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Snow storm hits Columbus AFB; causes work delays, winter fun

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jacob Corbin
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Columbus Air Force Base and the local area were hit by a winter snow storm the evening of Jan. 9, resulting in delayed reporting the following day.

Just over three inches of snow fell.  The record snowfall for Columbus AFB was just over 11 inches in February 1960, according to Capt. Bart Hopkins, 14th Operations Support Squadron Weather Flight Commander.

Captain Hopkins said this recent snowfall at Columbus AFB, and most others like it this time of year, are caused when warm gulf air impacts cold air coming from the north.

"It depends mostly on three things: the track of the (low pressure front), the amount of cold air coming in and the moisture available," he said.

"In deep winter, when we have strong cold air moving into the area, if we get a Low that moves to the south of us or along the coast, we historically will see between one and 12 inches of snow." Captain Hopkins added. "If the Low tracks over us we just get a dusting of snow. If the Low tracks north of us, we see flurries or no snow at all. This is because the Low forms the boundary between the colder air mass to the north, and the warmer one to the South. The collision of different air masses gives us the snow."

According to the National Weather Service, locations in extreme Northern Mississippi received up to 10 inches of snow between Jan. 9 and 10.

Base leadership began planning and preparing for the possibility of an unusual snow storm on Jan. 7, after receiving recommendations and weather predictions from the base weather flight.

After watching the storm make its way across the U.S., it was decided to delay reporting the morning after the snow hit till noon, in order to ensure the safe travel of base personnel.

"When we make our recommendations (on severe weather response) we are mostly looking at hazardous road conditions and whether people can travel safely," Captain Hopkins said. He added another consideration taken into account is whether local area schools and child care facilities will be closed in response to the weather.

The National Weather Service's website, www.weather.gov, states that in 2009 there were 12 fatalities associated with vehicle accidents in winter storms in the U.S.

While the majority of the base spent Monday morning warm in their beds or facing the chilling weather to play in the snow, some key and essential personnel braved the cold to keep the base running smoothly.

In addition to the security forces personnel manning the snow-covered gates, 14th Civil Engineer Squadron members were clearing the roads of ice, snow and debris in order to keep travel safe on-base.

Answering the likely question most weather professionals expect - whether more snow is likely in the coming days for the base - Captain Hopkins said it's highly unlikely such a heavy snowfall will be repeated.

"Through January, there are a couple of days with a slim chance for snow flurries, but not enough to accumulate on the ground," he said.