Thursday November 15 2018

The first storm of the season is knocking on our door just before sunrise. We have Winter Weather Advisories and Winter Storm Warnings in place. What we don’t have is freezing air for most, yet. This has been the dilemma for the forecast and schools this morning. But the storm will generate its own cold air as it gets heavier this morning. While many metro areas will remain near or above freezing, it is too big a risk for many school systems to take. So many area schools have closed. I hope you got the call or text from you district to confirm.

Here is the main points of concern, please see the latest snow and temperature timelines below:

Light rain, snow, sleet mix as this begins.
As it gets heavier between 8 and 10 AM, it will turn to moderate and heavy snow.
Heavy snow can fall while ground temps are near or above freezing.
Stickage: At times snow can lay and stay faster than it melts. When and where will this happen…? It is too close a call for schools to bet on busses having kids in place. Not many would want to risk their kids getting stuck or in an accident.
Some roads may be tough to travel at times in metro areas this morning. Bridges and overpasses will get slick first. Also sidewalks under trees and north side of buildings. Rain and thaw spread mid day and this afternoon.
Normally colder inland areas will have more road problems and more snow. I upped the snow totals for some shown in my map below.
More snow will lay and stay on the grass.
We all should thaw this afternoon. The coldest parts of northern Maryland and southern PA should thaw 4-6 PM
Western MD may stay all snow and ice
Brief snow possible in colder spots early Friday morning as this ends.

Local Weather Stats For November 15 in Baltimore

Average High: 57ºF

Record High: 79ºF in 1993

Average Low: 37ºF

Record Low: 19ºF in 1986

*Record Snow: 1.2″ in 1908 (storm total = 4.8″)

Sunrise: 6:49 AM

Sunset 4:51 PM

*Daylight = 1:54 shorter than yesterday

*Bay Water Temperature = 50ºF at Thomas Pt. Light House

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Rainfall 2018 Total: Rank 3rd Wettest Year

This storm will put us on the top spot for wettest year on record.

Morning Snapshot

Look familia? This is more complex that recent storms, but we have yet another storm along that Michael path from Florida to the coast. That will take over today. Cold air in place and colder air to follow tonight.

Temperatures

Not many freezing temps… yet. This storm will generate its own cold air. First, the falling precipitation will help to cool the air. Also the intensity will pull down colder air from aloft.

Initial snow and sleet: Sticking on cars and grass, but not roads.

Radar Simulaiton —> slider

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Temperature Timeline—> slider

Notice the freezing line… Many areas will stay near freezing but could have some road stickage when the snow is heaviest between 8 AM and noon. More snow will lay and stay on the grass. But where it gets to freezing, roads will get covered and slick.

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My Updated Snow Forecast

There is still a chance to overachieve on the northern zones.

I increased 3″ to 6″ of snow in the the purple zone just north of Frederick to Westminster, Hereford Zone and souther PA. It all depends on how much can stick.

2″ to 4″ of snow in the blue shade in the immediate northern suburbs in blue. This area is also on the fence with rads staying wet or turning white.

Up to 1″ in areas that should stay near or above freezing. This is along and south of I-95.