Weather Blog: Snowstorm Becoming More Likely
by Justin Drabick
Our third arctic blast of the season arrived yesterday and continues to stick around today. This arctic air mass will slowly move out this week but it stays cold enough to support snow for our next storm, something we haven't seen this winter.
It is still too early to nail down the exact details, especially since the jet stream energy for this storm is just coming off the Pacific Ocean today and the main storm doesn't form until Thursday. Forecast guidance is also not in agreement, which is expected this far out in a complex weather pattern. The latest EUROPEAN model run has shifted farther south, keeping the heaviest snow southwest of the Delaware Valley. This track also keeps it colder, allowing for a mostly snow event.
The latest GFS model has the storm tracking farther north, bringing higher snow amounts into the Delaware Valley. It also brings in milder air with a rain/snow mix for parts of Southern NJ and Delaware. Both scenarios are still possible, as well as more shifts in the tracks. This is why confidence remains low on where exactly the heaviest snow will set up.
This will be a high impact storm system with the potential for heavy snow & rain, gusty winds, blowing & drifting snow, and coastal flooding. As of now, expect the storm to arrive early as Friday afternoon, with the heaviest snow late Friday night through early Saturday, then tapering off by Saturday afternoon and evening. Traveling will be very dangerous Friday night through Saturday. Stay tuned to the Eyewitness Weather Team this week as we will be providing many more details on this Winter Storm.
For the very latest weather conditions, click here.