For me, there’s so much peace and tranquility that comes along with the sounds of Christmas music, the bright and cheery decorations and twinkling lights, and the great culinary treats, especially the cookies and desserts.
While this is my favorite time of the year, I know it also brings sadness to those missing loved ones or going through hard times. For those friends, I’ll say a special prayer this holiday season.
We’re all doing well. I’m still the morning meteorologist for the CBS affiliate in the Quad Cities, Ray is the Economic Development and Planning Director for the city of Moline, and Gretel is now a sophomore and just finished “Mary Poppins” at school. Also, my sister, Tammy, is still in Moline. Her family lives locally, too.
We travel as much as work (and our budget) allows.
Since my last update, we kicked off our adventures with Tammy in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, last December.
For Christmas last year, we gave Gretel a “Spring Break” trip to New York City in March.
While in the “Big Apple”, we saw the amazing Carly Rae Jepsen in concert.
We also saw the off-Broadway show, “Disaster”, which was very funny. We also went to the Empire State Building, Madame Tussauds, and cruised around the Statue of Liberty.
In April, Ray and I took a two-week trip to China. We arrived in Beijing and departed from Shanghai (stunning harbor).
While there, we walked the Great Wall of China, visited Tiananmen Square, the Terra Cotta Soldiers Excavation Site, the Temple of Heaven, the Summer Palace, the Three Gorges Dam, and took a cruise on the Yangtze River. This was just part of all that we did. While we don’t plan on returning to China, we’d highly recommend this trip of a lifetime!
We made our annual jaunt out to Las Vegas in July, one of the hottest month of the year in the desert! What were we thinking?
We ate at the Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas again and it was amazing, just as we remembered. This time, we experienced the incredible Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace, too.
In early September, I went with Ray to a work conference in Atlanta, Georgia. We went down a few days early and checked out Charleston and Hilton Head, South Carolina (during Hurricane Hermine) and Savannah, Georgia.
Savannah was amazing and I could see us living there. We ate some amazing food including down-home southern cooking at Paula Deen’s restaurant.
In Atlanta, while Ray was at his conference, I went to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum. Together, we visited the Atlanta Zoo and “Chihuly in the Park” at the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Ray also had a conference in Cleveland, Ohio, in late September and I got to spend a few days with Betty (“Mom”), who lives nearby.
This year, we saw four other concerts. Ellie Goulding and Years & Years in Rosemont, Duran Duran and Chic in Las Vegas, the Dixie Chicks in Moline, and the Pet Shop Boys in Chicago.
Let me share these memories from our shows.
The highlight of the year, if I had to choose only one, came in January.
I’ll never forgot the cold winter day in Davenport, Iowa, when I met Hillary Clinton. I wished her good luck and she placed her hand on my shoulder during the selfie.
Sadly, we all know how that turned out in November! Regardless of how you voted, I was very dismayed. But, I hope for the best for the U.S. and the world over the next four years.
That was our 2016 and I can’t wait to see where the road of life takes us in 2017!
ORIGINAL POST: Friday, December 23, 2016, 6:12 a.m.
Two days before Christmas and we have two weather systems that’ll create some travel problems for Iowa and Illinois.
The first system arrives today. With highs of 32°-37°, we’ll see a combination of rain and snow. Northern hometowns will see almost all snow. Along Interstate 80 and to the south, this wintry mix may change over to mostly rain this afternoon.
A “Winter Weather Advisory” goes into effect this morning through 9 p.m. Friday. This includes Jo Daviess and Jackson counties. Snow accumulations there could be 1-3″. For the Quad Cities and along I-80, an inch may accumulate, but only a dusting is expected south.
If you’re traveling across northern Iowa today, 3-6″ of snow will fall there.
We get a break Saturday, but the next system starts moving in late Saturday night and early Christmas morning. With dense fog and drizzle developing and temperatures near freezing, it could become rather slick early Christmas morning, especially north.
