The Northeast Weather Blog...

Messy winter storm...

Posted by: Zachary Labe, 8:36 PM GMT on November 24, 2008

"Afternoon Thoughts" (Updated 11/24)
Well what a wintry week it has been here in Pennsylvania with some very unusual lake effect snows. So here I will try to summarize what happened with the lake effect snow to make it so far reaching. During the beginning of the week a clipper system caused some light snows across far southern Pennsylvania, but it did not amount to anything. Lake effect machine then fired up with amounts in Warren County near 16inches as some short-fetched bands reached over the region. Elsewhere some other heavy accumulations occured in the Laurel Highlands with 6inches being reported at Mt. Davis in Somerset County. Then a second clipper system bringing the coldest air of the season moved in for Thursday causing a widespread .5-1.5inches of snow across northern Pennsylvania and also creating a light coating of snow as far south as Harrisburg during the morning Thursday. By Thursday late afternoon and evening a long Huron-Erie Connector streamer formed with the northwest flow and was enhanced by a mesovortex over Lake Erie. The streamer went from Erie-Bradford-Lock Haven-Lewisburg-Selinsgrove-Reading-West Chester-Philadelphia. Within that narrow band some very heavy snow accumulations occurred with nearly 11inches falling near St Marys in Elk County and 4.5inches near Lewisburg in Snyder County. Overnight the band remained relatively stationary, but drifted south affecting areas such as Bellefonte in Centre County and Wisconsico in Dauphin County giving those areas 1-2inches. The snow band then weakened by Friday morning and gave way to a shortwave that moved across the Mason-Dixon line enhancing the lake effect snows and drawing them into far southern regions. Areas like Harrisburg-Lebanon-Reading saw a decent 3inches of snow Friday morning with southern areas Gettysburg-York-Lancaster seeing some light snow totals from .5-1.5inches of snow. Areas in the northwestern Philadelphia suburbs also saw some light amounts. A break then occurred midday for southern areas, while snow broke out over snow belts delivering Pittsburgh up to 3inches of snow and parts of the Laurel Highlands an additional 4-7inches of snow. A new Huron-Erie streaming band began to form later in the day, but was broken up and not very organized. Still though intense core cells developed in the snow showers with near 45dbz causing whiteout conditions from the Selinsgrove-Harrisburg-York corridor delivering another 1-3inches of snow for those areas. By later Friday night snow was mainly confined to northern areas with the northwest snow belts seeing quite a bit of snow near 6inches in parts of Warren and McKean Counties. Also the Mercer-Crawford-Erie corridor saw a decent amount of snow. Later that night bands shifted southward in western Pennsylvania dropping 1-2 more inches in Pittsburgh and up to 5inches for counties immediately north of Alleghany County. Saturday rolled around with scattered snow showers, but a definite Huron-Erie streamer once again that then moved across State College-Lewistown-Harrisburg-Hershey, becoming the classic 322 streamer. This band eventually produced up to 3inches in areas just south of I-81 in Dauphin County. Finally by Saturday night the snow ended for all of Pennsylvania and resulted in official record lows for some areas including Williamsport that tied their record of 15degrees. It was quite an unusual wintry November event.

"Current Surface Plot"

(Courtesy of HPC)

"Regional Radar"

(Courtesy of Wunderground)

"Regional Advisories"

(Courtesy of NOAA)

