Heavy "fluffy" snow producing the first significant snowfall of the winter in Kewanee, IL
This past weekend a "surprise snowstorm" took shape across central and northern Illinois. Thanks to the remnants of a major winter storm that impacted the Great Plains and portions of the Midwest with a blizzard before the Christmas holiday we received our first significant snowfall locally. This was all due to enhanced lift from several spokes of energy rotating around a low pressure center. The surprise part of this storm were the high-snow ratios present nearing 30:1 in this area allowing the snow to quickly accumulate. Fluffy snow accumulates fast even with only .10-.25 of liquid precipitation folks! Locally, I recorded a storm total of 7.3" of new snow accumulation before compaction. That's pretty amazing considering "wrap-around vorts" were responsible for most of the upward vertical motion thus the snowfall! However, I must point out that the GFS was hinting at this such scenario when everyone seem to have "tunnel-vision" on the blizzard in this area. Since, I pay a lot of attention to what will happen locally in this area I wasn't as surprised as others seemed to be. The GFS was hinting of around a 4" (if not a little more) snowfall locally from the left-overs of the major winter storm a few days before the event. Yes, it still undercut the reality of a 6" + greater snowfall, but still out-performed the other numerical models in this such event. Also, it was interesting that earlier GFS model-runs out-performed newer GFS model-runs! If just for a few model-runs you weren't paying attention and focusing too much on the blizzard well I'm sure you would have busted your snowfall forecast in this area. It's an excellent example to not get tunnel-vision when forecasting. Most of the weather media completely blown the forecast in this area with a 1-3" projected snowfall. It could be argued this was because many focused too much on the blizzard that was a near miss for the local-area and not enough attention was paid to a smaller snow event that exceeded its potential after the news-worthy blizzard. Definitely, an interesting storm and observing just how many busted forecasts were found all across northern and central Illinois after this snowstorm.
Sunshine and fresh-fallen snow providing some picturesque winter photography
Snowdrift on the roof of the house
Snowplows working overtime over the Christmas holiday
Wide-angle shot of our snow-blasted fence
Heavy snow!
"Big flakes"
A lighthouse in the snow...
The snowstorm, in-action shot (heavy snowfall occurring)
Cardinal and a Blue Jay in one shot...how bout that? (Canon telephoto-zoom lens)
I've added a YouTube clip as well illustrating the heavy snow (above)
We should see some more snowfall in the next 24 hrs. locally however, this system shouldn't produce as heavy of a snowfall as we experienced a few days ago, but it's sure to add to the grip Old Man Winter has on the Midwest right now...
Wide-angle shot of our snow-blasted fence
Heavy snow!
"Big flakes"
A lighthouse in the snow...
The snowstorm, in-action shot
A white blanket on the above-ground pool
Yet another snowplow in-action...
Different-type of snow fence here...(wide-angle)
Beautiful snow landscape shot (Canon telephoto-zoom lens)
Outdoor pasture always a good spot to get some 
Outdoor ornaments in the elements
Canon telephoto-zoom lens...
Snowy bench...
Evergreen trees showing the effects of the fresh-snow
Wildlife shot: Blue Jay
Cardinal and a Blue Jay in one shot...how bout that?
