May 16, 2012
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Conditions at Wausau Downtown Airport, WI
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I'm dreaming of a white Christmas ....

Here we are going into the middle of December, and what a difference a year has made for central Wisconsin for snowfall.  Last year at this time, we were just a handful of days removed from a HUGETASTIC snow storm, and Wausau had over a foot of snow on the ground.  As of Thursday, there is nothing officially being reported on the ground, although there are spots with some snow around town.  Farther south, there is nothing, farther north, there are areas with closer to 4" still on the ground, but that is few and far between.

Here's a look at a satellite estimate of the current snow pack across Wisconsin.

 

 

As it stands right now today (Thursday Dec 15), there are only a handful of storm systems that look to roll through Wisconsin through next weekend.  Most of the computer models hint at a small chance for some very light snowfall (<1") for Saturday and then again a slight chance for a few light snow showers Tues/Wed of next week. It looks like the active storm track will stay south of our area in Wisconsin.

Here's the computer models for the middle and end of next week.  Active storm track stays south...

 

 

If you have some snow cover now, I think there will be enough of that that remains into Christmas weekend.  That line is roughly just north of highway 29 and then north up into the UP of Michigan.  Those areas farther south still look like a white Christmas may not happen.

Keep in mind this is 10 days away and that things could always change.
Here's the average % of White Christmases:

 

 

 

As you can see, most of our area has a White Christmas 76% of the time or greater the farther north. Time will tell...

 

Be careful on the roads out there over the course of the next week!

 

Let me apologize to everyone for the audio issues we have experienced over the past week. We have things fixed and ready from this point forward,,, let's just say, HD stuff is very complicated and VERY expensive!

Happy Holidays!

 

 

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  • by Gregg Location: WI rapids on Dec 23, 2011 at 03:01 PM
    So far so good, but now this afternoon all looks bad for a green Christmas. More than enough snow three of the past four years! If it is supposed to be 75% white Christmas here, then shouldn't one out of four be green? When was the last green Christmas? I am thinking it was in the 1980's! We have come close a few years, but never had bare ground on Christmas day since then.
    • reply
      by Chad Franzen on Dec 23, 2011 at 06:26 PM in reply to Gregg
      Hey there Gregg, The last "bare" Christmas was in 2002 and 1988, 1979, 1960 and 1953. (records through 1931). This may be a moot point at this time, since we saw around an inch or two Friday afternoon. However, there will be plenty of sunshine coming up Saturday, which will whittle some of this away for a good chunk of the area.
  • by cliff Location: arpin on Dec 20, 2011 at 03:53 PM
    the lack of snow (that I don't mind) is because my wife bought me a new snow thrower this year. would be nice if I didn't have to use it all winter.!!
    • reply
      by Chad Franzen on Dec 23, 2011 at 06:24 PM in reply to cliff
      Hey there Cliff, I didn't buy one last year, and am hoping to go as late into the season this year before I do. I decided Christmas gifts for family and co-workers is more important that a snow thrower... at least, at this time. :) Merry Christmas to you and your family Cliff!
  • by Chris Location: Marshfield on Dec 17, 2011 at 04:01 PM
    If this is to be a snowless winter, then we best pray for an early spring. Without the protection of snowcover, a lot of bulbs and whatnot could well freeze out as the frost will go down deep, as even when we miss out on snow, we usually don't miss the cold! It also amounts to a drouth because there'll be little or no moisture in the soil when spring does arrive. Snow isn't just a pretty decoration--it's a necessity. They said it was a La Nina year, but it sure looks like El Nino--absurdly warm, and snowless--is there any real difference where we are concerned? Sure would like to know.
    • reply
      by Chad Franzen on Dec 19, 2011 at 03:13 PM in reply to Chris
      We are still technically in a weak "La Nina", which traditionally produces a somewhat cooler, and more precipitation laden winter season for this part of Wisconsin. There is a split flow in the jet stream over the nation right now, that is preventing the storm track from getting farther north into this part of Wisconsin. Look for this pattern to break down in the next few weeks.

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