"Forecast Discussion" (Updated 11/24)
A complex weather system is headed our way for the beginning of the week followed by a more cyclonic flow bringing down lake effect snow showers across much of the snow belts resulting in major accumulations. Then a storm system approaches the region for the weekend with some leftover stagnant cold air that could cause another wintry mess. Low pressure system currently moving across parts of the Ohio Valley with move across the region, while a secondary low pressure forms off the coast causing the trough to become negatively tilted, but swings back around in New York State as a cut-off low. Ahead of the low pressure in the Ohio Valley warm air advection with southwesterly winds is causing temperatures to warm above freezing across the western part of the state. Meanwhile cold air is hanging tough across central and northern Pennsylvania. Temperatures in the 1000-500 column remain marginal right around freezing from Clearfield to State College to Williamsport on northward. But those thicknesses will be dropping overnight slowly from west to east. 850s will see a slight rise, but should stay at or slightly below 0C for most areas, except extreme southwestern Pennsylvania. Precipitation will break out across all of Pennsylvania with snowfall falling in some areas for the immediant wave as evaporational cooling and marginal temperatures aloft are just cold enough for snow as far south as Harrisburg. But overnight warm air advection should change over most areas to rain, but with past history cold air does like to hang tough and that is why frozen precipitation will remain possible over north-central Pennsylvania mountains and valleys throughout the night changing over to all snow by morning. Ice accumulations from freezing rain could occur in the northern Laurels up to Du Bois. This ice accretion will occur quite a bit for elevations above 2000ft where ice amounts may go up to .25inches. Sleet amounts will be widespread across central Pennsylvania near State College ranging from 1-2inches. Snowfall will be highly elevation specific overnight with up to 5-6inches of snow across the northern tier counties. Parts of the northeast mountains in Wayne County could see up to 7inches of snow as they stay under a strong deformation band. Overnight energy will shift to new coastal low and temperatures aloft and at bounday layer will fall making a changeover from rain to snow from west to east. Looks like a pretty defined deformation band will form across parts of central and northeastern Pennsylvania. If this band is strong enough as trough becomes negatively titled there could be some additional snowfall across the Susquehanna Valley. But by late Tuesday all areas will be in snow showers with additional accumulations from storm system up to 2inches. Low pressure will move across New York State and become a weakening cut-off low creating a cyclonic flow across the state with a west-northwesterly flow for lake effect snow through Thursday morning. High pressure moves in for control for late in week before a generally weak system moves in for weekend. That will need to be monitored later this week. Overall temperatures this week stay below normal with a very wintry feel to the air.

Snow map for Monday through Tuesday evening...

*Note this does not include lake effect snow...

"Regional Satellite"

(Courtesy of Penn State Meteo.)

"Current Water Vapor Loop"

(Courtesy of Penn State Meteo.)

"Weekly Forecasts" (Updated 11/24)
Tuesday- Tuesday is looking to be a very wintry day across the state as low pressure off the coast begins to move inland keeping the flow west of the low around west-northwest. And with a cold blast of air and decent lapse rates, some pretty significant lake effect snow will start up across the snowbelts particularily in the Laurel Highlands during the day Tuesday. During the morning hours most of the precipitation will have shifted over to snow with a colder blast of air. A deformation band of snow may form on the cold side of the state affecting parts of northeastern and central Pennsylvania, possibily into the Susquehanna Valley with snow accumulations up to 2inches. Meanwhile winds will become gustier at times to near 30mph with moisture coming off the lake. The near westerly flow will bring significant snow bands to much of the state, but particularily the southwestern Laurel Highlands in Fayette and Somerset Counties. Some of the bands will be capable of snow rates up to 2inches per hour across the mountains. Orographic snow will also be ongoing in other parts of the western half of Pennsylvania with snow bands possibility into the Pittsburgh metro by dark. Snow bands may also shift up into the Erie plateau by dark. Highs will be several degrees below normal with them generally under 40degrees, except for eastern Pennsylvania. Snow accumulations across western Pennsylvania will be near 1-3inches relatively widespread with definitely higher amounts. Snow bands will develop further overnight with slightly more west-northwest flow and become quite organized overnight with all snowbelt regions seeing heavy accumulations. Lows will be below normal and below freezing statewide.

Wednesday- Wednesday will be a primary lake effect snow day for the western half of Pennsylvania as a dying low pressure north of the state enhances the lake effect even downwind of the Appalachians at times. The flow generally remains west-northwest throughout most of the day before shifting to the southwest by later in the day. Cloud cover deck will remain over the state for much of the day with stratocumulus. Snow bands look to be favored in the Laurel Highlands in the morning before shifting northward into the northwestern snowbelts. Snow showers and squalls will at times be across other parts of the eastern half of the state with coatings to one inch of snow not being ruled out. Across the snowbelts up to 6inches of snow wll fall with some of the higher elevations above 2000ft picking up nearly 10inches of snow as snow ratios will be at times near 15:1 across some of the mountains. Highs will remain well below normal and generally below freezing for western half of state, while eastern half has highs below 40degrees. Snow bands will shift across extreme northwestern Pennsylvania by dusk as winds turn more to the southwest ahead of the next high pressure for Thanksgiving. An impressive snow band may set up along the lake shore near Erie dumping up to 5inches of snow or potentially more. Overnight cloud cover will be sporadic across the state keeping low temperatures from falling down too much other than in the mid to upper 20s for most locales. Lows may be above freezing for the Philadelphia metro area.

