New years Weekend Winter Storm Recap

(12:00PM - 1/17/22) A brief recap regarding the Sat-Sun, Jan 1-2nd winter storm that brought accumulating snow, sleet and freezing rain to Northern and Central Illinois.

Overview...
A storm system impacted the region Friday, Dec 31st through Sunday January 2nd, bringing accumulating snow, sleet and freezing rain to portions of the region and state. The storm system ejected out northeastward through the Plains Friday night into Saturday morning, continuing northeastward through the Mid-Mississippi Valley and Ohio Valley Saturday afternoon and night, and then into the Northeast on Sunday as it quickly weakened. Model guidance showed the potential for this winter storm several days out, including the threat for an axis of accumulating snowfall for portions of the state. However, one question always existed in how quickly the storm system would shear our and weaken as it moved northeastward through the region. In the end, the storm system ended up a bit weaker and drier, and weakened steadily as it moved northeastward through the region. This lead to lower observed snowfall totals compared to what was forecast for some areas.

Summary...
A large area of precipitation spread northeastward across Northern and Central Illinois Saturday morning. Across the northern half of the state, precipitation was all snow for the duration of this winter storm. a large area of snow moved across the northern half of the state from the onset Saturday morning, through Saturday afternoon and evening, before ending with time late Saturday night and early Sunday morning. Snow was of varying intensity for the duration of the winter storm, and was moderate to heavy at times, with snowfall rates up to or in excess of 1" per hour at times. A bit of lake enhanced/lake effect snow also occurred across far Northeast Illinois, which added to snowfall totals a bit for that area. Additionally, wind gusts of 20-40MPH occurred across Northern Illinois during this winter storm, which could caused some blowing and drifting of snow.

Further south across Central Illinois, while portions of the area stayed all snow (Such as the Peoria area) for the duration of the winter storm, a transition zone set up up across Central Illinois. Along this transition zone; a mix of snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain occurred. Even further south across the southern half of the state, precipitation came in the form of rain and t'storms.

Wrap-Up...
Final snowfall totals upwards of 2-5" to 4-7" occurred across Northern Illinois, with snowfall totals of 4-7" to 6-9" having occurred across Western Illinois. Minor sleet accumulation of less than 1" and ice accumulation of a glaze occurred within the transition zone across Central Illinois. Additionally, wind gusts of 20-40MPH caused blowing and drifting snow across Northern and Western Illinois.

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

JP