Weather or Not
In this blog, weather junkies on the Southeast Missourian staff talk about (what else?) the weather. Give us your observations, folk wisdom and Farmers Almanac tales -- it's a weather free for all.
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Here comes another Mississippi River flood
Posted Friday, January 10, 2020, at 4:18 PMSurprise! Thanks to our ongoing round of heavy rain and thunderstorms, the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau is expected to jump to a stage of 39 feet next week... -
Rain changing to snow changing to severe thunderstorms changing to snow?
Posted Thursday, December 12, 2019, at 5:41 PMThe forecast for Sunday and Monday is complicated... and will likely change. Right now the forecast for Cape Girardeau calls for rain or snow on Sunday, then all snow Sunday night, then rain or snow on Monday (with a chance of thunderstorms), and finally a possible change back to all snow Monday evening... -
Here comes the first snow of the season
Posted Monday, November 11, 2019, at 10:51 AMOur first winter storm of the season is almost here. The NWS in Paducah has issued a Winter Weather Advisory covering the region from noon to 9 PM today. The advisory states that "total snow accumulations one to two inches likely" with "winds guesting as high as 30 to 35 mph."... -
Surprise! Here comes Tropical Storm Olga
Posted Friday, October 25, 2019, at 5:06 PMLate October doesn't seem like the usual time of year to deal with tropical weather, but here we are. Tropical Storm Olga has formed in the Gulf of Mexico just off the coast of Louisiana, and this system is pumping copious amounts of moisture in our direction... -
Oh look, there's more rain the forecast
Posted Friday, May 31, 2019, at 5:30 PMThe current forecast for the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau shows a crest of 47 feet late next week. This would be the 3rd or 4th highest crest on record, depending on whether the river can exceed the 47.00 reading set in 1995. The all-time highest crests are:... -
River forecasted to zoom to 45.1 feet... and more rain is coming
Posted Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at 4:45 PMToday's forecast for the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau shows the river zooming to major flood stage again, higher than the last crest. Right now the predicted crest is 45.1 feet, which would be the tenth highest on record... -
River continues to drop, but more heavy rain coming
Posted Thursday, May 16, 2019, at 4:30 PMAfter remaining above major flood stage for several days, the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau is poised to start dropping in earnest. The current forecast shows the river retreating below flood stage (32 feet) on May 28... -
Mississippi River at Cape now forecast to crest at 45.5 feet
Posted Thursday, May 2, 2019, at 2:03 PMThanks to another wet spring, the Mississippi River is poised to reach major flood stage at Cape Girardeau. The current forecast calls for the crest to arrive Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning next week at 45.5 feet... -
Anything is possible: Winter Weather Advisory issued for Friday afternoon
Posted Thursday, February 14, 2019, at 4:53 PMIt's that time again for another winter storm capable of dropping anything: snow, sleet, freezing rain, and/or liquid rain. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory to start at noon Friday. The bulletin states:... -
Winter Weather Advisory issued for Saturday
Posted Friday, January 18, 2019, at 3:26 PMThe National Weather Service in Paducah has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Saturday afternoon and night. For the Cape Girardeau area, 1-2 inches of snow accumulation are expected, with slightly higher amounts possible to the north... -
It's hard to get excited about rain-changing-to-snow scenarios
Posted Thursday, January 17, 2019, at 3:50 PMOur last big system was a disappointment because it was a snow-changing-to-rain scenario, and the rain washed away the little snow that we received. Our next big system is likely to be a disappointment because it will be a rain-changing-to-snow scenario, and the temperature will drop below freezing about 3.2 microseconds after the precipitation leaves... -
Winter storm moving in faster; get ready for "snizzle"
Posted Friday, January 11, 2019, at 9:10 AMOur winter storm is moving in faster than expected, with the first line of precipitation already moving through Southeast Missouri this morning. It's not clear how much of this wintry mix is reaching the ground, however. Current trends suggest that the storm is every bit as strong as forecast, but the computer models keep nudging the track farther to the north. ... -
Winter Storm Warning issued for Cape Girardeau County
Posted Thursday, January 10, 2019, at 4:32 PMOur snowmaker is still poised to arrive Friday evening, but the computer models are nudging the storm track farther to the north, leaving us with more rain and less snow. Nevertheless, Cape Girardeau could still see a respectable 3+ inches of snow overnight Friday before the mess changes to liquid rain during the day on Saturday.That's enough for the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Storm Warning for Cape Girardeau County starting Friday afternoon and running through Saturday morning.Areas just to the north and west are expected to see substantially higher snow totals, with Farmington, Chester, Ste. ... -
Winter storm approaching, but with less hype than usual
Posted Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at 4:13 PMWe could be in store for a high-quality snowstorm Friday night into the weekend. But after watching previous storms turn into total busts, the meteorological community seems to be pretty laid-back about this next storm.It does appear that we have a good chance of receiving accumulating snow Friday night, but this will likely be tempered by warmer temperatures -- and plain ol' liquid rain -- on Saturday, leading to a slushy mess. ... -
Winter Storm Warning issued, but the computer models are waffling on snow totals
Posted Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at 9:17 AMCape Girardeau, Bollinger, and Perry counties are under a Winter Storm Warning starting at 3 PM today and lasting through 6 PM Thursday. The warning says that "total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches with isolated higher amounts are expected."The latest computer models appear to be nudging the storm track farther north, which would put the bullseye of the heaviest snow well to our north around Effingham, Illinois.According to NWS Weather Prediction Center graphics, we still have a very good chance (around 80%) of seeing at least two inches of snow:The odds for 4+ inches are still decent at around 40%, but this is lower than yesterday's projections:However, the chances of 8+ inches are almost nil:Even if this storm underperforms, it could still be a big deal for November.. ... -
Winter Storm Watch issued: Old Man Winter is arriving early this year
Posted Tuesday, November 13, 2018, at 4:31 PMA Winter Storm Watch has been issued as a potent storm system is expected to deliver a decent snowfall from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday. Unlike typical winter storms, this one will be moving in from the south -- maybe even the southeast -- and it could spin right on top of us, potentially dumping several inches of snow... -
Moderate flooding expected on the Mississippi River at Cape
Posted Tuesday, October 9, 2018, at 12:08 PMAlthough it's been dry here, heavy rain over northern Missouri and Iowa will push the Mississippi River into flood stage yet again.The current forecast calls for the river to hit 38.5 feet on the Cape Girardeau gauge, a level considered "moderate" flooding.However, more rain is on the way over the next week, especially upstream, so the forecast is liable to change. ... -
"It always rains during fair week"
Posted Wednesday, September 5, 2018, at 2:40 PMSeptember is the second-driest month at Cape Girardeau, at least according to long term averages (August is the driest). But that won't stop people from exclaiming "It always rains during fair week!" if a shower pops up during the SEMO District Fair.This year, we might be kicking off the fair with more than just isolated showers. ... -
Winter Weather Advisory issued for tonight
Posted Friday, April 6, 2018, at 3:37 PM1We're still in line for 1-2 inches of snow at Cape Girardeau tonight. Thanks to temperatures in the 60s this afternoon, it will be hard for the snow to accumulate on the warm ground.The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 3 AM to 10 AM tonight. ... -
April snow showers bring... what?
Posted Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at 4:24 PMAfter yesterday's thunderstorm outbreak and temperatures in the 70s, it's hard to believe that we face two -- yes, two -- chances of snow in the next week. Although it's possible that these snow makers could be total busts, any chance of snow in April is a big deal!Following widespread frost tonight and a brief warming trend, another cold blast will plunge temperatures into the upper 20s Friday night. ...
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