"Current River Ice Reports and Ski Conditions" (Updated 11/23)
Well after this cold spell this discussion will sound like it is late December. Many ski results have opened across the mountains with fresh powder of up to 8inches near Blue Knob in the last couple of days. The base snow packed in generally machined granullar though. Many ski resorts will be picking several more inches of snow up by Wednesday with parts of the Laurel Highlands and northwest mountains seeing up to a foot of snow. Conditions will also be cold enough for elsewhere locations for snow making. Base packs of snow will be rising in the next couple of days making for some unusual seasonable skiing conditions over the Thanksgiving holiday. Many people are looked to be flocking to the slopes due to these unseasonably great conditions. Areas also in the Poconos and northeast mountains will be picking up more snow in the coming days with the storm system and should see up to 5inches of snow pack added on the highest elevations in particular counties such as Wayne County, Carbon County, Monroe County, Lackawanna County, Wyoming County, and Pike County. Looking at ice reports, many ponds and even streams have frozen up quite early this year with some very small farm ponds with an inch or two thickness. But due to the early start to the river ice season, no one should try walking across the ice as it is still too thin in all areas in patches that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Stay tuned in the coming weeks as high thicknesses will be rising and just maybe some of the northern major streams and rivers will be starting to accumulate ice layers on the tops floating down the river as light sheet ice. The link below for river ice reports should come in handy for later in the year. Please still act responsibly throughout the winter.

Alpine Mountain… Open
Big Boulder… Open
Blue Knob… Open
Blue Mountain Ski Area… 12/05
Camelback Ski Area… Open
Eagle Rock… 12/03
Hidden Valley Four Seasons Resort… Open
Mount Pleasant… 12/20
Seven Springs… Open
Shawnee Mountain Ski Area… Open
Ski Big Bear… 12/13
Ski Liberty… 12/05
Ski Round top… 11/28
Ski Sawmill… Open
Spring Mountain Ski Area… 12/13
Tanglwood… 12/19
Tussey Mountain… 12/06
Whitetail… 12/06

-Link to official reports page from NWS...Link.
-Link to local ski resort snow conditions...Link.

"Current Northeast Snow Depth and Northeast Windchills"

(Courtesy of Wunderground)

"Lake Effect Snow Conditions" (Updated 11/25)
Strong westerly cyclonic flow will favor some signficant snow accumulations for the snowbelts of Pennsylvania, particularily across extreme nortwestern Pennsylvania and the Laurel Highlands. Cut-off low will be generally north of Pennsylvania keeping a west-northwest flow across the lakes. With steep lapse rates and decent Omega values we could see some nice orographic snows for parts of the Laurel Highlands. Temperatures aloft will gradually start to fall in the 850mb level from -2C to nearly -8C with will help crank up the lake effect machine. The column aloft 1000-500mb level will also be below freezing and with decent ice crystal growth, all precipitation should stay in the form of snow. Latest NMM and WRF simulated radars indicate a decent low-level Huron-Erie band across southern Pennsylvania into parts of Mt. Washington in through Fayette County and then Somerset County. For those with interests in western Maryland, this lake effect scenario generally gives them some very heavy snow in parts of Garret County and the Potomic Highlands on southward through West Virginia near Snowshoe. With cold boundary layer temperatures generally in the 20s, this will favor snow ratios near 15:1 and in the higher elevations above 2000ft near 20:1. Western facing slopes in southwestern Pennsylvania will see accumulations up to 10inches of snow in some of the favored western favored ridge tops. Valley locations will primarily see lighter accumulations on the order of 2-5inches. Flow will begin to shift more southwest as mid level vortex moves over region slightly inforcing cold air and this will bring snow bands across northwestern Pennsylvania particularily across Erie, Mercer, and Crawford Counties with heavy snow up to 10inches with the bands. Even lake shores will get in on the action as heaviest bands sit right over the city of Erie for a time period Wednesday. Lake effect generally shifts north of Pennsylvania into New York State by Thursday keeping Thanksgiving only with a few snow showers and or squalls. Throughout the week eastern areas will also see snow showers and squalls occasionally accumulating up to an inch of snow. Lake effect looks farely widespread. Stay tuned for more updates with snow map coming Tuesday.

