Where did Winter go?

The second storm in a week. 1/11/2024 dwm

One month ago, we just finished a second round of heavy snow in and around Madison, topping 20 inches in places.

 

On February 11, the only snow you'll find is part of the shrinking piles of snow piles in parking lots.

 

So far, February temperatures have been above average every day. It feels like March.

 

It is too soon to proclaim winter is finished.  The groundhogs predicted an early spring but it's not uncommon for those early warmer days to yield to snow and ice.

 

The winter wonderland is melted. 1/12/24 dwm

The forecast through the end of February is toasty, only one of the next nineteen days is expected to see a high as low as 30.  

 

Thursday night a tornado touched down less than 30 miles away.  The warm air and moisture created conditions perfect conditions for a severe spring storm.

 

This is more likely to be the new normal.  Episodes of snow, ice, and cold mixed with unusual warmth and storms.

 

For years people in the midwest joked with newcomers that if they didn't like the weather, 'wait five minutes.' In this new weather world we're moving into, it may not take that long!

This is all that remains of the January snow storm in our neighborhood. 2/10/2024 dwm