
TAPER OFF SATURDAY MORNING. SNOW AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE
POSSIBLE THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. NORTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE
LATE TONIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING AS THE LOW PULLS AWAY. THESE
WINDS WILL CREATE SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE NEW SNOW IN
OPEN COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE RIDGE TOPS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

THOMPSON

WEATHER.GOV/LACROSSE
000 
WWUS43 KARX 210348
WSWARX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
948 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

...ACCUMULATING SNOW FOR THE AREA TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING...

.A VIGOROUS STORM SYSTEM WILL PUSH ACROSS IOWA AND INTO NORTHERN
ILLINOIS TONIGHT. THIS SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BRING MODERATE TO
HEAVY SNOW AT TIMES ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA...
NORTHEAST IOWA AND SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN TONIGHT. THE HEAVIEST SNOW
IS EXPECTED TO FALL GENERALLY SOUTH OF A WEST UNION IOWA...TO
BOSCOBEL WISCONSIN LINE...WHERE 5 TO 7 INCHES OF SNOW IS LIKELY...
WITH LESSER AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES NORTH OF THIS LINE. THIS SNOW
WILL TAPER OFF SATURDAY MORNING...BUT GUSTY NORTHERLY WINDS SHOULD
CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING.

IAZ029-030-WIZ061-211200-
/O.CON.KARX.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090221T1800Z/
FAYETTE-CLAYTON-GRANT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...OELWEIN...PLATTEVILLE
948 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
SATURDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST SATURDAY.

SNOW WILL CONTINUE SPREADING FROM NORTHEAST IOWA INTO SOUTHWEST
WISCONSIN THIS EVENING. SNOWFALL RATES POSSIBLY UP TO AN INCH PER
HOUR COULD OCCUR FROM AROUND OELWEIN AND ELKADER IOWA...TOWARD
THE WISCONSIN RIVER AREA AND POINTS SOUTHWARD ACROSS SOUTHWEST
WISCONSIN. VISIBILITY WILL BE POOR IN THESE LOCATIONS...GENERALLY
AROUND A MILE.

SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO BE MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY AT TIMES
TONIGHT THEN TAPER OFF SATURDAY MORNING. SNOW AMOUNTS OF 5 TO
7 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. NORTHWEST WINDS
WILL INCREASE LATE TONIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING AS THE LOW PULLS
AWAY. THESE WINDS WILL CREATE SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE
NEW SNOW IN OPEN COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE RIDGE TOPS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...
AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

&&

$$

IAZ008>011-018-019-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ041>044-053>055-
211200-
/O.CON.KARX.WW.Y.0006.000000T0000Z-090221T1800Z/
MITCHELL-HOWARD-WINNESHIEK-ALLAMAKEE-FLOYD-CHICKASAW-WABASHA-
DODGE-OLMSTED-WINONA-MOWER-FILLMORE-HOUSTON-LA CROSSE-MONROE-
JUNEAU-ADAMS-VERNON-CRAWFORD-RICHLAND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...DECORAH...WAUKON...CHARLES CITY...
ROCHESTER...WINONA...AUSTIN...LA CROSSE...SPARTA/TOMAH...
MAUSTON...VIROQUA...PRAIRIE DU CHIEN...RICHLAND CENTER
948 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
SATURDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
SATURDAY. 

SNOW WILL CONTINUE SPREADING FROM SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA AND
NORTHEAST IOWA INTO WESTERN AND CENTRAL WISCONSIN THIS
EVENING. SOME OF THE HIGHER SNOWFALL RATES...POSSIBLY UP TO AN
INCH PER HOUR...COULD OCCUR IN LOCATIONS ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI
RIVER EASTWARD INTO CENTRAL WISCONSIN...INCLUDING THE INTERSTATE
90 AND 94 CORRIDORS.

