December 7, 2005
Seems like a broken record already, but our area is under the gun once again in regards to wintry weather, as yet another storm system will affect the region on Friday. A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for the entire area for Thursday night into the first part of Friday.
A very potent piece of upper level energy will be tracking across the Midwest overnight and during the day on Thursday. In response, deep moisture will be drawn Northward out of the Gulf of Mexico. A dual barrel low pressure structure will take shape with one low travelling from the Tennessee Valley and dissipating in NY State, the other forming in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico which will emerge around Cape Hatteras and quickly head Northeast and out to sea, but not before dumping a significant amount of snow across parts of the area.
Clouds will increase during the day on Thursday and light snow will overspread the region after midnight on Thursday. Snowfall will become heavy for a few hours Friday morning and the AM commute will be a disaster to say the least. This storm will be more of a "thump" of snow where a significant amount falls in a short period of time. Snowfall rates of over 1" per hour are possible. Snow may mix with sleet for a period close to the city and will change to sleet and freezing rain for a period to the South and East of the city, especially in Southern New Jersey. Snow will taper to flurries around midday on Friday before ending completely in the early afternoon.
Still waiting for the next set of computer guidance to be issued in a few minutes, but there should not be much reason to deviate from the forecast too much. Total snowfall accumulation for most of Delaware County will range from 3-6" with a few isolated 7" totals. Things clear out for the weekend but remain cold with highs in the upper 30s each day. No apparent threats for any more wintry weather in the foreseeable future, though next week looks to average below normal in terms of daytime high temperatures.
So, increasing clouds on Thursday. Snow breaks out after midnight. AM commute on Friday will be an absolute nightmare as snowfall rates exceed 1" per hour for a period and traffic comes to a gridlock on local area highways and interstates. Snow ends midday Friday with totals ranging from 3-6" across Delco. Storm totals should not get much higher than this, thanks in part to the continued progressive flow to our weather pattern which is zipping these storm systems out to sea in a hurry. It will continue to be cold straight through next week with little relief in sight. We will try to add a last minute update Thursday evening if necessary. Take care!
S.B.
