Storms for Tuesday and Friday
Monday, March 3, 2014
A small wave in northwest flow moved over our area this morning with insignificant precipitation, and I expect periods of sun today, though some light showers may persist, especially on the hill. However, a stronger but quick moving wave will allow periods of moderate snowfall to develop tomorrow afternoon into the evening. Showers will continue past midnight into the early morning hours, though they weaken and eventually end early in the day. I expect 5-10” of snow by Wednesday morning before skies mostly clear for later Wednesday and Thursday.
Another stronger and more organized wave crosses the northwestern coast late Wednesday and affects our area by Thursday night. Current model forecasts have this wave splitting as it moves over our area, but I would still expect significant accumulations between Thursday night and midday Friday, perhaps in the 6-12” range. Additional energy behind the main wave will keep lighter snow for our area going through Saturday before a transient ridge containing warm and dry air moves over our area for the second half of the weekend.
Another similar storm may affect our area early the following week, though this one may have more cold air associated with it as it phases with another wave from the north rotating around the ever-present-for-this-winter Hudson Bay vortex. Current longer-range models disagree with the details of this storm, which is to be expected with its impacts over a week away.