As the main system moves in Christmas afternoon and evening, it’ll be all rain because temperatures will warm into the upper-40s and 50s.
We could even hear a few rumbles of thunder Sunday evening.
The front will pass through Sunday night and bring rather blustery conditions with winds approaching 40 miles-per-hour or higher Monday with temperatures crashing throughout the day.
Happy holidays and be safe out there today and this weekend.
Before we begin this year’s countdown, I want to share my #1 songs from the past three years. Last year, it was “Want To Want Me” by Jason Derulo. In 2014, it was “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift and in 2013, Hailey Rowe’s “My Boyfriend Is Gay” was my favorite.
Now, it’s time for me to count down my 20 favorite songs of 2016.
My list started out with 43 and it was difficult narrowing them down. Sorry, The Weeknd! “Starboy” came in at #21, so we’ll have a drink for you and feature it anyway!
#21 “STARBOY” — THE WEEKND FT. DAFT PUNK
“BLUE AIN’T YOUR COLOR” — KEITH URBAN
“FOUR YEARS OF CHANCES” — MARGO PRICE
“ON MY WAY” — CARDIKNOX
“ROSES” — THE CHAINSMOKERS FT. ROZES
“THIS IS WHAT YOU CAME FOR” — CALVIN HARRIS FT. RIHANNA
FLASHBACK BONUS!
That was my #16 favorite song this year and this was my 16th favorite song from last year!
“YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE” — DAVE AUDE FT. OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN & CHLOE LATTANZI
Now, back to my favorites of 2016!
“IN THE NIGHT” — THE WEEKND
“THINK OF ME” — CHRIS YOUNG & CASSADEE POPE
BONUS! BONUS! BONUS!
If you’re not an established country artist, it takes forever for songs to move up the chart. This amazing song was released in March 2015, but it’s still the 36th most played country song of 2016!!! We’re talking 21 months. Crazy!
It’s still one of my favorites and the video is very inclusive!
“STAY A LITTLE LONGER” — THE BROTHERS OSBORNE
“LET ME LOVE YOU — DJ SNAKE FT. JUSTIN BIEBER
“WORK FROM HOME” — FIFTH HARMONY & TY DOLLA $IGN
This is one video where you could mute the sound and just watch, but then you’d miss out on an incredible song!
Bye Camila! I know that Ally, Normani, Dinah, and Lauren will be just fine and I can’t wait for the new music!
“SLUMBER PARTY” — BRITNEY SPEARS FT. TINASHE
“CRASH” — USHER
“SOMEDAY” — MICHAEL BUBLE FT. MEGHAN TRAINOR
“DON’T LET ME DOWN” — THE CHAINSMOKERS FT. DAYA
“LOVE YOURSELF” — JUSTIN BIEBER
“SOMETHING IN THE WAY YOU MOVE” — ELLIE GOULDING
“PILLOWTALK” — ZAYN
FLASHBACK BONUS!
Before we get to this year’s #4, here was my #4 song from 2014.
“ANACONDA” — NICKI MINAJ
“ME TOO” — MEGHAN TRAINOR
“SIT STILL LOOK PRETTY” — DAYA
“YOUTH” — TROYE SIVAN
This was a tough call because I love this song and it was a virtual tie for my favorite song of the year.
“FADED” — ALAN WALKER FT. ISELIN SOLHEIM
19-year-old Norwegian record producer and DJ Alan Walker was only 17 when he produced a version of this song called “Fade” without vocals.
The new version, “Faded”, featuring Norwegian singer Iselin Solheim hit #1 in 17 countries and reached the Top Ten in, at least, ten more countries (add another one if you count the Billboard Dance Club Songs in the U.S., where it went to #4.)
So, here it is — my favorite song of 2016. “Faded” has been viewed almost 828 million times on YouTube!
Now, it’s time to share my least favorite songs of 2016.
