Yesterday, you likely noticed the unseasonable warmth across the region. Temperatures quickly warmed into the 70s across southern Kentucky, making Christmas feel more like Spring. But why was this; why did it get so warm?
Well, off to our west, a strong surface low began to develop on the lee side of the Rocky Mountains. This had a warm front that extended its reach into the southern Ohio Valley, shifting winds to the south at its passage. This occurred yesterday afternoon, and allowed for temperatures to warm quickly here.
This wasn’t the most interesting part of this system, though. This low pressure system formed at the hands of an incredibly dynamic weather system. A deep shortwave trough dug into the western United States, and began to eject northeastward. With strong jet streaks in the mid and upper levels of the atmosphere, a surface low was easily forced. It strengthened as yesterday went on, creating a tight pressure gradient in the Dakotas. In addition to this, the low, mid and upper level dynamics were forcing widespread and intense precipitation across the Dakotas.
The combination between a tight pressure gradient and heavy precipitation ends up yielding a Christmas Blizzard. Winds in South Dakota were gusting in the 60 mph range for four hours consecutively. Precipitation was so intense that lightning was reported in areas of both South and North Dakota. And there was an Ice Storm in northeastern South Dakota, southeastern North Dakota and northern Minnesota.
How much snow did you get? Share with us on our Facebook page. #ndwx #holidaystorm pic.twitter.com/qBb2l81EVa
— NWS Bismarck (@NWSBismarck) December 26, 2016
A pretty amazing wind event for much of central and western South Dakota. Pierre, SD gusted above 60 4 consecutive hours, peaking at 68 mph! pic.twitter.com/s2tLv6enha
— Taylor Trogdon (@TTrogdon) December 26, 2016
Visibilities were reduced across much of the region, and travel was absolutely terrible. Check out some of the scenes from the Christmas Blizzard.
I-94 is now closed from Fargo to Montana. Roads are icy across the region with blustery winds.#ndwx @KVRRTV
— Scott Sincoff Wx (@SincoffWx) December 26, 2016
Many roads are either closed or blocked. Stay home today! #NDwx pic.twitter.com/y72DQYNyKN
— Amber Wheeler (@AWheelerKX) December 26, 2016
#Thundersnow caught on camera during the 2016 Christmas Blizzard in Lincoln, ND. Video by Jennifer Jean. #FirstWarn #NDwx pic.twitter.com/g8smwCWgL0
— Henry Blakes KFYR-TV (@HenryBlakes) December 26, 2016
Its crazy! The atmosphere was very cool yesterday, and it was awesome to see a storm develop the way that it did yesterday.