Dave Hennen: So many storms, so soon in season

Dave Hennen

CNN Meteorologist Dave Hennen has been tracking the snowstorm from the CNN weather center, using reports from the National Weather Service and CNN affiliates. Hennen took some time to talk with CNN.com about the storm.

Q: Is this kind of storm unusual for this time of year in this region?

Hennen: It's not all that unusual. What is unusual for the Midwest is the fact that we've seen several of these storms so soon in the season. Usually you have maybe one or two by this time. So far this season those areas have had several storms of this type. Although the number of storms in the region this season is unusual, it goes with the trend of what we expect this year without El Nino or La Nina, which means more snow in these parts of the United States.

(El Nino and La Nina are natural phenomena that affect North and South American weather conditions. El Nino is created by warm water temperatures in the Pacific off the South American coast and La Nina is brought about by cold water temperatures there.)

Q: Why does the low-pressure cell that created this storm cause such cold and snowy conditions?

Hennen: This is what we call an "Alberta clipper" type of system. They move very fast, coming in from Canada with a lot of cold air and very strong winds. We don't usually see all that much snow associated with these types of storms, maybe 3 to 4 inches, because they move so fast. Areas hit by the storm will have near-blizzard conditions, but it won't include that much additional snow to the snow that's already on the ground there.

Q: How can people prepare for this storm and others like it?

Hennen: Hopefully they will have what we like to term a severe weather kit. A severe weather kit would include a flashlight, extra firewood, high-energy food such as candy bars, as well as blankets and pillows; stuff you may want if you're stuck in a home without electricity during a snowstorm.

Q: How long will the storm remain over the Midwest and where will it go from there?

Hennen: One thing about these storms is they move very quickly. So we're looking for this storm to move through the Upper Midwest this weekend, and by the end of the weekend it will move through the Northeast. But by that time, instead of snow, it will bring mostly rain. The worst aspect of the storm by the time it hits the Northeast will be its very high winds, which could cause scattered power outages throughout the region.

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Old Farmer's Almanac
National Climatic Data Center (NCDC)
National Weather Service
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
  • Air Traffic Control System Command Center (delay information)

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