SNOW WILL BE MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY AT TIMES TONIGHT THEN
TAPER OFF SATURDAY MORNING. SNOW AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE
POSSIBLE THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. NORTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE
LATE TONIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING AS THE LOW PULLS AWAY. THESE
WINDS WILL CREATE SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE NEW SNOW IN
OPEN COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE RIDGE TOPS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

THOMPSON

WEATHER.GOV/LACROSSE
000 
WWUS43 KARX 210545
WSWARX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
1145 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

...ACCUMULATING SNOW FOR THE AREA TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY MORNING...

.A VIGOROUS STORM SYSTEM WILL PUSH ACROSS IOWA AND INTO NORTHERN
ILLINOIS TONIGHT. THIS SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BRING MODERATE TO
HEAVY SNOW AT TIMES ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA...
NORTHEAST IOWA AND SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN TONIGHT. THE HEAVIEST SNOW
IS EXPECTED TO FALL GENERALLY SOUTH OF A WEST UNION IOWA...TO
BOSCOBEL WISCONSIN LINE...WHERE 5 TO 7 INCHES OF SNOW IS LIKELY...
WITH LESSER AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES NORTH OF THIS LINE. THIS
SNOW WILL TAPER OFF SATURDAY MORNING...BUT GUSTY NORTHERLY WINDS
SHOULD CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING.

IAZ029-030-WIZ061-211345-
/O.CON.KARX.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090221T1800Z/
FAYETTE-CLAYTON-GRANT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...OELWEIN...PLATTEVILLE
1145 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
SATURDAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST SATURDAY.

SNOW WILL CONTINUE INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS FROM NORTHEAST IOWA INTO
SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN. SNOWFALL RATES POSSIBLY UP TO AN INCH PER
HOUR COULD OCCUR FROM AROUND OELWEIN AND WEST UNION AREAS TOWARD 
ELKADER IOWA...THEN TO THE WISCONSIN RIVER AREA AND POINTS
SOUTHWARD ACROSS SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN. VISIBILITY WILL BE POOR IN
THESE LOCATIONS...GENERALLY AROUND A MILE.

SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO BE MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY AT TIMES
TONIGHT THEN TAPER OFF SATURDAY MORNING. SNOW AMOUNTS OF 5 TO
7 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. NORTHWEST WINDS
WILL INCREASE LATE TONIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING AS THE LOW PULLS
AWAY. THESE WINDS WILL CREATE SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE
NEW SNOW IN OPEN COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE RIDGE TOPS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...
AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

&&

$$

IAZ008>011-018-019-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ041>044-053>055-
211345-
/O.CON.KARX.WW.Y.0006.000000T0000Z-090221T1800Z/
MITCHELL-HOWARD-WINNESHIEK-ALLAMAKEE-FLOYD-CHICKASAW-WABASHA-
DODGE-OLMSTED-WINONA-MOWER-FILLMORE-HOUSTON-LA CROSSE-MONROE-
JUNEAU-ADAMS-VERNON-CRAWFORD-RICHLAND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...DECORAH...WAUKON...CHARLES CITY...
ROCHESTER...WINONA...AUSTIN...LA CROSSE...SPARTA/TOMAH...
MAUSTON...VIROQUA...PRAIRIE DU CHIEN...RICHLAND CENTER
1145 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
SATURDAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
SATURDAY. 

SNOW WILL CONTINUE INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS FROM SOUTHEAST
MINNESOTA AND NORTHEAST IOWA INTO WESTERN AND CENTRAL WISCONSIN.
SOME OF THE HIGHER SNOWFALL RATES...POSSIBLY UP TO AN INCH PER
HOUR...COULD OCCUR ESPECIALLY IN LOCATIONS ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI
RIVER EASTWARD INTO CENTRAL WISCONSIN...INCLUDING THE INTERSTATE
90 AND 94 CORRIDORS.

IN ADDITION...AREAS GENERALLY ALONG AND WEST OF A LINE FROM
CHARLES CITY IOWA TOWARD AUSTIN AND DODGE CENTER MINNESOTA SHOULD
EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN WIND SHIFT TO THE NORTHWEST WITH GUSTS TO
AROUND 25 MPH...WHICH WOULD CAUSE BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.