Snow Map for Tuesday through Thursday Morning...

*Note this all does include some wrap around snows for central Pennsylvania.

"Current Lake Erie Wind Direction and Speed"

(Courtesy of NOAA)

"Current Lake Erie Water Temperature"

(Courtesy of NOAA)

"Long Term Outlook" (Updated 11/24)
A very interesting pattern is setting up for the beginning of December, which could make for some very cold weather and potentially snow. Teleconnections and upstream weather patterns favor a blocking scenario with a non-transiet trough over much of the Midwest through the East. Latest GFS ensemble means show some very impressive troughing across the east with heights well below normal. At times the models have showed a more elongated trough, which would favor below normal temperatures across much of the nation, which I do think is possible. PNA and EPO favor this setup with them favoring a slight trough over the west and the NAO shows a sharp negative drop resulting in a more defined trough over the east. Snow pack developing across many mountain areas over the east, and snow pack developing in the Great Lakes will help favor and keep the cold air over the region. From what I can see it appears the warmest weather for the next several weeks will occur this Thanksgiving Day week. Some of the latest GFS runs have showed H85s dropping to near -20C across parts of the Northeast, which intern probably would result in historically cold air. The unusual thing about this pattern has been the continued cold setup for past several months. May was a very below normal month across the state, June went down warm but only thanks to the heat spell the first half of the month as the rest of the month was cool, July went down around normal to slightly below normal, August was well below normal, September was a near normal month, and October through November have been well below normal. For those keeping tabs on statistics for November the entire warm anomalies for the month have been erased by this cold spell. Most climatology stations are now within +-1degree of normal and that will be dropping to below normal by the end of the month. For example average highs in Harrisburg during this week are around 50degrees, and not once this week will temperatures even get to above 45degrees. Average lows are near 34degrees, and every night this week we will see below freezing lows. Just this Saturday night my low dropped to 14degrees which is 20degrees below normal. Overall the pattern has favored a consistent east coast trough and that is going to continue. Pattern is showing signs of a more blocking scenario with high pressure over the North Atlantic. The problem will be though if the trough is more amplified and confined to the Midwest and Northeast, or will it be more elongated across the entire United States. If more elongated it will be harder for the trough to be negatively tilted across the east for a big east coast storm. Right now for what I am seeing is both options are possible. And right now I think we could be looking at a big storm setup for the first week of December. A few problems we could be running into December for snowfall is suppression, but one thing I am sure on is we will have extremely cold and below normal weather for a majority of the month.

"Current NAO and PNA Predictions"

(Courtesy of NOAA)

"Monthly Outlook" (November)
So hard to believe October has already passed, but it has and we are now entering November. Looking at my October outlook I called for normal to slightly below normal temperatures with normal precipitation. Looking at most official climate stations most areas came in with below normal temperatures around 1-2degrees below normal. I am very pleased with my temperature forecast, but as for precipitation almost all areas were below normal in precipitation and many areas did not see rain until the last few weeks in the month. It seems the Fall season has been pretty dry in consideration to normal. Snowfall was highly above normal in all locations with snowfall totals over a foot in parts of the Poconos and areas in western Pennsylvania saw record monthly snow totals including Pittsburgh which I believe saw the 8th snowiest October on record. Looking at now November there are some better signals for the temperature and precipitation totals than there were last month. Last month there were few signals for the overall pattern.

