Fewer than a third (31%) of the years on record here since 1884-85 have produced
snow so late in the season. Monday’s snowfall featured especially large flakes—not
uncommon when temperatures are above freezing allowing falling snowflakes to stick
together. It was the second latest occurrence of snow here in the past 15 years.
Temperatures dropped sharply with altitude creating the sort of unstable atmosphere
which encourages air to rise with vigor and clouds to develop vertically, much as a
thunderstorm does. It was not surprising several flashes of lightning occurred in
parts of the metro area despite a daytime temperature of just 38 degrees —a level
more typical of late February and 25 degrees below the normal late April highs. While
snow dusted outdoor objects here, Stevens Point in central Wisconsin received 5
inches.
VIRGINIA TWISTERS INJURE HUNDREDS
The same system responsible for Chicago’s thunderstorms Friday walloped the East
Coast, spawning 10 twisters. Three of the twisters injured at least 200 in southern
Virginia.
