WEATHER: Chance For Major Snow Event This Week
By Steven Strouss
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It's been a quiet winter so far. The first measureable snow of the season fell yesterday in Philadelphia totaling a meager .5".
This is the 8th latest in any season we ever recorded measurable snow, a fact that has left snow lovers discouraged.
But as we've been saying, some of our biggest snow storms have occurred during similar winter patterns and now our attention has shifted to Friday/Saturday where we are finally seeing a chance for a major snow event.
The storm didn't even form yet but by Thursday an area of low pressure will develop over the Southeast United States and strengthen with Gulf moisture. As it climbs up the East Coast, a fresh supply of arctic air will wrap in behind the storm possibly producing heavy snow from Oklahoma to Maine.
Philadelphia may lie in the crosshairs by Friday afternoon. Our more reliable weather models, the GFS and the EURO are in agreement that this developing large winter storm will take aim on our region Friday through Saturday. As fluctuations in model runs and analysis are expected, uncertainty remains on exact timing, track, snow amounts, impacts and duration. There is so much to consider in these situations but early indications are that this will be a prolonged event, with wicked winds, heavy interior snow, possible coastal flooding and hazardous travel.
If the storm trends west, enough warm air could invade which would change snow over to rain and if it trends too far east, we will receive much less snow. We'll have to wait until this storm actually appears on radar to get a better handle on it but one thing is for sure, the ingredients are there (cold air, abundant moisture and coastal development) and the potential exist for over a foot of snow in parts of the Mid-Atlantic and New England. Stay tuned to the Eyewitness Weather Team this week as we will be providing many more details on this looming Winter Storm.