Temperature- Temperatures look to be near normal across much of Pennsylvania, except southern Pennsylvania which should see below normal temperatures. Across other parts of Pennsylvania I cannot rule out some slightly below normal reports. It seems that the first half of the month will favor above normal temperatures, but clouds from marine layers in an easterly flow will keep temperatures closer to normal in the south. The positive temperature departure should be much higher in the north and west than in the south and east come mid month. By midmonth teleconnective signals are showing a dive-bombing AO along with a positive PNA and a negative NAO. I am thinking the second half of the month will be very cold and that pattern should continue through December. Looking like some nice Greenland Blocking will develop. EURO weeklies and GEFS indicate this pattern switch come midmonth, but the operational GFS is a bit slower to show this pattern change. So overall looking at normal to below normal temperatures statewide.

Precipitation- I think precipitation will be near normal. I am looking at a more active storm track than recent months, but still not anomalous in comparison to normal. Coastal storms look possible along with warm air advection events especially near the pattern switch come midmonth. Snowfall looks to be near normal with almost all areas likely seeing their first accumulating snow before the month’s end. Lake effect snows look possible along with some nuisance clipper type events. Looks like snowfall will be in quite a positive start in comparison to normal for parts of eastern and western Pennsylvania as we head into the start of winter.

"Temperature and Precipitation Outlooks from Climate Prediction Center for next 30 days"

(Courtesy of NOAA)

-Winter 2008-2009 forecast... Link.
-Winter 2008-2009 forecast update... Link.

"Here northeast of Harrisburg 2008-2009 winter statistics"
(Snow Stats)
Current Snow Cover- Trace
Monthly Total- 6.00inches
Seasonal Total- 6.00inches
Winter Weather Advisories- 0
Winter Storm Warnings- 0
Heavy Snow Warnings- 0
Blizzard Warnings- 0
Snow Advisories- 0
Winter Storm Watches- 0

(Temperature Stats)
Lowest High Temperature- 31
Lowest Low Temperature- 14
Wind Chill Advisories- 0
Wind Chill Warnings- 0

(Snow Storms Stats)
First Snow - October 29 - Trace
First Snow on Ground - November 18 - Coating
Lake Effect Snow - November 21/22 - 6.00inches

Categories: Weekly Forecast

Permalink | A A A

Top of Page

Reader Comments

Display: 0, 50, 100, 200

Sort: Newest First - Order Posted

Viewing: 101 - 134

Page: 1 | 2 | 3 — Blog Index

101. Zachary Labe 5:34 PM GMT on November 27, 2008
sullivanweather- And other little folktale side note with the GGEM and GFS is the unusual track of having nearly a Hudson Valley runner immediantly following another Hudson Valley runner with the past storms. Geographic means also need to be take in effect especially when models show the primary low heading up over the high mountains. Member Since: December 14, 2007 Posts: 253 Comments: 14292

102. cchamp6 5:37 PM GMT on November 27, 2008
Great discussion here guys. That is why I love your blogs Sully and Blizz. Ill check back later on. Its not looking good for snow here I take it. Member Since: December 21, 2006 Posts: 5 Comments: 1543

103. Zachary Labe 5:37 PM GMT on November 27, 2008
We also cannot forget about the 6z DGEX run this morning, which wasn't half bad for snow for inland areas. Member Since: December 14, 2007 Posts: 253 Comments: 14292

104. Zachary Labe 5:40 PM GMT on November 27, 2008
cchamp6- Happy Thanksgiving! sullivanweather- Thanks for the great discussion. Time for Thanksgiving now, lol. I should be back this evening looking foward to seeing the 12z EURO run. Member Since: December 14, 2007 Posts: 253 Comments: 14292

105. cchamp6 5:42 PM GMT on November 27, 2008
U 2. Have a great day. Member Since: December 21, 2006 Posts: 5 Comments: 1543

106. sullivanweather 5:43 PM GMT on November 27, 2008
Hiya Champ! Happy Thanksgiving! I would say that this storm is looking very much like the last storm in terms of sensible weather. So whatever you got with the last one I would tend to expect from this one. Member Since: March 8, 2007 Posts: 269 Comments: 12490

