Midwest Blizzard(?) Open Thread...

The Weather Service hasn't officially upgraded the Winter Storm Warning to a Blizzard Warning yet, but the 10 am CDT observations showed winds gusting over the 40 MPH blizzard criteria in South Dakota and northwestern Iowa. At my earth sheltered home on the Buffalo Ridge at the intersection of US 14 and MN 23 I was greeted by heavy wet snow at dawn and it's been all downhill from there. That means the switchover from rain to snow came early in this three day storm, meaning even more snow. Visibility is down to about a hundred yards, barely enough to see the lack of traffic on usually busy MN23.

This is looking to be a historic storm- heck, the heaviest snow ain't even forecast 'til tomorrow night! Weatherdude, you inna house? And fellow weathergeeks, feel free to chime in! I'll update as news rolls in... So far, the cell tower hasn't gone down.

11:12 AM PT: I 80 closed from intersection with I 76 in western Nebraska to Cheyenne, WY.