SNOW WILL BE MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY AT TIMES TONIGHT THEN
TAPER OFF SATURDAY MORNING. SNOW AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES ARE
POSSIBLE THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING. NORTHWEST WINDS WILL INCREASE
LATE TONIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING AS THE LOW PULLS AWAY. THESE
WINDS WILL CREATE SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE NEW SNOW IN
OPEN COUNTRY AND ACROSS THE RIDGE TOPS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

THOMPSON

WEATHER.GOV/LACROSSE
000 
WWUS43 KARX 210812
WSWARX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
212 AM CST SAT FEB 21 2009

...SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THIS MORNING...

.A VIGOROUS STORM SYSTEM MOVING SOUTHEAST THROUGH SOUTHERN
MINNESOTA EARLY THIS MORNING WILL PUSH ACROSS NORTHEAST IOWA AND
INTO NORTHERN ILLINOIS BY MID MORNING. THIS WILL BRING MODERATE TO
HEAVY SNOW AT TIMES ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA...INTO
NORTHEAST IOWA AND SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN THROUGH THIS MORNING.
THROUGH MID MORNING...THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS EXPECTED TO FALL
GENERALLY SOUTH OF A WEST UNION IOWA...TO BOSCOBEL WISCONSIN
LINE...WHERE 5 TO 7 INCHES OF SNOW IS LIKELY. LESSER AMOUNTS OF 3
TO 6 INCHES IS EXPECTED NORTH OF THIS LINE. THIS SNOW WILL TAPER
OFF LATER SATURDAY MORNING...BUT GUSTY NORTHERLY WINDS ON THE BACK
SIDE OF THE STORM SYSTEM WILL LIKELY CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING AND
DRIFTING.

IAZ029-030-WIZ061-211615-
/O.CON.KARX.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090221T1800Z/
FAYETTE-CLAYTON-GRANT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...OELWEIN...PLATTEVILLE
212 AM CST SAT FEB 21 2009

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY...

A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY. 

SNOW WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THIS MORNING FROM NORTHEAST IOWA
INTO SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN. SNOWFALL RATES APPROACHING AN INCH PER
HOUR COULD OCCUR FROM AROUND OELWEIN AND WEST UNION AREAS TOWARD
ELKADER IOWA...THEN TO THE WISCONSIN RIVER AREA AND POINTS
SOUTHWARD ACROSS SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN. VISIBILITY WILL BE POOR IN
THESE LOCATIONS...GENERALLY AROUND A MILE OR LESS.

THE SNOW IS EXPECTED TO TAPER OFF LATER THIS MORNING. SNOW AMOUNTS OF
5 TO 7 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH THIS MORNING. NORTHWEST WINDS WILL
PICK UP THIS MORNING AS THE LOW PULLS AWAY FROM THE AREA. THESE WINDS
WILL CREATE SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE NEWLY FALLEN
SNOW...ESPECIALLY IN OPEN COUNTRY AND ACROSS RIDGE TOPS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...
AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.

&&

$$

IAZ008>011-018-019-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ041>044-053>055-
211615-
/O.CON.KARX.WW.Y.0006.000000T0000Z-090221T1800Z/
MITCHELL-HOWARD-WINNESHIEK-ALLAMAKEE-FLOYD-CHICKASAW-WABASHA-
DODGE-OLMSTED-WINONA-MOWER-FILLMORE-HOUSTON-LA CROSSE-MONROE-
JUNEAU-ADAMS-VERNON-CRAWFORD-RICHLAND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...DECORAH...WAUKON...CHARLES CITY...
ROCHESTER...WINONA...AUSTIN...LA CROSSE...SPARTA/TOMAH...
MAUSTON...VIROQUA...PRAIRIE DU CHIEN...RICHLAND CENTER
212 AM CST SAT FEB 21 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
TODAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY.

SNOW WILL CONTINUE ACROSS THE AREA THROUGH THIS MORNING. SOME HIGHER
SNOWFALL RATES APPROACHING AN INCH PER HOUR...COULD OCCUR
IN LOCATIONS ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND EASTWARD INTO CENTRAL
WISCONSIN...WHICH INCLUDES THE INTERSTATE 90 AND 94 CORRIDORS.

