Austin experiencing extreme snow meltdown
Published 8:09 am Wednesday, February 16, 2011
It feels like Punxatawny Phil was right.
Spring seems to be coming early. The Austin area has lost more than half its snow depth since Sunday, dropping from 14 inches to around 5 inches, according to Brad Adams, a hydrometerological technician with the National Weather Service.
Melted snow run-off trickles down an incline at Southgate Elementary. A good amount of snow has melted during this rare February thaw. — Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The melt will be in full swing this week.
“It could be pretty much a done deal by Friday morning,” Adams said.
After a high near 44 on Wednesday, forecasts call for a high of 55 Thursday.
After so much snow in December, Adams said the early thaw comes as a surprise.
“Obviously in February we don’t typically get a thaw,” he said.
Austin lost a great deal of its snow cover early on, dropping from around 20 inches in December to around 10 inches in early January, Adams said.
But don’t break out the Speedos just yet. A cold front is expected next week, and more snow is common in March.
