SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES
- Headline recommended by loyal reader "Terpboy"
1. Computer models now on to the idea of rapid coastal development on of the system coming east today. After seeing the idea a week ago, most models backed away from it in classic GFS fashion. If you remember, the potential for a big coastal storm to develop THIS Tuesday was indicated on this site a week ago. Go back and check the March 2 posts for proof.
2. Wickedly cold and bad weather will trounce the East Coast warmth and send it packing. Expect a 25-35 degree temperature drop in 12 hours along major cities Tuesday. Rain early in the day will changeover to snow, and accumulations are likely in the same places that 24 hours previously had temperatures in the 70's. Strong gusty winds nearing 40 mph will accompany the frontal passage in the early afternoon, and a rapid changeover to snow is expected behind the front. Visibility may be difficult by the evening rush with wind-whipped wet snow. As I said earlier, there was a great disturbance in the force, and any ONE or ALL of the clippers coming east in the next 7 days had the potential to become a surprise snowstorm. I am concerned that the strong winds may prompt an early dismissal for some schools in the DC and Baltimore Metro Regions, and likewise the snow mid day will do the same for some PA schools. In Central PA the snow will move east quickly enough to prevent major problems, but in northeastern PA the Poconos may get a solid 4-8" out of this storm.
3. Temperatures overnight into Tuesday will head towards record low levels...how about 18 F for Baltimore Wednesday morning? How about 13 F for Boston? That's not factoring the wind. There is concern for "flash freezing" of water on roadways, and the possibility of delay Wednesday morning in many schools throughout the Northeast due to icy road conditions. This may interfere with the Maryland MSA testing scheduled for this week. Test coordinators, be ready. Metro areas in Boston will see heavy rain today, causing considerable snowmelt, then a rapid re-freezing of all that standing water tonight, making for major travel problems.
HOW MUCH SNOW? Not unreasonable that Boston sees 4-6" out of this, with 2-4" in NYC , 1-2" in Philly and perhaps an inch in DC-Baltimore but mostly on non-roadway surfaces. Much heavier snow on the order of 6-12 inches for central Massacusetts as well as interior and northern New England. Travel will be challenging this afternoon and evening due to visibility problems and then an overnight refreezing on bridges and overpasses, then to secondary roads.
4. Ready for more? Super cold and windy Wednesday, then another storm with "coastal" written all over it comes charging east from the Ohio Valley. A lot of variance in computer model outcome of this one, but it is reasonable to say the potential exists for this system to also undergo rapid development once to the Mid Atlantic coast. Snow would break out overnight Thursday, and concern is already evident this could hang closer to the coast and throw snow back over the I-95 corridor as well as Eastern PA. This system will go ballistic as it deepens heading northeast, creating the threat for heavy snow and strong winds once again into southeastern New England on Friday and Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine on Saturday.
SPRING SPORTS WEATHER: With heavy rain changing to heavy snow, outdoor practice is a wash. Fields will freeze over tonight and probably be snow-covered tomorrow morning. Weather will be dry and windy on Wednesday and Thursday, promoting quick drying. Friday rain/snow south and snow north will once again disrupt outdoor practice.
GOING SKIING THIS WEEKEND? Conditions from Pennsylvania to Maine will be the best they may have been all winter with loads of fresh powder waiting for you.
PLANNING A MAJOR EVENT ON SATURDAY? If you are south of the Mason-Dixon Line, it is probably OK to go ahead with it. Since the system will be developing off the Jersey or Delaware coast on Thursday night-Friday, it is doubtful this will throw back enough snow to impede travelers going to a sports event on Saturday. Road crews would have 12 or more hours to clean up any snow that accumulated on parking lots.
NEXT WEEK...MUCH COLDER WITH A CONTINUED THREAT OF ANOTHER STORM BEFORE ALL SAID AND DONE.