107. sullivanweather 5:45 PM GMT on November 27, 2008
Have a happy Thanksgiving, Blizz! I'm heading down to my parents house in a half hour or so and should be there for the day. But I will check in from time to time to check on the latest developments. Take Care! Member Since: March 8, 2007 Posts: 269 Comments: 12490

108. wxgeek723 7:30 PM GMT on November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving, Blizzard92! Member Since: August 28, 2008 Posts: 79 Comments: 2350

109. PalmyraPunishment 9:28 PM GMT on November 27, 2008
greetings all, hope everyone is enjoying the holiday. well, it looked like it could possibly be a dream scenario but now it looks like just another nightmare for snow lovers along the east coast. futurecast is calling for rain and snow becoming all rain sunday into sunday night for us here in the Cumberland Valley. hopefully the models trend colder and we get a snow event. if not, i can't help but start getting a dejavu feeling for the second straight year. Member Since: January 31, 2007 Posts: 9 Comments: 2250

110. Stanb999 11:54 PM GMT on November 27, 2008
Quoting sullivanweather: Hiya Champ! Happy Thanksgiving! I would say that this storm is looking very much like the last storm in terms of sensible weather. So whatever you got with the last one I would tend to expect from this one. So should I expect to get buried? Noaa has us for snow/rain on sunday then all snow sunday night then back to a mix... I bet we here at elevation in NEPA have a snow event. :) Member Since: September 3, 2008 Posts: 0 Comments: 444

111. Zachary Labe 2:28 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
PalmyraPunishment- Things are not looking optimistic for wintry precipitation for central Pennsylvania. Models show a low heading up west of mountains and low east of mountains, but still inland. Tempeatures aloft are above freezing all the way too western Pennsylvania. Still though a lot needs to be ironed out and a few scenarios by the models are being discounted by the HPC. Also 6z GFS took a slight turn for the better bringing in 2-4inches of front end snow before the rain, which would not be too bad and seems like a quite feesable situation. So today is another day of monitoring. Nothing is near set in stone. Stanb999- If the models have a similar forecast for the next several runs then even your area may be looking at a mix or even plain rain for a period after some front-end snow. But things are going to change and this storm is looking different now than the past storm. Member Since: December 14, 2007 Posts: 253 Comments: 14292

112. Zachary Labe 2:47 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
12z NAM seems a bit more to the east and a bit colder showing some front end snows in Pennsylvania. Member Since: December 14, 2007 Posts: 253 Comments: 14292

113. Zachary Labe 8:14 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
*New blog coming tonight specifically focused on the upcoming major winter storm. I will stay away from details, but I feel I have a pretty decent idea of how this storm will turn out. A precipitation outlook map will also be issued which will show each county of Pennsylvania and their primary precipitation type. Member Since: December 14, 2007 Posts: 253 Comments:** 14292

114. sullivanweather 8:21 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
The new 12Z Euro run is slightly further norheast with the cut-off than it was in it's 12Z run yesterday. Also, the trough is much more positively tilted meaning less southerly slow out ahead of the storm. This means the chances for a more significant icing event is increasing. With the flow more out of the southwest instead of the south or even south-southeast this should create a greater northerly component to the surface wind in ageostrophic flow, helping to lock in the colder air. Also note the position of the secondary surface low. It's southeast of Long Island where as previous runs had it skirting right up along the coast or even slightly inland. Member Since: March 8, 2007 Posts: 269 Comments: 12490

115. sullivanweather 8:26 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
The Euro may also be over analyzing the 500mb trough over Canada next week causing far too much amplification in the pattern. I believe that subsequent runs will flatten the trough/ridge pattern some. The NAO being in negative territory doesn't support that anomalous of a western Atlantic ridge with 570dm 500mb heights along the coast. Member Since: March 8, 2007 Posts: 269 Comments: 12490

116. sullivanweather 8:51 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
That's very odd... The 18Z NAM is showing the solution put forth by the GFS like 8 or 9 days ago with this system. Much colder with more snow for the interior AND the dumbelling effect happening where the shortwaves round eachother in the base of the trough, sending two waves up the coast... Very strange to say the least... Member Since: March 8, 2007 Posts: 269 Comments: 12490

