November 29, 2000
Our first wintry weather is on the way and it is only the last week of November. This is the earliest that I recall the word 'snow' being tossed around in forecasts sine the winter of '95-'96 and most of us weather weenies remember very well what transpired that season. That's not to say that will happen again this year, but a similair weather pattern is steadily evolving over North America. That's another issue in itself. We have rain developing tonight after dark and continuing into the morning hours. A changeover to snow will occur around or shortly after midnight and continue into the morning hours before tapering off to flurries before noon. Accumulations will be less than an inch on grassy surfaces, but some isolated areas near PHL could see up to 2" depending on elevation and geographical area. The farther north and west, the faster the change from rain to snow, thus slightly higher accumulations. North of PHL from say Trenton->NYC->Long Island could see 2-4" while places like Boston may see up to 5" from this system. If this were the middle of January, we'd be saying, "Big Deal", but the fact is, it *usually* doesn't snow in November this far south on average, so it seems like a big deal to many even though it really isn't. Driving conditions should be nothing more than wet and slick tomorrow as surface temps are just too warm to keep snow accumulating of the roadways. Either way, take it easy driving tomorrow, it will be messy. Weather will improve tomorrow afternoon as the system pulls away and temps will be cold. Highs the next few days will be between 37 and 45. Another system *may* try to phase (intensify) on Saturday as a reinforcing shot of cold air arrives out of Canada. Right now a storm seems unlikely, but keep it in the back of your heads that something could try and develop early in the weekend (20%). Take care.
