Cyclone Yasi hit Queensland with winds gusting to 285 km/hr (177mph). There may have been brief sustained winds at 300km/hr, and this makes Yasi a strong cat 5 cyclone at landfall. The town of Tully has been hit very hard, with 90% of the buildings heavily damaged, according to ABC News Australia. Late reports indicate heavy damage all along the area near landfall.

Meanwhile, the blizzard has left 21 inches of snow in Chicago. Much of the region from Missouri to Ohio is covered with 1-2 feet of snow. Frigid Arctic air is flowing deep into the Southeast, behind the blizzard, and there may be more coming.

Next week may bring even more bitter cold and snow, with long range numerical guidance indicating a polar airmass moving rapidly southward.

Once again the Ground Hog blows the forecast! Nonetheless, happy Ground Hog Day- it’s the meteorologists official holiday. We let the little rat do the forecast today!

Update:
Roger and Kathy Banaszak of Waukesha Wisc. sent this photo of the aftermath of the great blizzard.