Outlook for This Week: Quiet East / More Active West...

This will be an abbreviated weekly outlook compared to normal, and I apologize for not getting this posted yesterday as I customarily would (I was busy with the Northeast storm and some other things that were going on...)


In summary, we're trending toward a quieter time in the East and a more active time in parts of the West (and North) this week.

A ridge of high pressure will build into the East during the week, as a trough is gradually carved out West:

This will result in above normal precipitation across the Pacific Northwest, primarily from a storm that is expected to impact the region late Wednesday through Friday.  The latest run of the GFS computer model is forecasting rainfall amounts in excess of 2 inches in many areas, as indicated by the red shaded regions on the image below:

This will also equate to locally heavy snows in the higher elevations of the Cascades by the end of the work week:

The Western trough will eject a piece of energy into the central Plains and Midwest by late Wednesday and into Thursday, which will give a shot of precipitation to that region as well.  At this time it appears that it will be of little benefit to drought stricken Texas as a whole, as shown by the GFS model rainfall forecast image below (scale in inches shown on the right):

This system will bring another round of snow to the Rockies at mid-week as well - almost exactly 1 week after the first significant event of the season in this region!  Below is the latest GFS snowfall forecast centered on the Denver area.  Most of the snow indicated on this image would fall late on Tuesday or on Wednesday (scale in inches at bottom of image):

Another popular U.S. computer forecast model, the NAM, is less aggressive in the Front Range and Foothills region (including Denver), but still forecasts accumulating snow on Wednesday:

I think accumulating snow is a safe bet for the region at mid-week, the main question at this point is just how much.  Stay tuned for updates on that on Monday, as we ought to  have a much better idea.

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Summary of Record October Snowstorm in the Northeast...

There is still some light snowfall taking place across central and Eastern Maine as of this writing, but for the most part, the record setting late October snowfall event has come to an end across the Northeast.


This storm would be considered a whopper any month of the year, but especially in late October.  The image below is a summary of the snowfall totals that have come in thus far:

So far, the highest total to come in was an impressive 31.4 inches at Jaffrey, NH, followed closely by 30.8 inches at Plainfield, Massachusetts.  On the other end of the scale, but a record in and of itself, is Central Park in New York City with 3 inches:

This was the first time in history that 1 inch or more of snow has been measured at Central Park in the month of October (since records began in the late 1800's).  The last time measurable snow (of any amount) took place in New York City in October was back in 1952, when just one-half of an inch fell.  La Guardia and JFK airports also set October snowfall records yesterday, with 1.7 and 1.5 inches reported, respectively.

All-time October snowfall records were also set in Hartford, CT with 12.3 inches (the former record was 1.7 inches in 1979), Worcester, MA with 11.4 inches (the former record was 7.5 inches in 1979), and in Newark, NJ with 5.2 inches (first time ever for measurable snowfall in the month of October).

Philadelphia did not receive the 2.3 inches needed to break their former October snowfall record, but they did receive 0.3 inch of snow, which broke the old daily record of a trace set way, way back in 1902.

The snow was beautiful, but also destructive.  Due to the heavy, wet nature of the snow, trees and power lines were vulnerable.  Indeed, over 2 million people are reportedly without power across the impacted region this morning.  The image below shows the estimated water content of the snow that's on the ground:

The purple colorations indicate more than 1 inch of water equivalent, with the darker purple shadings indicating over 2 inches of water equivalent.

Whenever you get a snow this heavy and wet, you're bound to have some tree trouble.  But as we pointed out this week, the real danger (and uniqueness) in this particular situation was the fact that many trees were still full of green leaves, which collect even more snow (and add more weight), and are even more vulnerable as a result.

Below is just a small sampling of some of the impressive pictures that have come in via facebook and twitter during the last 24 hours:

New York City

New York City

North Jersey

Connecticut

Dutchess County, NY

Connecticut

Queens, NY

Central Park, NY

Pittsburgh, PA

Greenwich, CT

Some impressive videos are also coming into view on YouTube.  Here is a sampling of some of the better ones so far:

Clear or clearing skies across the region this morning are allowing the snow cover to be seen by visible satellite imagery as well.  Take a look at the visible satellite image below.  Can you pick out the Hudson and Susquehanna Rivers thanks to the snow lining their banks?

