Storm Prediction Center Mesoscale Discussion 3

   Mesoscale Discussion 0003
   NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
   0151 AM CST Sun Jan 05 2025

   Areas affected...north-central to northeast Kansas into far
   west-central Missouri

   Concerning...Heavy snow 

   Valid 050751Z - 051245Z

   SUMMARY...Localized snowfall rates exceeding 1 inch per hour
   expected by 09Z with widespread heavy snow after 11Z.

   DISCUSSION...A broad precipitation field extends from central Kansas
   to western Illinois within a broad region of strong isentropic
   ascent. Most of this precipitation has been mixed phase thus far,
   but a larger region of heavy snow is expected within the next 1 to 2
   hours. The initial signs of this development can be seen in regional
   composite radar across central Kansas as the precipitation shield
   expands into the cold air as strong frontogenesis pivots across the
   state. Expect a more sharp precipitation type gradient across Kansas
   by 10-11 UTC as the frontal zone becomes better defined with the
   strengthening mid-latitude cyclone. This should result in a
   southeastward shift of the rain/snow line with more of
   central/east-central Kansas switching to all snow. As the
   mid-latitude cyclone continues to strengthen and high pressure
   across the northern Plains continues to shift south, the pressure
   gradient will strengthen, particularly across northern Kansas with
   some localized blizzard conditions possible by daybreak. More
   widespread blizzard conditions are expected during the day along the
   I-70 corridor from Salina to Kansas City.

   ..Bentley.. 01/05/2025

   ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product...

   ATTN...WFO...EAX...OAX...TOP...ICT...GID...DDC...GLD...

   LAT...LON   38659617 38259711 38239851 38420010 38780016 39309985
               39989887 40019577 39989512 39869431 39669407 39399415
               39119449 38679609 38659617