November’s snow total at the KVOE studios was better than three times more than Emporia had received the past three winter seasons combined.
National Weather Service meteorologist Bryan Baerg:
Here at the KVOE studios, we received around 9 inches of snow as a result of three separate November snow events, including the blizzard from Nov. 25. Last year, we had an inch of snow for the entire winter season. The 2016-17 winter had 1.8 inches of snow, and the 2015-16 winter had a trace of snowfall.
Baerg says there has been a notable shift in the weather pattern this year versus past years. It all starts with a change in temperatures.
As far as where November 2018’s snowfall stands in relation to other November totals, that information is not immediately available through the Weather Service’s Topeka office. However, the Wichita office has released some historic data for Cottonwood Falls, which picked up 7.2 inches — its fourth-highest autumn snowfall since 1905 and the highest fall total for the town since 1975. The Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve had 10.2 inches of snow in October and November, although historical data from that location is pending.
Snow totals could increase by the weekend. The Weather Service is watching what it calls the possibility for a “multi-inch” snow event Friday and Saturday. Forecast models are not yet in agreement on track or snow amounts, so we’ll update you as warranted on KVOE and KVOE.com.
