January 4, 2001
A few scattered flurries made their way across our area ealier today in response to a shortwave associated with an Alberta Clipper. Temperatures across the region made it into the mid 30s for highs. Partly cloudy is the theme during the evening and early overnight hours, but skies will become mostly cloudy as the night progresses. Lows in the low to mid 20s.
More snow, albeit light, is in our forecast for Friday. Enough snow will fall to accumulate and add to our snowpack. The day will start off cloudy and light snow will break out after 9AM. Snow may become moderate for a period in the afternoon and then taper off to flurries by evening. Highs will be in the mid 30s. Total accumulations from .5-2" in our area. The reason for the snow is another Alberta Clipper (#2 in the series) making it's way across southern Canada. It's strange to see precipitation this far south associated with a low pressure area in southern Canada, but the area of greatest vorticity (spin) associated with the clipper is well south of the low. As the vortmax rounds the base of the trough carved out by the clipper, the system will likely redevelop south of Long Island Friday afternoon and *could* give areas in Eastern New England a reason to keep their guard up. As it appears now, most of the dynamics/QPFs will be to the east of the low, but if it slows down enough, moisture may wrap around the low giving areas in Eastern New England a decent snowfall. Can't get any more specific for New England at this time since SNUWW focuses mainly on Delaware County, PA and we haven't looked at much data pertaining to our northern friends.
Back to our weather, things will clear out late Friday night with the low around freezing. Saturday will be partly to mostly sunny with the high in the mid 30s. Sunday will start off partly cloudy early, but clouds will be on the increase in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 30s.
Clipper #3 will be approaching the area Sunday night, but guidance is showing precipitation to be much more broken apart than previously thought. Should see some flurries late Sunday or early Monday as it appears now. A system will also try to develop off the southeast coast later on Monday, but judging by the upper level flow and positive tilt to the trough, should head out to sea with little or no fanfare. As always, this could change being 5 days out , so will keep an eye on things for the time being. Highs on Monday around 35.
So, more snow on the way for Friday. Light snow should break out after 9AM and continue through the afternoon before tapering off to flurries by evening. A half inch to 2 inches accumulation is expected. Sometimes lighter accumulations of snow can make driving more hazardous than say a 6 inch snowfall, so be cautious when driving during the day on Friday. Another update will be issued around 1AM.
