January 21 – We wake up this morning with a coating of snow. I say ‘we’ as the clipper last night was stronger and spread a dusting to over 1 inch over a wider area, even into southern PA. The school delays this morning show how a little bit can be a big deal, but also help identify what the atmosphere is doing. I am sorry I must apologize for missing the mark yesterday, but it will help with the winter storm and blizzard this weekend. As the energy comes together, I still see a little slower arrival, but more energy pushing north. This is the definition of extreme weather. Considering the hit last night, plus full moon this weekend, I have made my tweaks to the forecast, which include sleet and icing north, cutting into some totals. Below is the storm timeline, new snow total map, and other info I wanted to bullet point to make it easier to read.
Blizzard Watch and Winter Storm Watch
Please note that ‘watch’ means it may happen, but not a guarantee. A blizzard is a block of 3 hours or longer with over 1 inch per hour snow rate AND 35 mph winds. You can get heavier snow without the wind criteria met and still have white out conditions. Roads will be impassable, and you might even lose orientation walking around your neighborhood. Please take this seriously.
Wind Forecast: Worst Saturday Morning
- With heavy snow and ice mixing in, expect power outages.
- Moderate to major coastal erosion
- Bridge restrictions or closures
- State of Emergency likely: Roads Impassable.
Arrival Later: Just a little slower storm
Main Points:
- Arriving After Dark- Most of Central Maryland into Pennsylvania
- Snow gets heavy in a hurry.
- Full raging by Saturday morning. Over 6 inches on the ground by then
- Strongest Wind Saturday morning
- Sleet/Freezing rain will mix in near I-95/Bay areas Saturday. This will cut down snow totals, increase power line failures
- Saturday Night- Back to snow
- Delmarva- Snow to ice/rain, then back to snow Saturday night.
- Beaches: Winds over 50 mph, beach erosion, flooding. May start with snow, then rain, then end with snow Sunday morning
- Sunday: Storm moves away by mid day
Storm Timeline
Upper Level Energy
I see the core passing closer, which will increase winds, but also the dramatic gradient from heavy snow west to icing near the bay. Also a sharp cut off of snow to our north due to blocking and tight energy focus.
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Snow Total Update
I purposely overlap the snow bands since there will be wide ranges AND the exact amount on the line will not be precise.
Faith In The Flakes: Show Off You Pride As The Snow Arrives
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