I've marked them on the identical image below; the Hudson with the red arrows and the Susquehanna with the white arrows:

Here are some additional visible satellite images with a little higher resolution, so you can take a look at the snow blanketing the region from this unique perspective.  We'll move from South to North, starting in Virginia:

Melting is already underway, as temperatures have risen above freezing across much of the region this morning.  Those with heavier accumulations are likely to see snowcover linger into Halloween evening, but regardless it will be a sloppy time for trick or treater's for sure...not to mention the fact that many are likely to still be in the dark at that time as well...

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Winds Building Offshore To Make A Move Inland; Gusts over 60 mph Possible Later...

Media reports indicate over 1,000,000 are now without power in the Northeast - and I hate to tell you, we're just getting started with this, as the winds have yet to come - and the snow will continue to fall in many areas into tonight.

Below is the latest visible satellite image and surface weather observations.  The thin green lines are isobars, or lines of equal pressure.  The closer the isobars are to one another, the stronger the wind is blowing in those areas:

You can see the low pressure center offshore (the closed - though partly off screen - green circle about 200 miles South/Southeast of New York City).  It will continue to grow stronger into the evening and overnight hours, which will result in those isobars getting even more tightly packed, signaling an increase in the winds at the surface level.

The winds at a data buoy located at the entrance to New York harbor (which is about 25 miles off of Long Island and about 40 miles Southeast of Manhattan) are steadily increasing, with the most recent observation (see graphic below) showing steady winds of 40 mph with gusts up to 48 mph.

This trend will continue into the evening hours as the low pressure deepens, with strong and gusty winds spreading inland from North Jersey and NYC up through New England.  

This process is what we call a "bomb", where the surface low deepens very rapidly and over a relatively short period of time.  This is a classic pattern that we'd expect to see with a "Nor'easter" type storm - but certainly not at the end of October!

I would not be surprised to see wind gusts in excess of 60 mph later this evening or tonight across much of this region, particularly along the coastline where there are less trees and buildings to break-up the momentum of the winds coming in off of the ocean.

GFS model forecast valid 11pm EDT this evening.

55-65 mph wind gusts indicated at orange shaded areas.

Even inland, I would expect sustained winds of 30-40 mph with gusts to 50 mph in many areas.  This will bring down trees and power lines that are already under pressure from the weight of the heavy wet snow that has fallen and will continue to fall...

In the precipitation department, things are still pretty much on track from my update at midday.  The image below is the snowfall forecast from that post, please refer to that post for additional details.

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Trees, Many with Green Leaves, Make This Snowstorm Particularly Interesting - and Hazardous...

One of the elements of the Northeast snowstorm that we've been warning about this week has to do with the fact that many trees across the region are still full of leaves.  As you can see by the photos below that are coming in from around New York City this afternoon, when you add even as little as an inch of heavy wet snow to the mix, the branches get weighed down and, in many cases, come right down:

This scenario is unfolding across most of southeast New York and Pennsylvania and adjacent areas.  Where the limbs come down on power lines, we're also getting reports of widespread power outages.

Martha Stewart even posted a picture on twitter a moment ago of trees coming down on her property in Connecticut:

Keep in mind that strong winds have yet to develop across the region - but they will - which will further add to the problem later this evening and into tonight.  North to Northeast winds of 20-30 mph with gusts as high as 50 mph will develop from North of Philadelphia on up into the New York City area and points to the North and Northeast later this evening and continue into tonight.

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October Snowfall Record Broken at NYC Central Park...

At 2:30 3pm EDT, 1.3 inches of snow was measured at Central Park in New York City. This breaks the old record snowfall total for October of 0.8 inches, set way back in 1925!

As you can see by the above image which was taken in the outskirts of the park and posted on twitter, trees and tree limbs are coming down due to the weight of the snow, and it's only just getting started!


Tree and powerline damage is widespread across southeast New York and Pennsylvania, with widespread power outages reported.




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Snow Getting Underway in NYC...

The following photos were recently posted on twitter. First is from the South end of the City where snow is just beginning to mix in with the rain:

Then in mid-town where it is starting to stick on some surfaces:

...and then further North, at the Columbia/Yale game where it's nearly a whiteout!

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Record Snowfall Likely for NYC, Hartford, Boston; Near Record at Philadelphia...

Rain continues to mix with and change to snow from West to East across the region at midday, as shown on the latest radar mosaic above.

Surface low pressure is getting wound up offshore of the Mid-Atlantic Coast, as shown on the latest composite surface analysis and visible satellite image below:

The surface low will strengthen rapidly as it lifts North/Northeastward today and into tonight, as shown on this series of GFS forecast model images:

GFS Forecast Valid 2pm EDT Saturday

GFS Forecast Valid 5pm EDT Saturday

GFS Forecast Valid 8pm EDT Saturday

GFS Forecast Valid 11pm EDT Saturday

Precipitation is currently falling in the form of rain in the major cities from Baltimore/Washington on northeastward along the Coast.  Snow is starting to mix in just to the West of the Baltimore/Washington area, and is also beginning to mix in the NYC area.  Based on current trends, I expect rain to mix with and change to snow in the Philadelphia area by mid-afternoon and in the Hartford area by late afternoon.  I expect rain to change to snow in the Providence and Boston areas tonight or early Sunday morning.

Now...on to the record books.  The record October snowfall is 2.2 inches at Washington and 2.5 inches at Baltimore (both set in 1925).  It will be tougher to break those records (based on current forecast trends) than it will be at points to the Northeast, but it still cannot be completely ruled out.  I currently expect 1-2 inches in Western suburbs, and 1 inch or less in the Baltimore/Washington area itself.

The records that appear to be easily breakable later today and/or tonight include:

New York City (Central Park) - 0.8 inches in 1925

Hartford - 1.7 inches in 1979

Boston - 1.1 inches in 2005

It's going to be a close one in Philadelphia.  The record at the airport is 2.2 inches set back in 1925 (the same storm that set the NYC and Baltimore/Washington area records).  I currently have the 2 inch line drawn right through Philadelphia on my forecast, which is shown in the image below:

The image below is the same, but with some of the major city point forecasts included:

As mentioned in posts throughout the week, this will be a heavy, wet snow, with significant potential for widespread tree and powerline stress and/or damage in areas with more than 2 inches of accumulation.  The wind will further aggravate this threat.

As shown on the GFS model forecast images above, North to Northeast winds of 20-30 mph with gusts to 50 mph will become widespread across central and northern portions of the forecast area by this evening.  The winds will be strongest from just Northeast of Philadelphia, on Northeastward across the region.  The high wind threat includes the NYC Metro area, Hartford, Providence, Boston, and interior areas to the West of that line.

Combine the heavy, wet snow with the high winds and a significant threat for power outages will exist across much of the region.

Now that the event is getting underway, future updates will focus on photos and/or videos on the ongoing event, as well as any short-range changes in the snowfall forecast, if needed.  This particular post will not be updated, so please check the blog homepage or the "10 Most Recent Posts" link at the right hand side of the page for future updates...

***Update to add picture regarding Comment by Larry Wirth.  This image was just posted on twitter by a viewer of the Yale/Columbia game:

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Quick Update on Snow So Far in the Northeast; More Detailed Post to Come...

As expected, snows began in earnest overnight over western Pennsylvania into West Virginia and have since developed Eastward into extreme western Maryland and extreme northern Virginia.  Snow continues to fly across much of this region at this hour, as noted on the radar mosaic image above.

Below is the same image but with snowfall totals for a few locations that have reported so far:

As you can see, most snowfall amounts range from 1-2 inches in the lower elevations to as many as 7 inches or more in the higher elevations.  This is the amount of snow that has fallen - but not necessarily accumulated.  Some melting has taken place due to warm ground conditions, but the snow will begin to accumulate at a more rapid pace during the day as evaporation cools the ground and the snow continues to fall.

Snowfall amounts of 1-2 inches are also starting to come in from around the Pittsburgh area.

The image below was just posted on twitter from State College, PA.  A snowy scene at the stadium at Penn State:

At this point it doesn't appear as though my original forecast from yesterday evening has really changed all that much, but I'm working on a more detailed update with any revisions to the snowfall forecast, this time on a map zoomed in with greater emphasis on the region.  I'll have that post out shortly, so please be sure to check back to the homepage or refresh the "10 Most Recent Posts" menu on the right hand side of the page.

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