Biggest snowstorm of year to hit the Midwest

The Midwest is bracing for what is being advertised as the biggest snowstorm of the year by meteorologists. Early Thursday the storm will move into parts of Nebraska and Kansas, dumping snow that will total up to more than a foot in some areas, according to the National Weather Service. The system will move into Illinois and spread wind and snow across the DeKalb area late Thursday into Thursday night. Total snow accumulations are expected to be in the three to five inch range, but some spots could see up to six inches. The high temperature will be near 28 degrees.

Cold but sunny weekend on tap

The snow is forecast to taper off to flurries on Friday but little or no accumulations are expected. Saturday will feature sunny skies with temperatures in the 20s and Sunday warms up into the 30s, but clouds will be on the increase with an approaching system that threatens to bring rain and snow to the area on Monday.

Arctic Sea ice death spiral continues

An alarming loss of Arctic sea ice has been reported by a recent study by researchers at the University of Washington working on the PIOMAS model. The report reveals that sea ice on the Arctic ice cap has decreased by 75-80 percent since 1979 and that the ice loss may be accelerating faster than anticipated.

Why should I care about arctic ice?

Scientists say that increased ice melt may add extra moisture and heat to the Earth’s atmosphere and create more superstorms like Sandy, which devastated parts of the East Coast last year. They also warn of sea level rise and the heating of permafrost regions that would release large amounts of carbon into the atmosphere and propel even more global warming.