Friday January 18 2019

This is update is from Friday evening, with confirmation of my earlier forecast for the northern zones. This is a complex storm and we will be on the southern edge of the first round of wintry impact. Snow and sleet showers may start later Saturday morning, but it will be afternoon and evening that cause road problems. This should be reserved for the normally colder spots. However problems may linger longer in those northern areas overnight Saturday.

Quick Storm Notes

The warnings and advisories matches up with my forecast map. I will show that below, but there is some important info I want to get to first.

The problem is that there is already snow the ground and computer models do not handle cold air well. I have been saying two things about this storm that I stand by:

Icing may last longer Saturday Night. This is due to cold air often holding longer and I will show you an example how the models are having trouble.
Sunday’s Flash Freeze is more important than the snow amounts. In fact it looks like not much left for snow in the arctic air. But the freeze will happen faster.

Road Travel Restrictions

PennDOT in Pennsylvania has already banned commercial travel starting Saturday. MDOT in Maryland is requesting all people try to stay off the roads Sunday to allow for chemical treatment as it gets cold!

My Forecast Outlook

The only adjustment I made was to take out the snow with the arctic air on Sunday.

Forecast timeline maps are below

New Partner

Buchanan Kia of Westminster is a supporter of Just In Power Kids and Maryland Trek 6 in August 2019.

When Will It Begin?

Some flurries or light showers may arrive between 10 AM and Noon. But don’t expect stickage to be an issue then

Temperatures:

Metro areas will be just above barely freezing. But remaining colder in the Winter Storm Warning Zone

Saturday Snow/Ice/Thaw Timeline –> slider

Note the Freezing Line moving north. However, the temperature map below shows many areas I circled will still be within a degree of freezing.

[metaslider id=71315]

Temperature at Midnight

May areas will be within a degree of freezing.

This may be a set up with warmer air on hill tops, but colder air remains trapped in valleys. Ice can linger many hours longer than models often show.

Snow and Ice Forecast from NWS for Maryland/Virginia, and Pennsylvania

Snow Forecast Has Lowered

Ice Forecast Is Enough To Take Down Trees/Power Lines

Pennsylvania

The Snow and Ice forecast over the line in Adams, York, and Lancaster Counties do not match the NWS forecast in Maryland. The offices appear to not be coordinating their efforts.

Snow Forecast

Ice Forecast Seems Too Low

SnowStix

We are being featured on The Weather Channel this weekend, Jim Cantore has a personalized Thudersnow Whisperer. Check it out as he reports from Boston.

We have added a bunch of new color options