#4 “Broccoli” (Big Baby D.R.A.M)
#3 “Black Beatles” (Rae Sremmurd)
#2 “For Free” (DJ Khaled & Drake)
Normally, I wouldn’t show the video for my least favorite song of the year. But, it’s so bad and hideous and the video is just so… indescribable. Here it is!
#1 “M.I.L.F. $” (Fergie)
I seriously can’t leave you on that note. That would be cruel. 🙂
I jumped on “Cake By The Ocean” by DNCE late last year. It was my #6 song of 2015. Meanwhile, it really took off on Top 40 radio this year in the U.S. It’s the 12th most played song of the year.
So, I’m featuring my #6 song of 2015 again. To get us through these cold winter months, let’s just think of “Cake By The Ocean”.
By the way, the DNCE album is my 6th favorite album of 2016.
I shared my 20 favorite movies I saw in 2016 with you yesterday.
If you missed it because of work, real life, or the hustle and bustle of the holidays, here it is again. (It’ll open in a new window, so you won’t lose your place in today’s countdown.
As we kick off my favorite 16 albums of 2016, let’s start with a quick look back at my past favorites.
In 2010, it was “Night Work” by Scissor Sisters. It was “Femme Fatale” by Britney Spears in 2011, “MDNA” by Madonna in 2012, and “Push Rewind” by Chris Wallace in 2013.
There was a tie for my favorite album in 2014 between Erasure’s “The Violet Flame” and Enrique Iglesias’ “Sex And Love”.
Last year, my favorite album was “Deja Vu” by Giorgio Moroder.
Now, let’s kick off my favorites of 2016!
“MATTER” — ST. LUCIA
“THANKS” — MEGHAN TRAINOR
“PAPER GODS” — DURAN DURAN
“A VERY KACEY CHRISTMAS” — KACEY MUSGRAVES
“GLOW” — BRETT ELDREDGE
“START HERE” — MADDIE & TAE
“50” — RICK ASTLEY
“SUPER” — PET SHOP BOYS
“CLOUD NINE” — KYGO
“PICK ME UP” — BRETT KISSEL
“DNCE” — DNCE
“MIDWEST FARMER’S DAUGHTER” — MARGO PRICE
Margo was born in Aledo, Illinois (Mercer County), just 35 miles from the Quad Cities!
“7/27” — FIFTH HARMONY
“SIT STILL, LOOK PRETTY” — DAYA
“NOBODY BUT ME” — MICHAEL BUBLE
This year’s best album is by a repeat performer. “Femme Fatale” from Britney Spears topped my year-end list in 2011.
Her follow-up, “Britney Jean” only ended up at #6 in 2013.
But, Britney’s back in all her “Glory” as my favorite album of 2016.
It’s that time of the year when critics rank the best and worst movies of the year. They get to see movies before the rest of us, so they’ll have Oscar contenders on the list that many of us will see in 2017 and so they’ll likely be on my list next year.
That means you’ll see some movies that won at the Oscars last winter on my “best of” list for 2016.
Additionally, you’ll see a couple of movies on this year’s list that are several years old. When I rank my movies, I include movies that I see for the first time in 2016 regardless of the year it was released.
So, before I start counting down my 20 favorite movies of the year, I want to share my favorites from the past few years.
My favorite movie of 2010 was “The Kids Are All Right” with Annette Benning, Julianne Moore, and Mark Ruffalo. In 2011, my favorite was “Children of God”.
“Weekend” was my favorite movie of 2012 and “Out of the Dark” topped my list in 2013.
My favorite movie of 2014 was “Bridegroom” and last year, it was “Lilting”.
You may have noticed that most of the top movies I listed from 2010 through 2015 were not mainstream. Sadly, LGBT movies don’t get the same distribution and promotion.
It’s now time to start the countdown and I’ll let you in on a secret. While my #1 movie this year is not LGBT, it wasn’t a widely seen movie either (in the U.S).
