Still Getting Stronger...
A 980mb low is centered almost due south of Montauk, LI right now and is still bombing out. In fact, this low will continue to strengthen through the 8AM tomorrow morning, down to 970ish as it swings through our coastal waters. This is a scary proposition considering we have already had several gusts close to 60 mph on Nantucket and many over 40 and 50 mph over the rest of SE Mass. Power outages will be widespread and are already occurring.
We've been fielding a lot of emails and phone calls regarding the mixing and rain snow line working into SE Mass at the moment and while yes sleet and rain is working in and going to hold down amounts we are not concerned with it hanging out there for the entire storm. Here's why, we will get into ageostrophic flow...meaning that the pressure center will be so strong that air will be flowing directly into the center of the storm uninfluenced by other forces such as Coriolis. Thus when the low is over the islands any easterly wind component will flip back to northerly and the cold will get drawn back down so a change back will occur after midnight. This is already showing itself in NYC...storm is south of Montauk and wind direction in NYC is just west of north.
I'm very happy for all you BIGTIME snowlovers we are finally getting the big one! I will only say, be careful what you wish for...I hope everybody makes it through safely.
