Tuesday Evening Update February 25 2020

The second part of this weather event will be the strongest part.  The developing fog tonight is a signal of the moisture in place. The cold side of the storm will get close tomorrow and bring snow to parts of Maryland. The western mountains will get a few fresh inches. But the flakes may reach parts of central Maryland and southern Pennsylvania. You just may have to wake up in the middle of the night to see them.

In between will be strong upper level winds and enough energy that could trigger marginal severe storms.

The good news and bad news is that this may all happen around midnight.

 

Severe Storm Risk

The Storm Prediction Center has identified our area with a ‘marginal’ risk for storms to turn severe. Marginal means the chance is low, but it is still there.

Midnight Snapshots:

The good news about this cold front and potential storm line passing metro areas around midnight, is that the temperatures will not be warm. This takes some of the energy away form the system.

The bad news is that this will be when many people are sleeping. There is potential for winds to push over 45 mph.  Gusts of 58 mph is the criteria for storms to be severe.

But the parameters indicate the potential for rough weather.

K Index

A value over 30 supports thunderstorms

 

Helicity

The Helicity on the NAM 3 Km Model does seem a little on the high side. I’ve identified the regions where the wind flow may result in spin. Ahead of the front the winds will be flowing from the south, but the front itself will be racing in from the west.

 

Wind Sheer

This will be very strong with the cold front turning the winds with the cold air arriving.

 

Radar Simulation —> slider

Follow the yellow and orange shading for where the line of storms may pass. This is around midnight in metro areas.  But the BLUE indicates the snow progressing east of the mountains. The counties west and north of Baltimore may get a brief hour or so of snow. But if you want to see it, the best chance will be between 1 and 3 AM. Also, most likely between Hagerstown, Frederick, Mt Airy, Westminster, and York PA.

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Temperatures
Before we get  too excited about snow, the temps will be too warm for stickage. Perhaps a coating on the grass and car tops, but not the roads.
The road temps are warm as well, but temps will drop below freezing by daybreak in those areas. Icing is not very likely as the strong winds will help to dry out the surface, but worth watching if you have an early drive.
My next report will be Wednesday morning and I wil update any changes throughout the day.

 

Baltimore history of snowless February(s) and winters when March brought the most snow:

Click here to see more: March Snow After Winter Has Been Slow

 

Please share your thoughts, best weather pics/video, or just keep in touch via social media

WEATHER WIFE COLLECTION

  • Thanks to Shannon (weather wife) for hand picking items ‘she’ wants to wear
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FITF Store: Weather Wife

 

Winter Outlook Series:

My Call For Snowfall Winter 2019-2020

 

 

   

 

Snowy Winters Following A Hot and Dry September

 

NOAA Winter Outlook Leaves Room For More Snow With Mild ‘Seasonal Average’ Temperatures

 

 

 

 

Other  Links:

See the maps for when we normally expect the first frost in this link.

Baltimore Weather At BWI May Not Be As Hot As Reported

Construction at the airport close to the weather station may be added artificial heat. Click here or the image for the details.

 

 

Was Your County Not Included?

Click this map for more on the regional forecast zones

 

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