This is a helmet-cam  video   of a skier buried by an avalanche and rescued.  As the skier begins his run, you can see the snow "fracture" at the tip of his skis which is the beginning of the slide.  Avalanches occur just that quickly.  Always obey safety rules and stay out of "back country."   Avalanche Safety Rules  at the link.

UPDATE III, 9:55pm Tuesday:  Blizzard conditions appear likely in Kansas and Nebraska to the East of U.S. 81 starting during the morning Thursday (Christmas Eve).   It also appears likely that travel on Interstate 35 between Kansas City and Oklahoma's U.S. 412/64 after noon Thursday into Christmas Day will be difficult, if not impossible.  The same will be true on U.S. 400 from Greensburg east to the Missouri border.    Ice storm conditions may occur in Iowa.  With high winds, power outages are possible.   AccuWeather has the latest on the major winter storm that will affect the Central U.S.  WeatherData   and AccuWeather partner on this decluttered, winterized radar display, available  here. There is also a possibility of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Coverage  here.  The NWS Storm Prediction Center issued this map of the probability of severe thunderstorms on Wednesday at 11:30am today.  Note:  30%...

The Wall Street Journal  reminds us of the economic importance of weather. NEW YORK -- Monday marked the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, and the snowstorm that blanketed the East Coast this weekend was just the latest reminder that weather holds a tremendous sway on economic activity. Winter's impact presents a particularly big risk to the outlook. The second half of 2009 has seen fairly robust activity as the U.S. has come out of recession. But if the weather drags down first-quarter growth, expect to hear more talk of a double-dip downturn. Economists will have to separate the problems caused by Mother Nature versus the longer-term weakness from deleveraging and high unemployment. More here.

In my forthcoming book, Warnings:  The True Story of How Science Tamed the Weather,  I tell the story of how weather science has created an highly effective system that saves countless lives during hurricanes and tornadoes, and prevents airline crashes. I did not include winter storms because I doubted that anyone would want to read a 1,000 page book.  That said, meteorology has made tremendous strides with all  types of storms.  How much progress?  Take a look at this map of WeatherData's forecast of the weekend blizzard with the actual snowfall amounts in red numerals (click on image to enlarge). Pretty amazing, isn't it? Our presentations teach businesses how to adapt the best of weather science into their operation and risk management strategies to increase both profits and safety.  You can learn more at our  web site .    Call us today or after the holidays.

During the last ten days, we have seen several groups of sunspots.  Is the the sun coming out of its funk?  If so, it would lessen the chances of global cooling that some have warned of.  The only thing we can do is watch, because there is no scientific expertise (at least that I know of) at forecasting sunspots in the short term. December 18th                       December 21                        For much of the last three years, we have experienced a "blank sun."  At times in the past, extended periods of low sunspot activity have been associated with cooling such as the Little Ice Age.  It will be interesting to see how this plays out. By the way, if you wish to view sunspots, you can look at real-time solar images  here.

The light green is a blizzard watch.  Pinkish colors are winter storm warnings.  The bluish colors are winter storm watches.  Compare to this morning's map below.  I suspect the blizzard watch is going to have been scooted a bit east in Kansas and Nebraska. In Wichita and Omaha, try to have your travel completed by 11pm Wednesday evening.  In Kansas City, by 4pm Thursday.  Icing conditions may develop in northern Illinois, including Chicago, on Thursday, so more problems are likely at the Chicago airports.  Iowa will also see freezing rain with potential ice storm conditions as winds increase in speed Thursday. Please take this storm seriously and plan your travel around the weather. UPDATE:  6:55pm Central.  Before this storm is finished, I believe the following interstate highways will be closed at one location or another:  29, 35, 135, 70, 80, 90 and, possibly, 76.  If you travel the Kansas Turnpike, you can check out the ...

From NOAA.  The impending blizzard will whiten much of Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska that are currently enjoying bare ground. AccuWeather.com  has coverage of the powerful storm heading for the Plains and Midwest.