IN ADDITION...AREAS GENERALLY ALONG AND WEST OF A LINE FROM
CHARLES CITY IOWA TOWARD AUSTIN AND DODGE CENTER MINNESOTA WILL
SEE NORTHWEST WITH GUSTS TO 30 MPH. THIS WILL CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING
AND DRIFTING SNOW.

THE SNOW IS EXPECTED TO TAPER OFF LATER THIS MORNING. SNOW AMOUNTS OF
3 TO 6 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE THROUGH THIS MORNING. NORTHWEST WINDS WILL
ALSO INCREASE THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING AS THE LOW PULLS AWAY FROM
THE AREA. THIS WILL PRODUCE SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE NEWLY FALLEN SNOW
IN OPEN COUNTRY AND ACROSS RIDGE TOPS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

DAS

WEATHER.GOV/LACROSSE
000 
WWUS43 KARX 211009
WSWARX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
409 AM CST SAT FEB 21 2009

...SNOW CONTINUES THIS MORNING...

.A VIGOROUS STORM SYSTEM MOVING ACROSS SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA AND
NORTHEAST IOWA WILL MOVE INTO NORTHERN ILLINOIS BY MID MORNING. THIS
WILL CONTINUE TO PRODUCE SNOW ACROSS PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST
MINNESOTA... INTO NORTHEAST IOWA AND SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN THROUGH
THIS MORNING. THROUGH MID MORNING...THE HEAVIEST SNOW IS EXPECTED
TO FALL GENERALLY ALONG AND SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 90 WHERE TOTAL
SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED TO BE IN THE 3 TO 6 INCH RANGE. LESSER
AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED TO THE NORTH. THE SNOW WILL TAPER OFF LATER
THIS MORNING...BUT GUSTY NORTHERLY WINDS ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE
STORM SYSTEM WILL LIKELY CAUSE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING.

IAZ029-030-WIZ061-211800-
/O.CAN.KARX.WS.W.0002.000000T0000Z-090221T1800Z/
/O.EXA.KARX.WW.Y.0006.000000T0000Z-090221T1800Z/
FAYETTE-CLAYTON-GRANT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...OELWEIN...PLATTEVILLE
409 AM CST SAT FEB 21 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY...
...WINTER STORM WARNING IS CANCELLED...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LA CROSSE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY.
THE WINTER STORM WARNING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

SNOW WILL CONTINUE ACROSS THE AREA THIS MORNING. SNOWFALL RATES
COULD APPROACH AN INCH PER HOUR AT TIMES BEFORE TAPERING OFF
LATER THIS MORNING. TOTAL SNOW AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES CAN BE
EXPECTED.

IN ADDITION...SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW WILL BE SEEN AS THE
RESULT OF INCREASING NORTHWEST WINDS. THIS WILL BE ESPECIALLY TRUE
IN THE OPEN AREAS AND ON RIDGE TOPS. IF TRAVELING...USE CAUTION AND BE
PREPARED FOR REDUCED VISIBILITY AND SLIPPERY ROADWAYS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

IAZ008>011-018-019-MNZ079-086>088-094>096-WIZ041>044-053>055-
211800-
/O.CON.KARX.WW.Y.0006.000000T0000Z-090221T1800Z/
MITCHELL-HOWARD-WINNESHIEK-ALLAMAKEE-FLOYD-CHICKASAW-WABASHA-
DODGE-OLMSTED-WINONA-MOWER-FILLMORE-HOUSTON-LA CROSSE-MONROE-
JUNEAU-ADAMS-VERNON-CRAWFORD-RICHLAND-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...DECORAH...WAUKON...CHARLES CITY...
ROCHESTER...WINONA...AUSTIN...LA CROSSE...SPARTA/TOMAH...
MAUSTON...VIROQUA...PRAIRIE DU CHIEN...RICHLAND CENTER
409 AM CST SAT FEB 21 2009

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST
TODAY...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON CST TODAY.