117. Zachary Labe 9:03 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
sullivanweather- 18z NAM is very unusual at least compared to recent runs, but one could consider it a trend looking at 500mb heights of the past 3 or 4 runs today. Seems to me many areas will have a wintry mix from I-81 westward and northward. Member Since: December 14, 2007 Posts: 253 Comments: 14292

118. Zachary Labe 9:07 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
sullivanweather- Did you see the later parts of the run out towards 84 hours? Talk about odd. Member Since: December 14, 2007 Posts: 253 Comments: 14292

119. sullivanweather 9:08 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
Blizz, I was never completely sold on how strong the trough was progged yesterday and the inland track of the low. Now that the NAM (a higher resolution model which usually sniffs out the storm's trends once within 60 hours) and the ECMWF has trended towards a more flat, positively tilted trough there should be better availability of cold air. I was thinking about putting a blog out today but I'm waiting for tomorrow. I think the forecast I have out covers the situation pretty well and there's no real need to get too technical with the storm still 48+ hours out. I'll wait for the 00Z trends and maybe even the 12Z run tomorrow since it'll be in the HiRes model's range and the local model's range upoin the storm's commencement. Member Since: March 8, 2007 Posts: 269 Comments: 12490

120. Zachary Labe 9:10 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
sullivanweather- After tomorrow's 0z runs I will put out my details, but I want to put a basis out tonight. NWS is keeping my area on the cold side showing a decent front end snow then mix then rain. It will also be interesting to see the 21z SREFs. Member Since: December 14, 2007 Posts: 253 Comments: 14292

121. Zachary Labe 9:14 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
sullivanweather- I sort of having a feeling there is a bust potential out in parts of northern Ohio and into Michigan. I just do not think the low pressure out that way will be able to squeeze that much QPF out and looks like a dryslotted region. Some people are talking 4-8inches for Detroit, but I just do not see that. Member Since: December 14, 2007 Posts: 253 Comments: 14292

122. sullivanweather 9:16 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
Blizz, It's odd but, in a way, believeable. If the NAM is picking up on this system not entirely coming together there will be a pocket of energy left in the shearing out trough axis. As it rounds the base of the trough and the front becomes increasingly aligned to the upper level flow, slowing it down, it just may be close enough for the ensuing wave of low pressure to deliver a second round of precipitation to the coast. I've seen it happen many times in the past, so it's not an unlikely occurance. Member Since: March 8, 2007 Posts: 269 Comments: 12490

123. sullivanweather 9:19 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
Yeah, they're getting the weakening parent low, far displaced from the jet stream and the upper dynamics provided by it. There's also hardly any omega in the snow growth region, weak PVA, and little mesoscale forcing to speak of. Just general ascent and convergence proivded by the low pressure. Member Since: March 8, 2007 Posts: 269 Comments: 12490

124. Zachary Labe 9:21 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
sullivanweather- Actually the 0z GFS was sort of hinting at that chance swinging another piece of energy through the Middle Atlantic. Something to monitor. Looking through the NAM in more detail, it is certainly a possibility for a scenario showing a widespread moderate type QPF event. Member Since: December 14, 2007 Posts: 253 Comments: 14292

125. Zachary Labe 9:50 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
Looks like 18z GFS keeps energy more focused to coastal low. Member Since: December 14, 2007 Posts: 253 Comments: 14292

126. sullivanweather 10:01 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
Good soaking rain for the drought region of the Southeast, at least... The models are all over the place... This is why I think everything won't come together and everything remains disjointed. The 18Z NAM/WRF is cold and dry. The Canadian was very wet and in the middle with temps. The 18Z GFS is quite warm, but paltry west of the Apps due to the coastal. There's no consensus anywhere. I think the system remains broad, more positively tilted and a colder than the GFS but a bit warmer than the 18Z NAM. Heaviest precip (>.50") falls in an arc from the Niagara Frontier to the Adirondacks into New England and along the immediate coastal plain, closest to the low level frontogenesis provided by coastal topography. Member Since: March 8, 2007 Posts: 269 Comments: 12490

