March 2 2019 Snow event!

Taney County Mo. - It was a Saturday, March 2nd, 2019 and the NWS was calling for snow to fall across much of southwest Missouri. As in all such cases, a lot of guesswork was out there concerning precipitation forms (wet versus frozen), types (rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow) and overall amounts. The current thinking for Taney County Missouri was for about two inches of snow with the start late in the day as any rain or drizzle that existed would change over snow.

As per the 5:38 AM dialog, the NWS stated;  'The upper level trough (area of low pressure) will help deepen a surface low over west Texas later today before moving across the lower Mississippi Valley late tonight and Sunday. Moisture will be pulled up and over the system and interact with the cold air mass overspreading much of the central U.S.' This setup did portend that snow would fall, with exactly how much and of what forms still to be determined. (Unfortunately, that left evening commuters pretty much clueless). Following are 'updates' that I planned to make beginning later in the afternoon. These would be intended for the immediate area around Forsyth and would likely not be representative of the rest of Taney County! My updates will look something like this:

 

9:46 AM - Sky was overcast with no forms of precipitation. The apparent snow in the radar at right is 'virga' - precip that is not making it to the ground.

www.taneyweather.com

See? Easy peasey. I also intended to insert comments at any times where I saw or heard about any significant events happening. So, stay turned. The weather 'action' should begin much later today and overnight. This could be a pretty late event, but I planned to be vigilant.

12:30 PM - The outdoor temps had shown a trend downwards (.17° per hour). Winds were also veering towards the north. Nothing really that major. And, as it turned out everything more or less stabilized after the 1PM hour.

1:40 PM - At this hour, the freezing line was still off to the northwest. I was making a guess that it would be after 6PM before it made its way into the Taney County area. Also, I noted the light and variable nature of the winds.

5:00 PM - Latest forecast from the Weather Service is zeroing in on a 3AM to 9AM period when snow might impact area traffic in and around Taney County.I'll set my alarm clock for an early start Sunday!

10:30 PM - The radar was showing echos from the west. Snow, virga or what? Going to sleep and will try and awake at about 3AM. Late night folks can track the event at www.taneyweather.com!

5:10 AM - Pretty much a blown forecast, that is, if we don't get some snow off the back side of the system which was making fast tracks off to the east. I did note a bit of ice on an exposed railing. There were also some indications of a band of snow approaching from the west.


5:45 AM - If that snow that is indicated on the left and which is approaching fairly quickly is the real thing, I'm thinking it will hit just in time for the morning rush for church!

6:20 AM - Observed snow falling. I did not feel that the event was going to last very long, however.

In the graphic, at left, you can see that the snow band was fairly thin. For a live link to the 76 Strip in Branson click here.

So, that pretty much is a wrap for this winter season as we will be warming up by mid week. The next stormy weather was shaping up to hit late in the work week and should be i n the form of some rain and thunder.