SNOW WILL CONTINUE ACROSS THE AREA THROUGH THIS MORNING. SOME
HIGHER SNOWFALL RATES APPROACHING AN INCH PER HOUR...COULD OCCUR
IN LOCATIONS ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND EASTWARD INTO
CENTRAL WISCONSIN...WHICH INCLUDES THE INTERSTATE 90 AND
94 CORRIDORS.

IN ADDITION...AREAS GENERALLY ALONG AND WEST OF A LINE FROM
CHARLES CITY IOWA TOWARD AUSTIN AND DODGE CENTER MINNESOTA WILL
SEE NORTHWEST WITH GUSTS TO 30 MPH. THIS WILL CAUSE AREAS OF
BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW.

THE SNOW IS EXPECTED TO TAPER OFF LATER THIS MORNING WITH TOTAL SNOW
AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES EXPECTED. IN ADDITION...NORTHWEST WINDS
WILL ALSO INCREASE THIS MORNING AS THE LOW PULLS AWAY FROM THE
AREA. THIS WILL PRODUCE SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE NEWLY
FALLEN SNOW IN OPEN COUNTRY AND ACROSS RIDGE TOPS. IF TRAVELING...USE 
CAUTION AND BE PREPARED FOR REDUCED VISIBILITY AND SLIPPERY
ROADWAYS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

&&

$$

DAS

WEATHER.GOV/LACROSSE

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this winter storm warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS La Crosse, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before this winter storm warning went out at Feb 20, 3:20 PM CST, 14 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 20, 3:20 PM CST, 14 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
320 PM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

.SHORT TERM...TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT

FORECAST FOCUS IS ON THE SNOW FOR TONIGHT...AMOUNTS AND HEADLINES.

UPPER LEVEL SHORTWAVE TROUGH DRIVING ACROSS THE NORTHERN
PLAINS...PER LATEST WATER VAPOR IMAGERY...AND WILL CONTINUE ITS
SOUTHEAST DIVE INTO IOWA BY 06Z TONIGHT...THEN SWINGING DUE EAST
ACROSS THE EASTERN GREAT LAKES BY 00Z SUN. STRONG QG CONVERGENCE
THROUGH THE LAYERS WITH THIS SYSTEM AS IT MOVES ACROSS THE REGION
TONIGHT...WITH THE STRONGEST LOW LEVEL THERMODYNAMIC AND ISENTROPIC
RESPONSE ACROSS IA AND ILL. SOME WEAK 2D-FRONTOGENETIC FORCING
INDICATED MOSTLY NORTH/WEST OF THE ASSOCIATED SFC LOW...PER A
NORTH-SOUTH RUNNING TIME/HEIGHT X-SECTION. THE 20.12Z GFS IS MUCH
STRONGER ALOFT THOUGH...AROUND 400 MB...THAN THE NAM. CONTINUING TO
LOOK AT THIS X-SECTION...BOTH THE GFS AND NAM HAVE AMPLE SATURATION
TONIGHT THROUGH SAT MORNING...WITH A GOOD OMEGA RESPONSE IN THE
DENDRITIC GROWTH ZONE. BUFKIT SOUNDINGS SHOW THAT THIS FAVORABLE
LIFT/TEMP LAYER COUPLET ISN/T ALL THAT DEEP FOR NORTHERN PARTS OF
THE FORECAST AREA...BUT BETTER TO THE SOUTH...ESPECIALLY BETWEEN
06-15Z. 20.09Z SREF ALSO FAVORS A SWATH OF DEEPER LIFT THROUGH -12
TO -18 C FROM SOUTHEAST MN/NORTHEAST IA INTO SOUTHERN WI.
MEANWHILE...THE LEFT EXIT REGION OF A CURVED 300 MB JET MAX WILL
INCREASE THE LIFT ACROSS THE REGION. LIFT/MOISTURE CONTINUE TO POINT
TO BANDS OF SNOW DEVELOPING NORTH/WEST OF THE SFC LOW...SPREADING
ACROSS THE REGION TONIGHT...EXITING OVER THE EASTERN GREAT LAKES BY
SAT EVENING.