“THE PURGE: ELECTION YEAR”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $118.4 MILLION
“BEAUTIFUL SOMETHING”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $400,000
*WARNING: R-RATED TRAILER*
“MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $25.1 MILLION
“STONEWALL”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $187,674
Note: This movie was reviled by the LGBT community because it loosely fictionalized the Stonewall events through the character of Danny, a white Midwestern boy (Jeremy Irvine).
However, I know the story of Stonewall and I’ve written about it many times. I know that drag queens, transgender, and people of color were at the forefront of the Stonewall Riots back in 1969. I’ve done my homework.
With that being said, I still enjoyed the movie for what it was — a movie.
I hope that the few people that saw it and weren’t familiar with Stonewall took the time to Google the real story. We should never get our news or learn about history from headlines, social media, or Hollywood.
And, finally, just because I crush on Irvine, that alone doesn’t justify a place in the Top 20.
“PEOPLE YOU MAY KNOW”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: unknown
“BROOKLYN”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $62.1 MILLION
“BURNT”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $36.6 MILLION
“THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $34.9 MILLION
“STEVE JOBS”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $34.4 MILLION
“THE WALK”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $61.2 MILLION
“HOLDING THE MAN”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $909,122
“FORCE MAJEURE”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $1.4 MILLION +
“THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $171.7 MILLION
“MR. HOLMES”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $29.4 MILLION
“ROOM”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $35.4 MILLION
“JOY”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $101.1 MILLION
“THE REVENANT”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $533 MILLION
“FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $27.4 MILLION +
“CAPTAIN FANTASTIC”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $5.9 MILLION
Before revealing my favorite movie of 2016, it’s time for the worst movie I saw this year.
Let me say that Dan Stevens has a chance for redemption in March 2017 with the live action “Beauty and the Beast” movie and John Travolta was incredible in “Saturday Night Live”, “Grease”, and “Swordfish”.
But, “Criminal Activities” was not the movie to see! It was so bad that I won’t even torture you with the trailer.
For much of 2016, I had a five-part BBC America miniseries as my second favorite movie of the year. I mean, if “American Horror Story” can brand itself as this or that to qualify and win Emmy Awards, why can’t I call a miniseries a movie?
But, I decided to share “London Spy” as a must-see bonus!
It’s also a chance to mention the adorable and very talented Ben Whishaw and the amazing Charlotte Rampling.
Okay, focus Anthony!
My favorite movie I saw in 2016 was an Austrian film from 2015 starring the incredible Susanne Wuest and twins, Elias and Lukas Schwarz.
“GOODNIGHT MOMMY”
WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE: $1.2 MILLION +
So, there’s my list.
What are your favorite and least favorite movies you saw in 2016. Let me know.
We all know that Santa lives at the North Pole and it’s pretty cold and snowy there. Well, if you’re out doing Christmas shopping across the Midwest, the weather is rather Christmas-sy or very North Pole-ish.
We picked up 2.8″ of snow this weekend, officially, in the Quad Cities bringing us to 13.8″ for December. But, more importantly, it’s bitterly and dangerously cold.
Sunday morning, I woke up to -9° at my house in Moline, Illinois, and Davenport, Iowa, was even colder at -13° . We saw similar temperatures Monday morning.
This is the coldest morning since late February 2015, almost two years ago, when we reached about -18° in the Quad Cities.
If those temperatures weren’t bad enough, the wind chill early Sunday morning was -35° in Davenport and Clinton.
Temperatures start to warm today and this warming will last through the rest of the week!
That’s my part of the blog to keep you safe. Now let’s have fun since you’re already reading!
CHRISTMAS!
Christmas is only a week away now! Where has this year gone?
I hope you and yours are having a festive holiday season. I’ve only bought four Christmas presents so far. What am I waiting for?
Thank you for taking the time to check out my thoughts and feel free to share yours.
THINGS TO MAKE YOU GO, HMMMM
Now that some stations are playing Christmas tunes twenty-four hours a day and others are sprinkling in a holiday song here and there, I have these questions for the writers of some of the classics.
