First Accumulating Snow of the Season!

After a brief period of mild air, our first accumulating snow of the season is on the way for late Friday night-Saturday. Our snow will result from a combination of several factors. First, a vigorous storm system is in the process of developing across the western Gulf of Mexico. It is forecast to slide ENE at first, then NE along the east coast. At the same time, a disturbance will slide southeast out of Canada, towards the tri-state. This clipper-type system will be our main source of lift, and consequently help provide us with most of our snow. However, the stronger storm system traveling up the east coast will help stream extra moisture into our system, thus giving it a bit more of a punch. Both systems will work in tandem to develop widespread light to moderate snow across the entire tri-state area late Friday night-Saturday. I expect scattered snow showers to develop late tomorrow (around midnight or so), becoming widespread by late Saturday morning. I expect most areas to pick up anywhere from 1-3″, with isolated spots picking up 4″ (especially east of I-71). This forecast is still fluid. There is still quite a bit of model uncertainty at this time, thus a small shift in the track of the systems will greatly influence the forecast. After this evening’s model package, I will have a good idea as to what we should expect (including my updated snowfall forecast graphic). Stay tuned!