THE BIGGEST QUESTION OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS IS WHERE THIS MAIN
SNOW BAND WOULD MOVE. TRENDS IN THE GFS HAVE BEEN TO DROP THE BULK
OF THE SNOW JUST SOUTH OF THE LOCAL FORECAST AREA...WITH THE EC
LOOKING SIMILAR. THE NAM...MEANWHILE...HAS BEEN MUCH FARTHER
NORTH...BRINGING THE HEART OF THE SNOW TO THE FORECAST AREA...BUT
HAS ALSO BEEN THE OUTLIER. THE NEWEST 12Z MODELS RUNS IN MUCH BETTER
AGREEMENT THOUGH...LINING THIS MAIN SNOW BAND FROM SOUTH CENTRAL
MN...THROUGH NORTHEAST IA TONIGHT...AND THEN FOCUSED ACROSS SOUTHERN
WI/NORTHERN ILL ON SAT. 20.09Z SREF VERY SIMILAR TO THIS...JUST A
BIT FARTHER TO THE SOUTH AT THE ONSET OF THE SYSTEM. THE FORECAST
AREA WILL GET SNOW TONIGHT INTO SAT MORNING...BUT CONFIDENCE STILL A
BIT SHAKY ON WHERE THE HIGHER AMOUNTS WILL FALL. USING THE 12Z RUNS
WITH THE 09Z SREF...THE HIGHER SNOW TOTALS WOULD BE FAVORED ALONG
AND SOUTH OF ROCHESTER...TO LA CROSSE...TO NEW LISBON LINE.
HOWEVER...THE 20.15Z SREF IS LOWER WITH ITS QPF...AND PLACES IT MORE
ACROSS THE HEARTS OF THE FORECAST AREA.

HOW MUCH WILL FALL IS ALSO UNCERTAIN. COBB OUTPUT CONTINUES TO
PLACE THE NAM ON THE HIGH END OF THE SPECTRUM...WITH 6 TO 10 INCH
AMOUNTS IN THE AFOREMENTIONED FAVORED SNOW LOCATIONS. THE GFS IS
ABOUT 1/2 OF THAT. THE NAM HAS RAMPED UP ITS AMOUNTS OVER THE PAST
FEW RUNS...BUT THE 20.18Z RUN HAS JUST HALVED ITS PREVIOUS RUNS. THE
GFS HAS ALSO BEEN INCREASING...BUT NOT AS AGGRESSIVELY AS THE NAM.
WITH 15-1 RATIOS LOOKING REASONABLE...BELIEVE 4 TO 6 INCH AMOUNTS
ACROSS THE SOUTH ARE REALISTIC...DECREASING AS YOU MOVE NORTH.
HIGHER TOTALS ARE EXPECTED AS THE SYSTEM EXITS EAST AND
STRENGTHENS...AND THINK SOME 6+ INCH AMOUNTS COULD FALL OVER PARTS
OF FAR NORTHEAST IA AND SOUTHWEST WI. WILL UPGRADE THE ADVISORY TO A
WARNING TO COVER THIS THREAT. MEANWHILE FARTHER NORTH...WILL EXPAND
THE ADVISORY A BIT TO COVER THE SLIGHTLY HIGHER AMOUNTS EXPECTED.

OVERALL...SNOW WILL FALL ACROSS THE REGION TONIGHT INTO SATURDAY
MORNING. THE LATEST SREF //15Z// RUN IS LOWERING CONFIDENCE SOME IN
THE 12Z NAM/GFS...SO STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY WITH WHERE THE MAIN SNOW
BAND WILL FALL...AND JUST HOW MUCH. TRENDS/EVOLUTION WILL HAVE TO BE
MONITORED CLOSELY TONIGHT...AND ADJUSTMENTS MADE TO THE HEADLINES AS
NEEDED.

