Blizzard of 2016 delivers, snowy Minnesota coating today

Blizzard of 2016

2016 is off an running with the first major extreme weather event of the year.

The Blizzard of 2016 met or exceeded expectations and pre-storm "hype." In fact, one of the biggest snowstorms in east coast history in was a major weather forecast success.

The widespread snow swath dumped snow by the foot across a huge swath of the eastern U.S. and along the densely populated I-95 corridor.

The storm was the biggest on record for Baltimore and just missed the biggest ever in NYC by a mere tenth of an inch.

In Washington, D.C. the storm dumped 2 feet over much of the city. Three feet of snow fell not far from the northwest suburbs of D.C..

It was the 2nd biggest snowfall on record at Washington Dulles Airport and 4th all time at Reagan National.

The views from space Sunday? As impressive as the view on the ground.

Sandy flood levels

As predicted the combinations of near hurricane force wind gusts, storm surge and full moon high tides shoved the Atlantic Ocean inland across the New Jersey coast. The resulting ice-water floods matched levels reached during Hurricane Sandy in southern New Jersey.

The Blizzard of 2016 may be the first billion dollar weather disaster of 2016 for the U.S.. The 'textbook' mechanics of this storm will be studied for years to come.

Here's a great look ta the meteorology of the storm from The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang, which did an excellent job forecasting and covering this mega-storm.

Monday snow

Some Minnesotans are suffering for a serious case of snow envy. A minor weather system delivers a snowy coating to Minnesota Monday. Freezing mist ices up roads in the metro at times today.

Slick roads again pop up during both AM and PM rush hours.

I expect metro snowfall totals to be on the lighter side. Most of the metro should see coating to as much as 2"by Monday night. Heavier totals of 3" to 6" will fall north and west of the metro toward Alex, St. Cloud, and Mille Lacs. A secondary wave will dump some impressive snow totals in far southeast Minnesota Monday night.

Here's the NAM version of events.

Late January thaw: 40 by Friday

El Nino induced Pacific breezes return late this week. Temps should push 40 degrees by Friday. I won't be surprised to see some bank thermometers in the metro pushing 43 or higher Friday afternoon.

The end of the month looks mild once again. The snow out east? Flood warnings could be in the cards by next week.

Snowy start to February?

There are some early signs a potentially sloppy rain-snow system could get cranked up close to home next week.

Stay tuned.