Plenty of snow, still dry

This winter hasn’t been particularly wet so far, although it may seem like it with all the flakes flying.
Because it has been so cold, when precipitation has fallen it has been more likely snow than rain. Usually it’s half and half this time of year, National Weather Service hydrologist Mike Callahan said.
About 2 inches of snow had fallen as of Tuesday afternoon during the latest round, said Mark Adams, lead forecaster with the Fort Knox weather station. He predicted up to an inch more would accumulate.
Last month, local residents got a rare white Christmas when up to 4 inches fell on the county.
The area typically receives slightly more than 15 inches of snow each winter. About 6 inches have fallen so far.
Technically, there was enough precipitation during the past few months to pull the area out of a drought — even without an overabundance of rain, Callahan said.
The Cecilia Mesonet weather station has recorded a little more than 3 inches of precipitation since Dec. 1, which is well below average. Almost 5 inches of rain fell in November, though.
This is a La Nina winter, which usually means wetter and warmer conditions. This past fall, meteorologists thought it was shaping up to be a fairly moderate La Nina, Callahan said. But it turned out not to be that strong.
The long term forecast calls for below normal temperatures and near normal precipitation in January — but more typical temperatures for the next three months, Callahan said.
As for the cold temperatures so far, the average high recorded in Cecilia for December was 35.7 degrees, which is below normal for the area. January highs have been typical.
This month, though, started with a high of 60.
High temperatures are expected to remain below freezing until Saturday.
John Friedlein can be reached at (270) 505-1746 or jfriedlein@thenewsenterprise.com.

Neal Cardin

Snow fell across the region Tuesday morning making street and sidewalks in downtown Elizabethtown wet and sloppy for motorists and pedestrians.

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Neal Cardin

A dog walks across Nolin Road on Tuesday morning from one field to the next while hunting.

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Neal Cardin

Wet, slushy roads were the norm Tuesday morning as snow fell across the region canceling schools and other events.

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Neal Cardin

Joe Evans gathers his mail Tuesday afternoon as he takes a break from shoveling off his driveway along Graceland Trace.

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Neal Cardin

A person walks past Panther Field on Tuesday afternoon as snow continues to fall.

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Neal Cardin

A squirrel scurries along a telephone cable Tuesday afternoon above South Maple Street in Elizabethtown.

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