“Do You Hear What I Hear?” — So “a child shivers in the cold, let us bring him silver and gold”. Why not bring him a blanket or clothes?
“Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer” — “Do you recall the most famous reindeer of all?” Um, if he’s the most famous of all, of course we remember his name. But, can we name the other eight without singing the song?
“I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas” — Wanting one this Christmas? SAID.NO.ONE.EVER
WHAT SONGS MAKE YOU CRINGE?
“Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer” is without a doubt my least favorite Christmas song of all time!
Other songs that make me quickly change the radio station in the car are “I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas” and “Linus And Lucy” from “A Charlie Brown Christmas”.
For Ray, it’s “Santa Baby”.
“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” is not there yet, but it’s definitely getting tired.
MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS BOOK
It’s not secret that Jimmy Carter is my favorite president and after reading his book, “Christmas in Plains” a few years back, it’s one of my Christmas traditions to read it each holiday.
I’m finishing the political book I’m reading now and I’ll dive into the very touching, easy-to-read 155 page book.
President Carter shares stories of Christmases from his childhood, with Rosalynn and his children, in the White House, and more.
Merry Christmas President and Mrs. Carter!
MERRY X-MAS!
So, does seeing “Merry X-Mas” upset you at the holidays?
It doesn’t bother me. However, “Christians” do! Before you have a coronary thrombosis, click here to see what I’m talking about!
So, every day, not just at Christmas, let’s put “Christ” back into “Christian”, too.
READY FOR AN “UNSILENT NIGHT” *
VH1, the older people’s MTV, rang in the Christmas cheer earlier this month with “Unsilent Night”, the latest concert in its “Diva” concert series.
Mariah Carey was the headliner and opening act for this show.
And, before you watch it here, know that as a gay man, I can’t get enough of Mariah Carey’s divaness and her boobs! (As you gasp, you’ll know what I’m taking about from the video or just from the thumbnail image below. There’s no doubt that she wanted those ornaments to be seen!)
I also love the back-up dancers. Who knew Christmas could be so sexy?
The other divas this year included Vanessa Williams, Miss Patti LaBelle, and Chaka Khan.
A VERY MERRY ($$$) MARIAH CHRISTMAS *
Mariah Carey’s holiday tradition of performing shows at the Beacon Theater x is something that I hope I can finally see. Heck, this year, Beyonce and Shania Twain checked out the performance.
While she won’t be singing “All I Want For Christmas”, I’m planning on seeing Mariah and Lionel Richie on tour in the spring of 2017.
Along with her Christmas shows, her Las Vegas residency, her tour with Lionel Richie, and performing on this year’s “Dick Clark’s Rockin New Year Eve” to ring in 2017, Mariah kicked off the holiday season with a seven-minute performance in Toronto, Ontario (Canada).
She performed “Here Comes Santa Claus” and her now iconic classic, “All I Want For Christmas” for a cool million bucks for Saks Fifth Avenue holiday window display unveiling!
SPEAKING OF DIVAS
This performance by Patti LaBelle (without her back-up singers and the words) is classic for all the wrong reasons.
But, Ms. LaBelle is a champion!
READY FOR A “CHRISTMAS PARTY”?
Derrick Barry is the most amazing Britney Spears! Okay, other than the real Britney, bitch!
This Christmas version of “Slumber Party”, “Christmas Party” makes me want to deck the halls!
While this has nothing to do with Christmas, it gives me a chance to show the original “Slumber Party” by Britney Spears and Tinashe, which is now a Top 40 song at pop radio!
It’s already been viewed more than 38 million times in less than a month.
THIS CHRISTMAS IS SUCH A “DRAG”
And, that’s amazing!
One hundred or so Dutch drag queens got together to put together this Christmas medley and it’s amazing!
Ray was scared of some of them, but I loved it. This is what drag is all about.
Warning: This is a rather risque part about eight minutes in. 🙂
Thank you, Lady Galore!
THIS CHRISTMAS GIVE FRUITCAKE SOME LOVE
I’m one of those that absolutely loves fruitcake, but not everyone does.
