ADVERTISEMENT

OT: 12/16/20 Snowstorm Thread: First Significant Winter Storm of the Season - Major Snow/Sleet/Rain

What is this double talk? Clearly you've never read my law blog
Ah, never mind. I have a Canadian client called Loblaw that brings in major revenue, which also qualifies them to commit almost daily stupid client tricks. Was curious if you were associated with them.
 
We now have 3 straight model cycles (looking at 12-hour intervals from 0Z last night to 12Z this afternoon to 0Z tonight, which just came out - data inputs were 7 pm EST) of pretty good consensus for a major to historic snowstorm on Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning from the Euro, UK, GFS, and CMC. Everywhere from Philly to NYC, including most of NJ (only SNJ, especially near the coast looks vulnerable to a lot of rain in a couple of models), E-PA and SE-NY is modeled to get at least 8" of snow ("major") with most locations getting over 12" of snow (historic, IMO, given NYC has had 36 storms of 12" or more in 151 years or once every 4+ years - people remember storms over a foot) and some locations are modeled to get 18-24" of snow.

When I posted about this being highly unusual model consensus from 5+ days out to now on one of the weather boards, one of the very good experts there agreed and went further. He noted that the 3 major model ensembles were showing a major snowstorm from 7 days out, which he said is the first time he's seen that in a long time. Again, this is just model talk (these are models, not forecasts) and doesn't mean we're going to get a foot or more of snow everywhere, as one of the primary pieces of energy is just coming ashore in the Pac NW and hasn't been well sampled yet, so things could change. One more thing: models are showing the potential for serious wind gusts to 50-60 mph at the coast and up to 40 mph inland, so blizzard conditions are possible, as modeled (which means possible power outages) - as well as potential coastal flooding at times of high tide.

However, every met is now saying we at least now have a pretty good probability of significant snow or more. I will say this: the one huge difference for this storm over almost all of the storms last year, some of which busted badly with a lot more actual rain than predicted snow, is that we will absolutely have a strong source of cold air locked in, so a changeover to rain well inland of the coast is far less likely (but south of Toms River could get a lot of rain before any snow). The bigger "risk" to missing a big snowstorm is strong confluence leading to suppression of the storm to the SE, but no models are showing that yet. Anyway, I've always thought posting every model run is overkill, but maybe once a day (they almost all run 4X a day) is ok, so here you go...

https://www.weather.gov/phi/
https://www.33andrain.com/topic/1998-dec-16-18-possible-major-ec-snowstorm/page/57/#comments

With regard to Monday, most of the models are showing maybe 1-2" along and NW of 95 and especially N of 78, along with rain near 95 and towards the coast, so not a big deal. The NAM, however, is showing 3-6" of snow for most of the Philly-NYC area. Seems like an outlier now, but this system needs to be watched, in case more cold air filters in, as there's enough precip for a few to several inches of snow if it's cold enough.

neKZqgc.png


EEdz21F.png


eXRGozp.png


IQDDrJY.png

Time for the late (played disc golf all afternoon and then worked 10 hours) daily update with models. We're now within 72 hours of the event starting (mid/late Weds afternoon for most) and we still have model "consensus" with tonight's 0Z major models on a major (8" or more) to historic (12" or more) snowstorm for many to most in the Philly-NJ-NYC region, but there are enough model differences to make it all a bit confusing and to make for bust potentials in either direction.
  • Relative to 24 hours ago, the Euro is just as snowy as it was last night, with 15-20" from Philly to NYC and up to 20"+ in parts of NNJ/NWNJ/EPA where better banding could set up and it also expanded the heavy snow SE by maybe 15-20 miles, so even most coastal locations would get 5-10" (only far SENJ gets little snow).
  • The GFS was the southern outlier and it's even further offshore, leading to less snow for NNJ/NYC (5-10") and CNJ (8-12"), but more for the coast with 12-18" south of the Raritan.
  • The CMC is a bigger hit than last night with 12-20" for most of CNJ/NNJ/NYC/EPA and even 8-12" for most of the rest of NJ/SEPA (except SE NJ near the coast with little snow).
  • The UK is the one that has scared the 95 corridor crowd, as it only has 1-3" from DC to Philly and then over to about Belmar (with mostly rain, not sleet), with nada 10-20 miles SE of that line, but the gradient is so sharp that there's still over a foot from 10 miles NW of Philly to Trenton to Old Bridge and up to 18" not far NW of that line.
  • The NAM and RGEM (mesoscale models) are near the end of their accurate range, so not going to include them (the NAM has lots of sleet for parts of CNJ, while the RGEM has biblical snowfall for most - wouldn't trust either until maybe tomorrow night).
  • Also note that the snow will be drier/fluffier further inland which will increase snow/liquid ratios (decreased density) and snow depths vs. the maps below, which are typical 10:1 snow:liquid ratios - we could see 20:1 well N/W.
  • And there will be gusty winds by late Weds/early Thursday with gusts to 50-60 mph near the coast and up to 40 mph inland, so we could have some power outages where the snow is wet and sticks to trees/powerlines (close to 95) and some big drifts, where the snow is dry. Could also be some coastal flooding at times of high tide.
The critical issue, as always with storms around here, is where does the snow/rain line set up and how much and where does it move, as well as how strong does the storm get, with how much precip. It's likely that many coastal locations will start as snow, turn to rain for awhile, as the low approaches AC heading NE, and then turn back to snow, as the low scoots ENE from there, drawing in cold air. How far north the storm gets before that turn will also impact how far N/W the heavy snows will make it (the southern track is why the GFS shows less N of 80). And a 20 mile shift, which is pretty minor 3 days out, could turn 14" of forecast snow to 1.5" of rain and 2-4" of snow.

