Posts

Steven Copertino

Public Analysis: Very Gusty Today, Close Call Thursday

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An area of low pressure which passed to our north on Sunday and provided our northern sections with some wintry precipitation is now located just to the east of the Gulf of Maine this afternoon. This area of low pressure has rapidly deepened into an impressive blizzard for parts of Maine bringing well over a foot of snow to some locations and can be seen clearly on today’s visible satellite imagery. This area of low pressure, in conjunction with a high pressure located over the Ohio Valley are producing a tight pressure gradient between the two systems which causes the air between them to accelerate rapidly and occasionally work their way down to the surface.

As of 1pm, the highest gusts in the immediate New York City area were White Plains, NY 72 MPH, LaGuardia 61 MPH, Stamford, CT 55 MPH, Glen Cove, NY 56 MPH, Central Park 44 MPH. These gusts should continue throughout much of the afternoon as instability increases and allows the winds above the surface to mix down from about 4,000-5000 feet above the surface. Winds of this magnitude will be able to easily blow garbage cans around, displace lawn decorations, break medium-large tree limbs, and possibly even cause localized power outages. These high winds have also prompted significant delays at local airports, with Newark experiencing over two and a half hour delays at this time. Accordingly, the National Weather Service has already issued wind advisories and high wind warnings through throughout the area.

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John Homenuk

PM Zone Update: Multi-day winter weather in New England

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A multi-day (and multi-disturbance) winter weather event will unfold across New England over the next few days, with central and northern parts of New England in line for several inches or more of snowfall. Multiple disturbances in the atmosphere will traverse from the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley into the Northeast, with coastal low pressure systems forming in multiple fashions. The first moves from our southwest on Saturday evening into Sunday morning, and has trend more significantly in terms of wintry precipitation. Much of this can be attributed to the snowpack in place across the interior — keeping low level cold temperatures locked in more effectively.

Warm air both in the mid levels and at the surface will be moving north from the Mid Atlantic states as Sunday morning approaches. But moisture and lift, effective in developing precipitation, will move northward as well, allowing wintry precipitation to break out across the region. Across Northeastern PA, Northern NJ, NYC and LI, precipitation may begin as snow and sleet – remaining a wintry mix for a few hours before a transition to rain occurs. The wintry mix will occur longer across the interior and higher elevations of NJ, SE NY, and CT where low level cold air will remain more stout. Here, freezing rain and sleet are possible for a more prolonged period of time.

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John Homenuk

Mid-AM All Zones: Multiple wintry events in New England

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An active pattern, which has existed across the Eastern United States for the better part of the past 3 months, will kick into even higher gear later this week into the early part of next week, as multiple disturbances drive southeastwards from Canada into New England. These disturbances in the mid and upper levels of the atmosphere will aid in the development of surface low pressure systems, first moving through Southeast Canada and then redeveloping off the coast of New England.

Exactly where and when these surface low pressure systems develop will be the critical component to wintry weather potential in Southern New England — including parts of Central and Northern Connecticut from Friday Night into Saturday morning and again from Sunday Night into Monday morning.

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John Homenuk

2/9 PM Zones: Storm exits, more to come in New England

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Snow is wrapping up from west to east throughout the area this evening, including parts of Long Island where snow has lingered for the longest today. A low pressure center moved from the coast of New Jersey to a position south of New England — in fact, quite close to the 40/70 “Benchmark” for impactful storm systems. Impactful snow moved from Northeast NJ and NYC through Long Island and Connecticut, and now is positioned near Southern New England.

The storm system will continue wrapping up and pulling further eastwards as the evening goes on tonight. As low pressure moves away from the Northeast US, northwesterly winds will gradually allow drier air to move into the region. A developing pressure gradient between the low pressure center and an incoming high pressure will lead to the potential for gusty winds through the evening. This will be especially true near the area coasts, where gusts may exceed 35 miles per hour at times.

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