January 10, 2021
SPC MD 17

MD 0017 CONCERNING HEAVY SNOW FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL INTO NORTH TEXAS
Mesoscale Discussion 0017 NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0934 AM CST Sun Jan 10 2021 Areas affected...Portions of central into north Texas Concerning...Heavy snow Valid 101534Z - 101930Z SUMMARY...Pockets of 1 inch per hour snowfall will be possible in portions of the central/north Texas. The highest rates will likely diminish by mid-afternoon. DISCUSSION...A band of moderate to heavy snow is ongoing in the the I-20 vicinity west of DFW, arcing southeastward towards Waco. This band is primarily being supported by 700 mb warm air advection with further enhancement from a southeastward progressing shortwave trough now centered in the Texas South Plains per water vapor imagery. Into the afternoon, an area of favorable ascent within the dendritic growth zone is expected to continue moving from the Hill Country into central Texas. At least brief periods of 1 inch per hour snowfall rates will be possible. Steep mid-level lapse rates were observed on this morning's FWD sounding and visible satellite shows convective turrets along the southern flank of the main precipitation shield. A few locations may experience locally higher snowfall rates where convective enhancement occurs. By late afternoon, snowfall should diminish as 700 mb winds veer and the main synoptic ascent shifts east. With low-level dry air also being observed on the FWD sounding, as well as the southeasterly track of the greatest ascent, the northward extent of higher snowfall rates is uncertain. While the DFW metro area is not likely to see the highest snowfall rates, there will be a period during the early to mid afternoon where the band of precipitation is able to cool/moisten the low levels and produce a narrow window of snowfall that approaches 1 inch per hour. ..Wendt.. 01/10/2021 ...Please see www.spc.noaa.gov for graphic product... ATTN...WFO...FWD...EWX...SJT... LAT...LON 31539948 31609963 31999991 32500010 32810006 33189972 33279934 33319865 33069802 32709748 31949665 31449676 31049719 30979785 31089867 31539948