Bottom line to me is that for areas 20+ miles NW of 95, I just don't see any rain, so those areas are likely to get 12-18" (at least). I also have a very hard time seeing the UK solution with mostly rain that close to 95, as we have an anomalously cold air source in place, which won't be displaced that easily. There will be a fairly sharp gradient from NW to SE in decreasing snowfall, but I don't think the UK sharpness is realistic.

My best guess is that the Euro is closest to what will happen, as it's kind of the mid-range of all the models, with the 12" line from Camden to Keansburg (with some sleet likely too) with 12-18" NW of that line and the 6" line (with 1-2" of rain) from Salem to Toms River and less SE of there. Going to be an interesting ride. The NWS-Philly discussion is below. I'm a little more bullish than they are, but the NWS-NYC is very bullish, with all snow (likely a foot or more) predicted for NENJ/NYC/LI, except Suffolk.

With regard to today, most of the models are showing maybe 1" or less (or maybe nothing) along/near 95 and 1-2" along 78 and north of there (and maybe up to 3" near 80), but a couple of models are not showing more than 1" anywhere, so not a big deal. There is no longer any outlier showing 4-6". Will be a fair amount of rain towards the coast (1/2" or so).

https://www.weather.gov/phi/
https://www.33andrain.com/topic/1998-dec-16-18-possible-major-ec-snowstorm/page/116/
https://www.americanwx.com/bb/topic...dnesday-noon-thursday-dec-16-17-2020/page/40/

National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
257 AM EST Mon Dec 14 2020
Potential impacts (segmented by geography):

North of I-78: Regardless of the exact track of the surface low
thermal profiles should be cold enough to support all snow
during the duration of the event in this region, and given a
consensus low track near/just offshore this area would still
recieve a good portion of the precipitation shield. Consequently
am currently forecasting over a foot of snow in this region,
and a slightly more inland track then consensus could result in
snow amounts in excess of 18 inches. The main bust potential for
this zone is a southern track more similar to the GFS/GEFS
which would shunt the precip shield further south and cut down
QPF/Snow amounts considerably.

NW of I-95 and South of I-78: Given the aforementioned consensus
low track, this area would currently be in the "sweet spot" for
heavy snow, as it will remain close to the zone of max
lift/moisture while also having thermal profiles cold enough to
support mostly snow. Currently have widespread 12-18 inches for
this area, with some potential for isolated even higher amounts.
The main bust potential for this area would be a NAM-like
solution verifying which would advect warm air aloft fairly far
north, and cause changeover to sleet or maybe even freezing
rain. This would cut down totals considerably, but as for now
am leaving this area as mostly snow, but the potential warm nose
aloft bears watching.

I-95 corridor: Unfortunately (for us meteorologists) the
current consensus low track would place the primary ptype
transition zone roughly in this area, with the snowfall forecast
naturally highly uncertain. Additionally it is certainly
possible ptypes could be a real mess with initial snow (due to
wet-bulbing) transitioning to mixed precip and/or rain, and then
changing back to snow at the tail end of the event. Current
fcst snow amounts range from 4-12 inches in this zone as the
final amounts will be highly dependent upon the low track, and
the strength of any warm nose aloft. Although in general the
further north and west you go, the better your chances will be
or seeing more snow and vice-versa.

