. . .Another Winter Weather Disaster in the Making. . .
Okay, I have to blog about this storm… even though it’s really not affecting Southwest KS much at all other than prolonged light flurries. Springfield, MO and surrounding parts are in trouble.. with a capital "T". They have already accumulated 1 to 1.5" of ice… and another big round is expected on Sunday the 15th.
This storm is one of the most interesting winter storms, from a meteorological standpoint. There was a huge area of sleet in southern Kansas and most of Oklahoma with this thing so far (the 12th-13th). I don’t have time to post a graphic… but the Norman and Springfield soundings are just fantastic with an incredible warm layer aloft with an awesome near-surface cold layer. The cold layer was so cold (yet quite shallow), that rain was re-freezing as sleet just before hitting the ground… this has actually saved Oklahoma City from disastrous results to the likes of what Springfield, MO are experiencing. Here are some of the more eerie Local Storm Reports from around the Springfield area so far:
1213 PM ICE STORM MONETT 36.92N 93.93W 01/13/2007 BARRY MO TRAINED SPOTTER THE CITY OF MONETT HAS EXPERIENCED MAJOR ICE DAMAGE. CITY WIDE POWER OUTAGES. SOME TREES ARE FALLING OVER FROM THE ROOTS DUE TO SOFT GROUND FROM THE RAINFALL.
1214 AM ICE STORM 5 NE WILLARD 37.36N 93.36W 01/14/2007 GREENE MO NWS EMPLOYEE CATOSTROPHIC TREE DAMAGE. IN WOODED AREAS...TREES AND TREE LIMBS ARE CRACKING AT A HIGH RATE. MANY HOMES WITHOUT POWER. FREEZING DRIZZLE CONTINUED THROUGH THE EVENING. ICE ACCUMULATION ABOUT AN INCH TO INCH AND A HALF.
My son called from Springfield and said if you stood outside this morning it sounded like gun fire with all the trees breaking. He also said he saw some really big trees split right down the middle to the ground.
Comment by Kay Lauber — January 14, 2007 @ 1:41 am
Just a note to let you know that I have 2″ of sleet on the ground, with very little ice on anything. I have been lucky, the cold air is deeper than forecast, as melted precip is .93″. It would not be a preety sight if it were shallower.
I have been a reader of your site for a number of years. I’m also a nws coop site for SGF. Location is about 16 miles south of Sedalia, Mo. Anyway keep up the good work!!!
Comment by Tom Eckhoff — January 14, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
My friend lives in Springfield, and has been without power since Saturday. He said it was a major disaster area. His family lives in Dighton, KS, where they just had a major ice storm the week prior. Talk about some bad luck! When the power went out Saturday, he told me the crews weren’t even going to head out until Monday, in fear of the last round. Anyways, nice pics!
Comment by Dick McGowan — January 17, 2007 @ 8:27 am
Paul Dizmang is a Property Manager in Springfield, MO and has blogged and video podcasted about the terrible ice storm. He manages over 140 single family rental homes and has had to deal with the crazy-ness of this storm 140 times more than most people! Visit his blog at http://www.dizmangproperties.blogspot.com to see more pictures and videos.
Comment by Jessica Hickok — January 20, 2007 @ 3:15 pm