For practically most of the state, today's snow storm will be the first measurable snow of the season. For some locations, it is expected to be a significant snow event with totals over six inches. Even with meager totals, this snow will be significant as travelers are not prepared for winter driving and so accidents will likely be plentiful. Is it common to have such a large snowfall event to start the season? The featured chart displays the season's first snowfall each year for Des Moines and the period of days that snowfall stuck around. Early season snowfall has a difficult time sticking around as soil temperatures are still warm and cold air masses have yet to become established for the winter season. The average first event is jut over an inch, so large events are certainly uncommon to start the season.

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Tags:   snow