.LONG TERM...TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

A ZONAL UPPER LEVEL FLOW RETURNS FOR THE BETTER PART OF NEXT
WEEK...LEADING TO SOME DIFFERENCES IN PLACEMENT/TIMING OF VARIOUS
SHORTWAVES MOVING ALONG THIS FLOW. BOTH THE GFS AND ECMWF WOULD
BRING SHORTWAVE ENERGY ACROSS THE REGION TUES NIGHT/WED...WITH THE
EC STRONGER/MORE DISTINCT WITH THIS FEATURE COMPARED TO THE WEAKER
GFS. THE EC THEN SLIDES ANOTHER SHORTWAVE TROUGH DUE EAST ACROSS THE
CENTRAL PLAINS...TO ACROSS THE OH RIVER VALLEY BY 12Z FRI. THE GFS
HAS A MUCH MORE MESSY AND BUSY PATTERN...BRINGING A COUPLE SHORTWAVE
TROUGHS THROUGH THE PLAINS TOWARD THE REGION...WHILE DROPPING A 500
MB TROUGH ACROSS THE NORTHERN PLAINS BY 12Z FRI. THE EC SOLUTION
WOULD KEEP THE BULK OF THE PCPN WITH THIS SYSTEM TO THE
SOUTH...WHILE THE GFS IS IN FAVOR OF WET/SNOWY CONDITIONS FOR THE
REGION THU/THU NIGHT. THERE HAS BEEN A TON OF VARIANCE WITHIN THE
GFS IN RESPECT TO THIS SYSTEM...WHILE THE ECMWF IS MORE CONSISTENT
OVER ITS PAST FEW RUNS. WILL TREND TOWARD THE EC AS A RESULT.

&&

.AVIATION...TONIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING

A VIGOROUS SHORTWAVE AND ASSOCIATED SURFACE LOW OVER NORTH DAKOTA AT
MIDDAY WILL DROP SOUTHEAST ACROSS MINNESOTA AND IOWA THIS EVENING
AND INTO ILLINOIS BY LATE TONIGHT. SNOW WILL SPREAD SOUTHEAST INTO
THE TAF SITES BY EVENING. BEGINNING 22Z-00Z AT KRST AND 00Z-02Z AT
KLSE. WITH THE STRONG LIFT TO PASS ACROSS THE AREA CEILINGS AND
VISIBILITIES WILL DROP RAPIDLY INTO THE IFR CATEGORY WITH THE ONSET
OF THE SNOW. VISIBILITIES ARE EXPECTED TO DROP AS LOW AS ONE HALF
MILE AT TIMES DURING THE PEAK OF THE STORM WITH ANYWHERE FROM 3 TO 5
INCHES EXPECTED AT BOTH TAF SITES. THE LOW WILL DEEPEN AS IT MOVES
EAST OF THE AREA...WITH THE SNOW TAPERING OFF ACROSS THE TAF SITES
SATURDAY MORNING. A GENERAL IMPROVEMENT IN BOTH CEILINGS AND
VISIBILITIES ARE EXPECTED AS THE MORNING WEARS ON. ACCUMULATING
SNOWS TONIGHT AND EARLY SATURDAY MORNING WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO
HAMPER AIRPORT GROUND OPERATIONS AS WELL. IN ADDITION...NORTHWEST
WINDS WILL BEGIN TO PICK UP AS THE SYSTEM DEPARTS LATE TONIGHT AND
SATURDAY MORNING...WITH DRIFTING SNOW LIKELY TO CONTINUE TO HAMPER
GROUND OPERATIONS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY.

RABERDING

&&

.ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON CST
     SATURDAY FOR WIZ041-WIZ042-WIZ043-WIZ044-WIZ053-WIZ054-
     WIZ055.

     WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON CST
     SATURDAY FOR WIZ061.

MN...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON CST
     SATURDAY FOR MNZ079-MNZ086-MNZ087-MNZ088-MNZ094-MNZ095-
     MNZ096.

IA...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON CST
     SATURDAY FOR IAZ008-IAZ009-IAZ010-IAZ011-IAZ018-IAZ019.

     WINTER STORM WARNING FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO NOON CST
     SATURDAY FOR IAZ029-IAZ030.

