Saturday snow ❄️
Who’s ready for another weekend winter weather event?!
(pssst: it would have been a snow day)
………
*crickets* 🦗
………
I feel like we’ve broken the record for weekend winter weather events this year. The wave pattern over North America set up in such a way that we’ve experienced regular weather events at an interval that has lined up with the weekends.
The one on Saturday —and perhaps the last for a while— will be disruptive from mid-morning through the afternoon.
The weather setup involves a strong cold front and coastal low pressure system joining forces, scooping up moisture from the Gulf of Mexico as cold, Canadian air races in behind.
It will be a fast mover but heavy for a time, likely producing a plowable accumulation. Combine that with strong winds and rapidly dropping temperatures and you might mistake Saturday afternoon for a day in mid-January 🥶
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory valid from 6:00 am - 7:00 pm Saturday. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the Catskills.
What? Rain changing to snow by mid-to-late Saturday morning, becoming moderate to heavy at times and lasting through Saturday afternoon.
When? Rain changing to snow between 9:00 - 11:00 am Saturday from west to east; ending Saturday evening. The worst of the storm will be from around 11:00 am - 4:00 pm.
How much? 2-5 inches with locally higher amounts possible, especially in hilly terrain. 5-8 inches in the Catskills.
Impact? Road conditions will likely deteriorate quickly later Saturday morning — this will be a wet, slippery variety of snow. The snow will become more powdery as the temperature drops through the 20s on Saturday afternoon. This is when it will accumulate more efficiently and snow rates may even reach an inch per hour for a time. At this point, it’s looking like a pretty good idea to avoid travel after about 10:00 am on Saturday. Wind gusts of 30-40 mph on Saturday afternoon will lead to reduced visibility and blowing and drifting of the snow. Blustery winds will continue Saturday night with cold temperatures in the teens.
Depending on how things shake out with the forecast over the next 24 hours, I may send another another update. There’s a chance that the snow accumulation forecast will need to be bumped up 📏
In the meantime, check out my new merch store @ https://bennollweather-shop.fourthwall.com/ ☺️