But, I know some celebrities that do!
Sir Paul McCartney orders a fruitcake from cake designer Fiona Cairns each Christmas and, in early 2011, Cairns was tapped to make the royal wedding cake for Prince William and his future bride, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge.
CONFESSION AT CHRISTMASTIME *
You probably know how very popular James Corden’s “Carpool Karoke” is. If not, he’s joined by celebrties in a car and they sing, talk, laugh, and confess.
Okay, I’ll confess two things — (1) I think James is adorable and I have a tiny crush on the teddy bear and (2) I’ve always loved Mariah Carey and I just can’t get enough of her now! And, I finally get to see her in concert in May in Nashville, Tennessee!
But, first things first, check out this all-star version of Mariah’s incredible Christmas hit (again).
Love it!
CHRISTMAS TRIVIA TO DAZZLE FRIENDS
During the Christmas/Hanukkah season, more than 1.76 billion candy canes will be made.
The poinsettia, traditionally an American Christmas flower, originally grew in Mexico; where it was known as the “Flower of the Holy Night”.
It was first brought to America by Joel Poinsett in 1829.
Jesus Christ, the son of Mary, was born in a cave, not in a wooden stable.
Back then, animals were kept in caves because they were much warmer and the carpenters of Jesus’ day were really stone cutters.
Thus, wood was not widely used. So, whenever you see a Christmas nativity scene with a wooden stable, that’s the “American” version, not the Biblical one.
And, this is the late, great, golden retriever, Miss ABBA, wanting to be a part of the “Americanized” Christmas nativity scene.
Again,I hope that Bible story and information is correct since I didn’t verify it. The big man upstairs didn’t get back with me on that one.
CHARITY & CHRISTMAS
While we feast at Christmas, one of my favorite songs of the holiday season is, sadly, about not having enough to eat and starvation.
Can you believe that “Do They Know It’s Christmas” was released more than 30 years ago?
Between the single’s release in December 1983 and 1989, it sold 11.7 million singles worldwide.
It was the best selling single in U.K. until “Candle in the Wind” by Elton John in 1997 following Priness Diana’s death.
FORGET THAT OLD “12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS”
The Christmas classic is tired and so outdated. Do we really care about “Lords a Leaping”, “Maids a Milking”, and all that stuff.
Why not infuse the song (and video) with botox, prancing gays, naked men, former husband, and giant breasts.
I bet I have your attention now!
MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONG
“O Holy Night” is my favorite traditional Christmas song, but my favorite of all-time is a song that was first released in 1970.
It was re-issued in 1974 and 1977. It’s The Carpenters’ “Merry Christmas Darling” by my favorite vocalist of all-time, Karen Carpenter.
And, what song is now my second-favorite Christmas song?….
CHRISTMAS WOULDN’T BE CHRISTMAS *
without Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas”.
What did we do before this now-classic, 1994 hit was released that’s had more than 226.7 million views?
THAT’S IT
With all the craziness in the world, make it the best in your little part of it!
Anthony
P.S. Did you figure out the what the * denoted in the blog? Mariah “visions”, of course. 🙂 Leave the “visions of sugarplums” for ” ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas”!
P.S. 2
I hope you have a very Merry Christmas. I hope it’s fun of love and joy. Most of all, I hope you’re not screaming “You Ruined My Christmas” to anyone this year.
Here are the Supreme Fabulettes, thanks to the one and only Boy George, who directed the video and co-wrote the song.
ORIGINAL POST: Saturday, December 17, 2016, 1:12 p.m.
Good Saturday afternoon!
Two things to point out on this 1 p.m. update.
The snow is closing in on the Quad Cities.
Also, ahead of the front that’s bringing the snow, we’re around 20°.
Behind this front, it’s already 0° across northwestern Iowa and the winds chills are around -15° to -20°.
We’re still under a “Winter Weather Advisory” until midnight Saturday for about one to three inches of wind-blown snow.