Coastal NJ/Delmarva (south of New Castle County): The center of
the low will likely track close to this area, which should
result in a primarily rain event was the warm maritime airmass
prevails. That being said a bit of snow may be possible both at
precip onset, and then at the tail end... so can`t rule out
some light (generally 2 inches or less) accumulations Wednesday
night into Thursday morning. The exception to this may be
Monmouth and Ocean counties which could receive considerably
more snow (current fcst is roughly 4-8 inches), as the low will
likely begin to cut more eastward before it reaches that
latitude resulting in cooler profiles. Additionally winds will
be strongest over these locations and wind gusts 40-50mph will
certainly be possible and wind headlines may be needed.


LxvKxdX.png


WX750uG.png



bYRspcZ.png


fWIay2j.png
 
Last edited:
Dan Zarrow 101.5 For Wednesday CNJ snow starting Wed afternoon going thru Thursday morning. Some models say ending at 5 am some say 11 am. Heaviest snow overnight. 8-16 inches. 10 miles will make a difference in amounts.
 
If you're talking about Monday, you're likely all rain, but for the big storm, why would you think you're in the clear? I'd be surprised if you don't get at least 3-6" and more is possible. Unlikely to be all rain. The 18Z GFS just came out and gives you 15", while the 18Z NAM gives you 6" through 1 am Thursday, with 6 more hours of snow likely (the model ends at 1 am). The NWS graphic gives you 1.2" of rain followed by 6" of snow.

NTkuVAR.png
Seems the start time shifted from 9 p.m. Tues evening to 2 a.m. Wed. morning, with lower amounts being forecasted in my locale. Yeah, these things are fluid (no pun intended), but can only hope the window shifts further out and is narrowed.
 
So the so called talk about model agreement as predicted has fallen apart. They agree on a storm but are all over the place on how far north it gets which is a huge difference in amounts and precip types. Forecasting 8-16 generally is a decent call from 2 days out but nothing is likely or even probable with things changing as we speak. And coastal areas very well may be spared with a couple slushy inches..thats in the table now
 
I love this time of the year, when Numbers posts weather data and a bullish outlook on snow and bactherac becomes Party Pooper Rex.

What's the call down here in the Cherry Hill, NJ area? About 10-15 miles east of Philly. Seems like on some of the charts, we could be change over band?
 
Do we have to wear a mask while snow shoveling? Thankfully it appears this will be avoiding the southern coast
If anything, an added benefit of wearing a mask in the winter would be in keeping parts of the face warm and preventing chapped lips (especially if it is windy)... a big plus.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rutgersguy1
I love this time of the year, when Numbers posts weather data and a bullish outlook on snow and bactherac becomes Party Pooper Rex.

What's the call down here in the Cherry Hill, NJ area? About 10-15 miles east of Philly. Seems like on some of the charts, we could be change over band?

8-16 for now but we can shift downward based on new model runs

The NAM is a killjoy for the heavy amounts
 
I am happy I got my 2 yr old snowblower up and running this morning. I have stabilizer in gas that sat in it since last year but the carburetor was filled with varnish-like mixture. I pulled off carb, cleaned it, squirted some carb cleaner in chamber, put the carb back on and boom started. Run rough for about ten minutes and then purred like a kitten. Ready for the snow.
 
It’s official...these threads are way better and more entertaining from afar...

it makes the RU#s vs bac/TK et. al. give and take so much more enjoyable...

weather queens power...activate!

form of...a forecast bust! 🕺🏼

All kidding aside...be safe on the roads!
 
Seems the start time shifted from 9 p.m. Tues evening to 2 a.m. Wed. morning, with lower amounts being forecasted in my locale. Yeah, these things are fluid (no pun intended), but can only hope the window shifts further out and is narrowed.
C'mon now. You know you intended the pun. Otherwise you would've used "non-deterministic" instead. of "fluid". 🙂
 
  • Like
Reactions: Knight Shift
It’s official...these threads are way better and more entertaining from afar...

it makes the RU#s vs bac/TK et. al. give and take so much more enjoyable...

weather queens power...activate!

form of...a forecast bust! 🕺🏼

All kidding aside...be safe on the roads!


well Numbers will not admit but he has a confirmation bias. I mean if hang out on the weather boards its a 99.9% membership who loves and wants the most snow. You cannot really be objective in an environment like that. The postings will always be favorable to snow, no different than cnn or ny times favorable to Dems or Fox favorable to Republicans
 
  • Like
Reactions: T2Kplus20
So the so called talk about model agreement as predicted has fallen apart. They agree on a storm but are all over the place on how far north it gets which is a huge difference in amounts and precip types. Forecasting 8-16 generally is a decent call from 2 days out but nothing is likely or even probable with things changing as we speak. And coastal areas very well may be spared with a couple slushy inches..thats in the table now
+1
The model agreement has fallen apart. This storm has major bust potential.....since the gradient from heavy snow to barely anything is so tight. I've seen this story way too many times before over the past few years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rurichdog
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT