Fri-Sat, Jan 14-15th Winter Storm Recap

(12:00PM - 1/17/22) A brief recap regarding the Fri-Sat, Jan 14-15th winter storm that brought a swath of accumulating snow into Northwest, Western and Southwest Illinois.

Overview...
A storm system impacted the region Friday, Jan 14th through Sunday, Jan 16th, bringing an swath of accumulating snow to the region, including into portions of the state. The storm system moved southeastward through the Plains on Friday, eastward through the Lower-Mississippi Valley on Saturday, and then into the Southeast on Sunday. Model guidance showed the potential for this winter storm several days out, including the potential for an axis of accumulating snowfall across portions of the region and into portions of the state. In the end this winter storm produced overall very close to forecast expectations, and even overperformed a bit with slightly higher snowfall accumulation than expected into Western Illinois.

Summary...
A large area of snow spread into portions of Northwest and Western Illinois around midday Friday, moving into more of Northern and Central Illinois through Friday afternoon. Across Southern Illinois, precipitation began as a rain/snow mix Friday afternoon and evening, eventually transitioning to all snow with time Friday evening and Friday night. A large area of snow then occurred across affected areas from aforementioned onset times, through very late Friday night and early Saturday morning, before ending with time by mid Saturday morning. Snow intensity generally varied from light to moderate for the duration of this winter storm, with snowfall rates up to or in excess of 0.5" per hour at times. A few bursts of heavy snow occurred at times, closer to the Illinois/Iowa/Missouri border region.

​Wrap-Up...
Final snowfall totals upwards of 1-3" to 2-5" occurred across Northwest and Southwest Illinois, with snowfall totals of 2-5" to 4-7" having occurred across Western Illinois. Across the rest of the state, most areas received generally a dusting of snowfall accumulation.

​Below is a map representation of the final forecast and observed snowfall across the state and adjacent areas. 

Observed Snowfall Totals

Final Snowfall Forecast

JP