My First Call For Snowfall And Model Maps Wednesday To Friday

February 9 2021

The arctic air we’ve been talking about has made a move into the central US and will be the driving force for a few impulses of snow for The Mid Atlantic.

Once again we find ourselves with a long duration event that will span three days, but actually contain two different waves of snow. A Winter Storm or Advisory may be issued by local NWS offices this afternoon.

After that, there may be more over Valentine’s Weekend, but I will leave that to my next report.

Here you will see my First Call For Snowfall Wednesday Feb 10 to Friday Feb 12 and can compare that to three computer models. Hint: I am hedging my bet lower than the modeling, so there is upside potential.

Set Up Today:

Temperatures at 1 PM EST

Surface Weather Map

Snow Short Notes:

Wave 1 Begins: 7 PM to 10 PM Wednesday
Heaviest: Around sunrise Thursday
Wave 1 Ends: By Noon Thursday
LULL
Wave 2 Beings: After 10 PM Thursday
Heaviest: Just Before Sunrise Friday
Wave 2 Ends: By Noon Friday

Computer Model Simulations

NAM 3 KM (Just Wave 1 into Thursday)

GFS Model —-> slider

This shows both Wave 1 and Wave 2.

It is important to consider:

Dry air may erode away some early snowfall.
The southern edge may have mixing with marginal temps.
The arctic boundary will focus the snow in a narrow band. There have been a tendency for a late bump north.

Temperature Forecast:

It will be cold enough to stick in most areas.

Wednesday Night

Thursday Morning

Compare Snowfall Forecasts

My Call For Snowfall

Low End Confident Numbers! I went LOWER than the computer guidance below.
Notice the legend I used ‘Over’ that number…
I am paying extra close attention to coastal areas in the northern Chesapeake Bay. The last event did not work out due to melting. This part will be colder, but I hear you and will be more specific for your area.

EDIT: The map should read Wed Feb 10 to Fri Feb 12

This is the COMBINED total for BOTH Events

Computer Model Snow Forecasts: Through Friday

GFS Model: This is actually the lowest…

Canadian: A little higher on the numbers and more widespread..

European Model: The highest guidance, but I possibly overdone. Especially with southern areas on the edge of freezing and may have some melting of snow in he process.

After This: Next Up A Valentine’s Day Storm

This is the expectation… A Third Sunday in a row with Low Pressure off of the Delmarva Coast (Atmospheric Memory).

At this time it looks like an icy mix. However, once there is new snowpack on the ground, I expect the modeling to incorporate that and this will adjust.

So take this as an idea of a winter event that should be watched closely for changes and possible impact on your plans.