Also, Saturday night and Sunday, as temperatures drop well below zero Saturday night and much of Sunday, the gusty winds will produce dangerous wind chills of -20° to -40°.
All of early Iowa and northern Illinois are under either a “Wind Chill Advisory” or a “Wind Chill Warning” from 9 p.m. Saturday through noon Sunday.
UPDATED POST: Friday, December 16, 2016, 4:37 p.m.
Light freezing rain and light snow are already being reported across Iowa and Illinois Friday afternoon. This will make roadways slippery tonight.
After a break in the wintry mix later tonight into Saturday morning, a strong cold front blasts through the area early Saturday afternoon and temperatures crash into the single digits shortly after dark and well below zero into Sunday morning.
This front will also bring several hours of light to moderate snow and this is when we’ll see our main accumulation. Unfortunately, it’ll also be blown around by strong winds causing driving nightmares.
Snowfall totals below are still on target.
I’ve also been talking about the dangerous wind chills that will rush in as the storm departs.
Here are the counties that will be under a “Wind Chill Advisory” and a “Wind Chill Warning” from 9 p.m. Saturday through noon Sunday.
It’ll feel like -20° to -40° during this time!
Be safe out there this weekend!
Anthony
ORIGINAL POST: Friday, December 16, 2016, 5:49 a.m.
The third weekend winter storm in as many weeks gets underway Friday and will last through much of Saturday.
Bitterly cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills follow Saturday Night through Monday morning.
A “Winter Weather Advisory” goes into effect at noon Friday across our northern hometowns and for the rest of the Mississippi and Illinois Valleys Friday evening. This advisory runs through midnight Saturday.
After a quiet Friday morning, light snow will develop in our western and southwestern hometowns later this morning. The snow spreads across all of the area Friday afternoon into Friday night and early Saturday.
It’s looking more likely that warmer air will be pulled into this system along and south of Interstate 80. This will cause the snow to mix with and change over to sleet and then freezing rain.
Across our northern hometowns, it’ll stay in the form of snow.
We get a break from the snow and wintry mix Saturday morning, but snow will re-develop again by Saturday afternoon and last for about six hours.
This is when we’ll see most of our snow accumulation. The snow ends by midnight Saturday night.
The heaviest snow will be from Maquoketa, Iowa, to Mount Carroll, Illinois, northward. Four inches or more will accumulate there.
Along Interstate 80 and in the Quad Cities, I still think 2-4″ of new snow will fall.
South of the Quad Cities from around Burlington, Iowa, to Monmouth and Galesburg, Illinois, an inch or two will fall, but they’ll also see some light ice accumulations.
BITTER COLD FOLLOWS
On top of the snow (and ice) accumulations, bitterly cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills return.
When you wake up Sunday and Monday mornings, lows will be around -10° in the Quad Cities and even colder to the north.
Once you factor in the wind, it’s going to feel like -20° to -40°. It only takes minutes for frostbite to set in.
Highs Sunday will stay below zero to the north and near zero in the Quad Cities. Southern hometown will rise to the single digits.
By the middle of next week, temperatures will rebound back into the 30s.
UPDATED POST: Thursday, December 15, 2016, 4:20 p.m.
As the bitter cold temperatures and wind chills from Thursday morning eases, we’re getting closer to our next winter storm.
A “Winter Weather Advisory” has now been issued for Friday evening through midnight Saturday for all of the Mississippi and Illinois Valleys.
While there may be some light snow tonight to the west and northwest of the Quad Cities, our snow storm kicks in Friday afternoon and evening.
By Friday night, while it remains snow across our northern hometowns, the snow will mix with or change to freezing rain through Saturday morning in our southern hometowns. We’ll likely see a light accumulation of ice there.
The heaviest of the snow will come Saturday afternoon into the evening hours. The snow will end before midnight Saturday.
Accumulations will be higher north (4″ or so). I’m still thinking 2-4″ in the Quad Cities and along Interstate 80 with 1-2″ in our southern hometowns.
