A March Snowstorm Before Warmer Air Moves In
By Geoff Bansen
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Could we see our most significant snowstorm of the year in March? It's not typical, but it happens!
A long, sluggish front draped across the United States from the Gulf of Maine to Mexico will dump rain and then snow on Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. Wednesday will feature all rain, as we are currently in much milder air to the south of the front. As we progress into tonight and the early morning hours of tomorrow, however, that rain will begin to change to snow from north to south.
Philadelphia and the surrounding area is currently likely to get anywhere from 4-8". The highest probability of heavy snow is beginning to become a little more squished. There are limiting factors on both sides of the stalled out front. To the extreme south, precipitation will change to snow later in the game, as temperatures there will be warmer longer. To the north, intruding dry air and frontal tilt could lead to less moisture to work with, especially if the front slides a little further south. If I am allowed any meteorological poetic license, my gut feeling tells me that expectations need to be slightly tempered for areas further to the north.
One thing is for sure: Thursday morning is going to be a mess. Roads will be treacherous, especially untreated ones. School delays and/or closings are likely. If you need to venture out, allow for extra time and take it slow. Even travel during the day will be tricky, as the snow should last through the afternoon hours. Residual delays could linger into the evening commute as well.
There's some good news in all of this, I promise! Beginning Friday, a tranquil stretch of weather begins, right through the middle part of next week. A large, strong area of high pressure will build in behind our departing storm. Although temperatures will again be cold on Friday - highs only in the upper 20s - this could be the last time we see that for quite a while. Highs rise into the 30s and 40s for the foreseeable future, with even some low 50s possible by later next week.
