A Different Kind of System 100 Years Ago

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By Shawn Cable

We lucked out this week.  If temperatures would have been in the 20s or low 30s, we could have had a foot or more of snow across a good chunk of South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska. Fortunately, it was warm and we had rain instead of snow... most places did, anyhow.  

100 years ago today, however, it was a different story.  A big system moved across the central plains and cold air was much more abundant.  21 inches of snow fell in Sioux Falls with  strong northwest wind gusts to 50 mph creating blizzard conditions. 

The technology we have today makes forecasting a storm like this much easier.  I'll admit, the forecasts aren't always perfect, but if you think we're wrong a lot now, imagine what the forecast accuracy was like one hundred years ago.  There was no radar, no satellite, no weather balloons for upper-air measurement, no hourly observation network, no computer forecast models, etc. Weather observations were taken once daily (even less frequently in many rural areas) and sent to the US Weather Bureau in Washington, DC via telegraph. . 

Here's a link to an image of the February 9, 1909 US weather map. If you want to see a higher resolution version, go to the NOAA Daily Weather Map Archive.   You can pull daily weather maps all the way back to 1871.  You'll need to download the DjVu plug in for your browser to see the maps.  Don't worry, it's a quick and safe install.  Here's the link.

Check them out and you'll see that weather forecasting has come a long way, baby! 

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The following comments do not necessarily represent the views of KSFY.com. Users have agreed to these terms and in doing so accept full responsibility for their comments. Moderation is limited.

Tuesday, May 19 at 8:12 AM Carrie wrote ...

I don't mind Cable's hair. It's puffy. He doesn't seem to blog much though.

Tuesday, May 19 at 5:10 AM happy wrote ...

Do you think he'll get a haircut first or update his blog???

Wednesday, May 13 at 6:41 AM Marilyn H. wrote ...

Good Lord Shawn! Get your hair cut.. Also write a new blog!

Friday, May 8 at 5:05 PM Waylon wrote ...

I miss Shawn's blog. It's usually so darn interesting.

Monday, May 4 at 9:23 AM Loyal Viewer wrote ...

Shawn! You Need to write a new blog my friend!

Friday, May 1 at 11:01 PM Barry Allen wrote ...

Maybe Shawn Cable hasn't updated his blog because he's busy dealing with his SWINE FLU!!

Thursday, Apr 30 at 1:12 PM Tiffany wrote ...

New blog pppapapaplease!

Friday, Apr 24 at 4:37 AM happy wrote ...

Shawn, it really is time for an update and a haircut. No excuse for such procrastination!!

Monday, Apr 13 at 7:42 PM Adrian wrote ...

So do you update your blog every time Hailey's Comet comes around Cable?

Friday, Apr 10 at 10:58 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Shawn Cable is a werido i would not want to ever meet him scary haha

Tuesday, Apr 7 at 3:46 PM sak wrote ...

Shawn weelcome back, we to always watched Keloland. We have found that in the Watertown area, we are never much mentioned. Almost like we are not in the state. However, we notice at KSFY they have news from all over, not just Sioux Falls. We who live in Watertown appreciate the fact that once in awhile, you mention Watertown. Yes we are a community and yes we want to hear what happens in our area and not just Sioux Falls. Even if it is about nasty weather conditions. Thanks.

Saturday, Apr 4 at 9:53 PM Lar wrote ...

If I had a daughter, I'd hope she'd marry a man like Shawn Cable. Or at least Travis Fossing if Cable already was engaged.

Saturday, Apr 4 at 9:04 AM Lar wrote ...

Think of how the prediction of weather is going to change by the time Cable gets around to updating his blog!

Thursday, Apr 2 at 10:54 AM NEW SUCKS wrote ...

Wow you people are freaks get a life and maybe get out of the midwest for once.

Wednesday, Apr 1 at 2:47 PM Dude wrote ...

Shawn Cable doesn't make mistakes. I'm sure it was going to snow 6-12 inches but God changed his mind at the last minute. Shawn Cable is good but he's not a mind reader.

Tuesday, Mar 31 at 2:51 PM anne wrote ...

How is it possible that 8-12" are predicted and then nothing, not even 2inches here in Brookings? And that after the many preps one goes through to prepare. It's kinda of frustrating....

Sunday, Mar 29 at 2:26 PM Lena wrote ...

Time for a new blog Cable?

Sunday, Mar 22 at 12:16 PM Dylan wrote ...

Shawn Cable=Ratings 4 KSFY.

Wednesday, Mar 18 at 1:27 PM Shawn Cable owned you "jen" wrote ...

Hi Shawn!

Thursday, Mar 5 at 6:23 PM Todd wrote ...

Cable rules, Schreck drools.

Saturday, Feb 28 at 12:43 PM Shawn Cable is the only reason I watch KSFY wrote ...

When are you going to come around to your senses and give Shawn his own show? It's not like ABC is rolling out hit after hit. The guy is a star and needs a new platform to shine. Wise up you suits and give Shawn Cable his due!!!!

Wednesday, Feb 18 at 5:07 PM Richard wrote ...

Oh Jen you are so funny and smart for finding that error. Okay bye.

Tuesday, Feb 10 at 10:54 AM Shawn Cable wrote ...

Thanks, Jen... I guess the spell check didn't know that I wanted to use "luck" instead. :)

Tuesday, Feb 10 at 7:57 AM jen wrote ...

Hey Shawn - thanks for the new blog. However, you need to check your spelling in the first line. Did we LICK out or LUCK out. :)

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