Battle of Seasons… Winter vs. Spring

By Meteorologist Jeb Postle

Alerts: The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 3 PM today till 10 AM Wednesday for a threat of wet snow, sleet, and freezing rain.

Overview: A ridge of high pressure will break down over the region today, as a storm system will move in from the Great Lakes. With this storm track, it will allow for warmer air to gradually break down the cold air regime over the region. The snow will begin to fall late This afternoon and continue early into the evening. As warmer air gradually moves in, it will change the snow over to a wintry mix and eventually rain. The storm system will move out of the region Wednesday morning, as a cold front will move through the region during the afternoon.

With a blocking atmospheric pattern setting up over the Atlantic, this will help facilitate the front to stall off the coast of the northeast. At the same time, moisture will feed in from the south along the front. With a ridge of high pressure to the west, this will provide cold air in place. Snow may fall through much of the day Thursday, before another ridge of high pressure builds in from the west.

Totals: 2-4” of snow and sleet, along with a coating to .10” of ice possible.

Forecast:

Today: Mostly sunny in the morning, then increasing clouds in the afternoon with a chance of snow after 3 PM. Snowfall amounts less than .5” possible. 50 % chance of snow. High temperature around 27F. Winds from the south at 10-20 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy with Periods of snow changing over to a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain between 6-9 PM. Freezing rain and sleet changing over to rain between 10-2AM. Mostly rain, with freezing rain mixed in at times after 2AM. Snowfall and sleet amounts between 2-4”. Ice accretion less than .10”. Rainfall amounts between .25-.50” possible. 90 % chance of precip. Low temperature around 25F early in the evening, then increasing to around 35F by morning. Winds from the south-southwest at 15-25 mph.

Wednesday, March 4^th: Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain showers before 8 AM. A slight chance of rain showers after 8 AM. 30 % chance of rain.

High temperature around 40F. Winds from the west-southwest at 15-25 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy with snow moving in after 3AM. 50 % chance of snow. Snowfall amounts between 1-2” possible. Low temperature around 22F. Winds from the west-northwest at 10-20 mph.

Thursday, March 5^th: Mostly cloudy with periods of snow. 50 % chance of snow. Snowfall amounts between 2-4” possible. Low temperature around 26F. Light winds from the north.

Impacts: The evening commute may get a bit messy, as snow will begin to fall late this afternoon. As warmer air gradually moves in, it will change the wet snow over to sleet and freezing rain late in the evening. This will make for even more treacherous travel. The good news is that the bulk of the precipitation should move out and warmer temperatures a few degrees above freezing are forecasted for the Wednesday morning commute.

The Wednesday night into Thursday event is looking more interesting. As of now, it looks like the Thursday morning commute may be a bit messy from snow. A light to moderate snowfall is possible through Thursday afternoon across the area. Stay tuned, as I will keep you updated on this.

Note: If anyone has any weather related questions or concerns, feel free to email me at postle@gmail.com.