Winter Weather for a Change

Current National Weather Service Alert Map

National Weather Service Winter Storm watch (blue) Winter Weather Advisory (purple)

A winter storm watch is issued when the potential for greater than 6 inches of snow/ice are possible in 24 hrs

After months of a dormant weather pattern winter finally returns tomorrow.  A series of waves will move across  New England from tomorrow afternoon through Thursday night.  This is a three part system that will likely drop the heaviest snows since the Halloween Weekend storm.  The first phase will begin tomorrow between 2 and 4 pm and this is all snow for most.  4-8 inches of snow are likely by 6 am Thursday.  This will be the majority of the accumulating snow for southern New England.  Sleet will likely mix in from time to time south of the Mass Pike.  

Thursday looks to be sloppy.  Temperatures will be slightly above freezing so rain, sleet, freezing rain and snow will all be falling from the sky at various times.  By mid afternoon on Thursday a third and final wave will pass by as it weakens.  This will draw in more cold air and flip everything back over to snow.  I currently think an additional 1-3 inches of snow will be possible.

Main Storm System in the Rockies; Smaller waves will precede system, nudge high pressure off shore

  

Projected radar image, NAM model WED 8 PM

1000-850 mean sea level pressure/6 hr precip 11 pm WED from NAM (good cold air damning  signature)

Thursday 5 PM 500 mb Vorticity (final leg of the system)

I'll try to stay updated through the facebook group as I will be out of the state for most of tomorrow.