Deep winter pattern begins this weekend

Some will argue that the pattern over the last several weeks had already been established as a “wintry” one, and that may technically be true. But in terms of snow cover, cold and duration  the forthcoming pattern over the next few weeks will trump what we have experienced fairly easily. After Tuesday’s snowfall event — the biggest of the season for much of the I-95 corridor in our area — left a significant snowpack, polar air will rotate in and out of the area for the good part of the next two weeks. And while the main polar vortex may be just to our north over Eastern Canada, multiple disturbances rotating around it will bring plentiful chances for snowfall.

The first of these chances will likely come on Saturday, as an arctic frontal boundary swings through the Northeast United States. While no significant snowfall is expected, widespread snow squalls are likely — and strong winds will almost make the arctic frontal passage seem dramatic. The snow squalls, however insignificant they may seem after Tuesdays storm, could cause wildly reduced visibility at times and quick accumulating snow. Another chance for snow will come Sunday Night into Monday as a low pressure system tracks through the Northeast United States on the southern periphery of the aforementioned Polar Vortex.

Euro model showing sustained cold air in much of the Northern United States at Day 7.

Euro model showing sustained cold air in much of the Northern United States at Day 7.

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