Join me for “Local 4 News This Morning” Friday from 5-7 a.m. for the very latest.
Anthony
UPDATED POST: Thursday, December 15, 2016, 12:44 p.m.
A “Winter Weather Advisory” goes into effect at noon Friday and runs through 6 p.m. Saturday for Clinton and Jackson counties in Iowa and for Carroll, Jo Daviess, and Whiteside counties in Illinois.
Early projected snowfall totals and storm timing details are in the text below.
By the way, the “Wind Chill Advisory” has expired.
Anthony
ORIGINAL POST: Thursday, December 15, 2016, early morning
There are many weather concerns that we’ll be dealing with over the next several days.
A “Wind Chill Advisory” in effect through 10 a.m. today for much of the Mississippi and Illinois Valleys. While temperatures will drop to around zero to -5° Thursday morning, it’ll feel more like -15° to -30°.
Our next winter storm begins to affect some of our northern and western hometowns later tonight with some light snow. While this will cause some slick spots, accumulations will be on the low side.
The snow really kicks in Friday afternoon into Friday night and early Saturday. There are indications that enough warm air will be pulled into this system south and east of the Quad Cities to cause the snow to change over to sleet and then freezing rain.
As you know, ice accumulations on the roadways, trees, and power lines are much worse than just snow.
This wintry mix will change back over to snow Saturday afternoon. Across our northern hometowns, this event will likely be all snow.
Now let’s talk about possible snow accumulations.
I advise you to keep up on the latest forecast because these numbers could change or shift north or south depending on the path of the storm and how much warm air is brought into the system.
I think the heaviest snow will be 4″ or more from around Clinton, Iowa, to Sterling, Illinois, northward.
Along Interstate 80 and in the Quad Cities, I think 2-4″ of snow will accumulate.
South of the Quad Cities from around Burlington, Iowa, to Monmouth and Galesburg, Illinois, an inch or two will fall. This area may also see some ice accumulation.
Once this storm departs Saturday night, bitterly cold and dangerously low temperatures will return.
When you wake up Sunday and Monday mornings, lows will be about -10° in the Quad Cities and even colder to the north. When you add in the wind, wind chills could be as low as -20° to -40°. It only takes a short period of time outdoors for frostbite to set in.
Highs Sunday will likely stay below zero to the north and near zero in the Quad Cities.
Later next week, temperatures will rebound to the 20s and 30s.
Again, keep up on the latest forecast with this incoming winter storm.
Temperatures Tuesday evening dropped to below zero north of the Quad Cities before southerly winds brought in slowly rising temperatures.
Sterling, Illinois, dropped to -5°, while Davenport dropped to zero.
The coldest air of the season arrives tonight and Thursday morning.
Low temperatures will drop to below zero across all of the Mississippi and Illinois Valleys. When the winds are factored in, it’ll feel like -20° to -30°, which is very dangerous if you have to be out for any period of time.
A “Wind Chill Advisory” goes into effect Wednesday evening through 10 a.m. Thursday.
Highs Thursday will likely stay in the single digits in our northern hometowns to around 12° in the Quad Cities and 15° in our southern hometowns.
NOW, LET’S TALK SNOW!
Light snow will break out late Thursday night into Friday morning. The best chance of seeing light accumulations during that time period will be around the Quad Cities to the northwest.
Snow will really kick in Friday afternoon into Saturday morning. South and east of the Quad Cities, warm air aloft could cause the snow to change to sleet and then freezing rain.
While that’ll cut back on snow accumulations there, icy conditions will make it more dangerous.
The wintry mix will change back to snow Saturday before ending by evening.
Several inches of snow are likely. By Thursday, I’ll have a much better idea of accumulations.
It gets even colder Sunday with highs only in the single digits with a low of -10° Sunday night. That’s the temperature and not the wind chill!
The bottom line: Bitterly cold temperatures through early next week and a winter storm is likely this Friday and Saturday.
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