&&

RIECK
Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 20, 5:00 AM CST, 10 hours 34 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
500 AM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030-MNZ086>088-094>096-WIZ053>055-061-211200-
ALLAMAKEE-CHICKASAW-CLAYTON-CRAWFORD-DODGE-FAYETTE-FILLMORE-FLOYD-
GRANT-HOUSTON-HOWARD-MITCHELL-MOWER-OLMSTED-RICHLAND-VERNON-
WINNESHIEK-WINONA-
500 AM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PARTS OF NORTHEAST IOWA...
SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN...AND SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR TONIGHT. SNOW WILL SPREAD
ACROSS THE AREA LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY THIS EVENING...THEN
CONTINUE ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA THROUGH THE NIGHT. THE SNOW MAY BE
MODERATE TO LOCALLY HEAVY AT TIMES. SNOW AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 4 INCHES
ARE EXPECTED.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY
MORNING. THE SNOW WILL TAPER OFF SATURDAY MORNING. ANOTHER INCH OR
SO OF SNOWFALL IS POSSIBLE BEFORE THE SNOW TAPERS TO FLURRIES. BRISK
NORTHWEST WINDS BEHIND THE DEPARTING LOW MAY CREATE SOME DRIFTING OF
THE NEW SNOW IN OPEN COUNTRY AND ON THE RIDGE TOPS.

ANOTHER SYSTEM WILL APPROACH AND MOVE ACROSS THE REGION CENTERED
ON WEDNESDAY...BRINGING A SMALL CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW TO THE AREA
FROM TUESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY. DETAILS OF THIS SYSTEM REMAIN
RATHER UNCERTAIN AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SNOW FALL REPORTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED TONIGHT AND SATURDAY.

.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION...

NO CALL IS SCHEDULED.

MNZ079-WIZ017-029-032>034-041>044-211200-
ADAMS-BUFFALO-CLARK-JACKSON-JUNEAU-LA CROSSE-MONROE-TAYLOR-
TREMPEALEAU-WABASHA-
500 AM CST FRI FEB 20 2009

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PARTS OF SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA
AND WESTERN INTO CENTRAL WISCONSIN.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

SNOW WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE AREA LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY THIS
EVENING...THEN CONTINUE ACROSS MUCH OF THE AREA THROUGH TONIGHT.
SNOW AMOUNTS OF ONE-HALF TO ONE INCH ARE POSSIBLE NORTH AND EAST OF
BLACK RIVER FALLS...WITH 2 TO 3 INCHES POSSIBLE ALONG AND SOUTH OF
A LINE FROM LAKE CITY MINNESOTA TO SPARTA AND MAUSTON WISCONSIN.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

SOME LIGHT SNOW OR FLURRIES WILL LINGER OVER THE AREA SATURDAY...
MAINLY IN THE MORNING. ANY ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS WILL BE LESS
THAN AN INCH. SOME BRISK NORTHWEST WINDS BEHIND THE DEPARTING LOW
MAY CREATE SOME DRIFTING OF THE NEW SNOW IN OPEN COUNTRY.

ANOTHER SYSTEM WILL APPROACH AND MOVE ACROSS THE REGION CENTERED
ON WEDNESDAY...BRINGING A SMALL CHANCE OF RAIN OR SNOW TO THE AREA
FROM TUESDAY NIGHT INTO THURSDAY. DETAILS OF THIS SYSTEM REMAIN
RATHER UNCERTAIN AT THIS TIME.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SNOW FALL REPORTS WOULD BE APPRECIATED TONIGHT AND SATURDAY.

.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION...

NO CALL IS SCHEDULED.

RRS

The office that day

Everything else NWS La Crosse, WI issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 20, 3:37 AM CSTWinter Weather AdvisoryARXAdams, Crawford, Grant, Juneau, La Crosse, Monroe and 2 more35 hr

Nearby

Winter Storm Warnings in Iowa, 2009Winter Storm Warnings in Wisconsin, 2009Every winter storm warning in 2009

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.