127. Zachary Labe 10:05 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
sullivanweather- GFS up to hour 60 had the primary low over the Delmarva, but then forms two lows across the NY/PA border without phasing them. Seems a bit odd. I followed the GFS up to hour 60, but after that it seemed to go through some feedback issues. I am liking the 18z NAM run more than the 18z GFS run. Member Since: December 14, 2007 Posts: 253 Comments: 14292

128. PalmyraPunishment 10:08 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
prediction: overcast with a chance for doubt. jus' sayin lol (bless you two for dealing with these models. god knows i would have prolly found the headquarters for all models involved and paid a visit with some artillery) Member Since: January 31, 2007 Posts: 9 Comments: 2250

129. Zachary Labe 10:10 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
PalmyraPunishment- Lol, been a mess. I hope it is not like this all winter. 12z GFS had a pretty wintry outlook for us in the northern Middle Atlantic with nice cold high in Quebec and a heavy overunning snow event, but that is in the medium to long term. So hopefully the snowy pattern will become more favorable soon. Member Since: December 14, 2007 Posts: 253 Comments: 14292

130. sullivanweather 10:12 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
LOL There's no semblence of collaboration between NWS offices and no consensus amongst the models and we're having fits in here... Even MichaelSTL's blog has a similar discussion about snow amounts there and the storm is starting tomorrow there! Member Since: March 8, 2007 Posts: 269 Comments: 12490

131. PalmyraPunishment 10:15 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
i have a hard time believing that with the early start we had, that we will struggle all season long. in fact, i wouldn't be too surprised if we started as snow, went to a mix, went to rain, and back to snow - and anywhere between 1-4 inches in the end. if that happens, i'll call it a moderate win. it's uh what, november 29th? lol. all feelings of dejavu aside - i gotta think this is going to be a decent year. dr scalia feels the same way. i trust him for some reason. although -- weird thing. I'm originally from Huntingdon - the meteorologist in that area, Joe Murgoe is calling for a warmer and less snowier winter, where just 130 miles down the road, Dr Scalia is calling for a slightly colder and snowier winter. and the powerstruggle continues on lol. i guess we'll see. again. computers really blow. Member Since: January 31, 2007 Posts: 9 Comments: 2250

132. Zachary Labe 10:19 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
sullivanweather- What a joke the models are. The real main model I am sort of following, lol, is the NAM. Is it catching on early to something? PalmyraPunishment- I am not worried either. I am very pleased with how things are starting to shape up and I too would not be surprised with a inch or two front end snow. Models all support it along with NWS. Member Since: December 14, 2007 Posts: 253 Comments: 14292

133. Zachary Labe 10:35 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
18z GFS really quite pronounces the cold air return by Thursday of this coming week. Looking very chilly. Member Since: December 14, 2007 Posts: 253 Comments: 14292

134. sullivanweather 10:43 PM GMT on November 28, 2008
Blizz, Yup. It's beginning to latch onto the idea put out by the ECMWF, but not as amplified. A nice middle of the road solution between the 12ZGFS and the 12ZECMWF. Member Since: March 8, 2007 Posts: 269 Comments: 12490

Viewing: 101 - 134

Page: 1 | 2 | 3 — Blog Index

Top of Page

New Comment

Community Standards Policy Comments will take a few seconds to appear.

Post Your Comments

Please sign in to post comments.

or Join

Not only will you be able to leave comments on this blog, but you'll also have the ability to upload and share your photos in our Wunder Photos section.

About Blizzard92

Cornell University- Atmospheric Sciences Student; Central PA SKYWARN Storm Spotter; American Meteorological Society Member; PA CoCoRaHS Branch Member

Tropical Blogs

Tropical Weather Stickers®

Contact This Author

Local Weather

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

60 °F

Mostly Cloudy

Detailed Conditions & Forecast

Recent Photos

Blizzard92's Wunder Photos

Previous Entries for 2013

Linglestown, PA
Elevation:	520 ft
Temperature:	64.6 °F
Dew Point:	51.3 °F
Humidity:	62%
Wind:	Calm
Wind Gust:	0.0 mph
Updated: 10:01 PM EDT on May 17, 2013 Station History