Another Round of Snow

Just when we got out of the ice box and felt mild temperatures just for a day, another storm is upon us...

A Winter Storm Watch (which will likely be upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning as the storm arrives) is in effect for the entire area Wednesday morning though Wednesday evening. 

I remembered looking at the RADAR earlier this morning...needless to say, I knew what was developing in the Gulf, but I certainly did not expect this low to blow up as big as it did when I just checked the latest RADAR images. The models were forecasting this low to pick up a lot of moisture from the gulf then, moving up the East coast. Before it makes is trek Northward, it created issues for Tornado Warnings through Florida (more on that next post...) 

RADAR Image as of 1/25 0048 UTC Courtesy of NWS/NOAA

The low will intensify as it moves Northeast and become a closed gale low as it moves past the Mid-Atlantic States. Through the day Wednesday (for NJ/PA/NY at least), snow showers are possible. For the most part, a wintry mixing mess will most likely be the case before it changes completely to snow in the early evening hours. The main event to  keep an eye on is that timing of the snow Wednesday evening. The heaviest snow is forecasted to fall just around rush hour lasting through the evening, ending early Thursday. 

Another snow day for the kids? Perhaps...

Guidance is showing heavy snow banding, especially along the I-95 corridor; slicing NJ in half creating the difference between the heavier snow accumulations and just a few inches. The heaviest bands could allow for 1-2 inch per hour snow fall rates along with the possibility for thunder snow.

Considering the source, from which all this precipitation is from, will make for a rather heavy snow. Get ready to break your backs with this clean up! Snow ratios can be 8 to 1 or even 10 to 1. This means: eight inches of  liquid equivalent rain per every one inch of snow. I am not looking forward to this clean up. If the forecasted snow accumulations are correct, with such heavy snow, down trees and power lines are possible so make sure you have emergency action planned. 

Forecasted Snow Totals 1/25 Courtesy of NWS

As with any storm, any deviation of the storm (30-50 mile shift of the storm) will make or break this forecast; more or less snow and such. Just prepare for the worst...

If we get another eight inches of snow before Monday evening, this December-January will be the snowiest December-January on record! 

The snow will end early Thursday morning. Hopefully the clean up will be in time for the morning commuters. 

Mostly sunny skies and cold temperatures will again be the weather hi-light for the remainder of the week.