Rough PM commute likely with snow, sleet expected
A storm system developing over the Central United States will shift northward today, bringing enhanced lift for precipitation and forcing the development of snow from southwest to northeast throughout the area. As this lift shifts northeastward, snow will become steadier and heavier later this afternoon throughout the area. This snow will be falling as a result of increased lift for precipitation, owing to an increased southerly flow in the mid levels of the atmosphere as a result of warm air advection.
This warm air in the mid levels will continue to shift northeastward from the Mid Atlantic into the Northeast States, shifting precipitation from snow to sleet across much of Northern NJ and NYC by later tonight. In the low levels, however, cold air will remain stout — creating the potential for not only sleet, but ice accretion as well if the depth of the mid level warm layer becomes wide enough to support freezing rain. This will create treacherous conditions on roadways tonight across Northern NJ and the suburbs of NYC in SE NY and Connecticut.
