Tag Archives: nyc

NYC Noreaster Update – 6PM Feb 12, 2014

Noreaster, NYC, Snow, Storms, Weather Update, , , ,

Everything is on track for this strong noreaster to begin moving into our area late tonight. NWS forecast office in Upton has upgraded all areas in the NYC metro to winter storm warnings ahead of the storm. The low pressure center responsible for this weather will move offshore of the Delmarva Peninsula and begin a process of rapid strengthening as its central pressure drops precipitously by 25mb.

Snow will begin falling over the area from south to north after midnight tonight. Heavy snowfall rates of 1-2″/hour are possible with a large scale snow band  forecast to develop due to the influence of a strengthening frontal boundary. By morning, NYC will pick up at least 3″ of heavy, wet snow, making for a messy commute. Snow will continue falling during the morning commute, heavily at times, limiting visibility. Snow transitions into sleet and possibly some rain around the coastal areas during midday. If rain mixes in, areas near the coast would see minimal additional snow accumulation during the day. If rain does not mix in, then another 6″ is possible.

Areas in the interior will see snow start later than NYC and the coast, but will continue to experience all snow or a sleet/snow mix during the day Thursday. These areas will pick up an additional 6″+ during the day Thursday, with another shot at picking up 6″ or more Thursday night as bands of snow continue to rotate around the center of the low.

As the storm departs to the east, it will continue to strengthen. The tightening pressure gradient will lead to stronger winds, with gusts as high as 40-50mph in some parts, leading to blowing and drifting snow. The heavy, wet snow associated with this storm has the potential to knock out power and collapse roofs already encumbered with accumulation from previous storms.

 

Nor’easter Update – Feb 12, 2014

NYC, Snow, Storms, Weather Update, , , , , ,

High impact nor’easter for the NYC metro area starting tonight. A low pressure system has formed southeast of New Orleans and will be tracking along the Carolina coast before moving offshore of NJ. Once over open water, the storm will begin rapidly strengthening (bombogenesis). Recent model runs have come in with a colder scenario, so less mixing in of rain is anticipated near the coast.

Timing

Moderate to heavy snow will overspread the NYC area in the overnight hours tonight. Accumulating snow will impact the morning commute, before a changeover to sleet near the coast and rain over portions of eastern Long Island. Interior regions will continue to see all snow. Precipitation will continue through the day Thursday, transitioning back to all snow for coastal areas overnight before dissipating early Friday morning.

Impact

Periods of snow, heavy at times overnight Wednesday into Thursday. A large-scale snow band(s) is forecast to form over portions of the NYC area, generally west of I-95 across the interior north and west. Areas under this banding feature will easily see snowfall totals over 12″, with snowfall rates up to 1-2″ per hour. Closer to the coast, snowfall totals generally forecast between 6-10″ of snow and sleet. By morning, we can expect around 2-4″ in the city making for a messy commute. Higher amounts north and west. Additional snow/sleet accumulation in the city of 2-4″ during the day, and ending off with 2-4″ overnight Thursday. Some power outages are possible with heavier snowfall on top of ice from previous storms.

Untitled

NYC Storm Update – Feb 11, 2014

NYC, Snow, Storms, Weather Update, , , , ,

There is increasing confidence that NYC will be seeing a high-impact snow storm Wednesday night into Thursday night. However, there are still discrepancies between different forecast models that are leading forecasters to not place too much confidence in overall snowfall totals. There are two main scenarios that could unfold: 1) the storm center takes a track closer to the coast, or 2) the storm center tracks further offshore.

In the first scenario, warmer air would be able to enter into coastal areas and lead to more rain, thus cutting down snowfall totals in NYC, Long Island, and coastal NJ, CT. In the second scenario, warmer air does not flow in as much. This would lead to higher snowfall totals for all areas of the NYC metro. With snow:water ratios about 8:1, and as much as .75-1.5″ inches of precipitable water available (moisture that can fall as snow, rain, ice, etc.), any small change in forecast track and temperature could lead to significant changes in the forecast total snowfall.

Current forecast:

Timing: accumulating snow will begin falling over the area, spreading from south to north, beginning Wednesday night. During the overnight hours into early Thursday morning, widespread totals of 4-6″ are possible. If the track producing a warmer temps verifies, then snow will mix in with rain along coastal areas during the day Thursday, while remaining all snow inland. A return to all snow will occur Thursday night as temps drop below freezing and the storm system exits to the northeast.

Impact: NWS is forecasting 6-8″ total snowfall for areas along the coast including NYC, with 8-10″+ in areas immediately north and west of the city. This is a total for Wednesday night into Thursday night. Thursday morning commute will be messy, with accumulating snow transitioning to rain making for a slushy mess in coastal areas, and all snow in the interior.

Screen shot 2014-02-11 at 6.27

NYC Snowstorm Update – Feb 11, 2014

NYC, Outside of NYC, Snow, Storms, Weather Update, , , , , ,

UntitledSignificant winter storm is already underway for large parts of the southeast. Snow, and ice accumulation up to 5″+ in some areas before this storm moves in on the northeast.

Still a decent amount of uncertainty as to final track of this storm. If the storm takes a track closer to land, there will be more rain and less snow. If the center of the storm passes south of NYC near what is referred to as the 40°N 70°W benchmark, this will become an all snow or mostly snow event area wide.

With snow to liquid ratios between 10 and 15:1, even a slight deviation could mean dramatically different outcomes. The city has been consistently forecast to be on the cusp of the rain/snow line so final track adjustments are worth keeping an eye. Current NWS forecast thinking is for accumulating snow to begin falling overnight Wed through late Thurs morning. A changeover to rain is currently expected in NYC and coastal areas which would keep overall snowfall totals down. A change back to all snow would occur as temps drop later Thurs as bands of precip wrap around the center of the low departing east.

Temps today will remain chilly in the upper 20s, with sunny conditions. Overnight lows in the teens, and a similar day weather-wise Wed. Overnight lows Wed in the mid 20s, and hi temps Thurs (critically) just above freezing in this forecast. Warmer on Fri w temps nearing 40.

Details:
All reliable models point to a rapidly deepening low pressure center, with central pressure dropping from 992mb to 970mb in this Navy model forecast as the low moves from our area into New England. A mesoscale banding feature also develops, but final placement is uncertain. Right now, hpc is forecasting axis of heaviest snow from NE PA, northeast through NE NJ, western MA and into down east ME. 6-12″ could easily accumulate under this banding feature.

Details:

All reliable models point to a rapidly deepening low pressure center, with central pressure dropping from 992mb to 970mb in this Navy model forecast as the low moves from our area into New England. A mesoscale banding feature also develops, but final placement is uncertain. Right now, hpc is forecasting axis of heaviest snow from NE PA, northeast through NE NJ, western MA and into down east ME. 6-12″ could easily accumulate under this banding feature.

Storm Update NYC – Feb 10, 2014

NYC, Snow, Storms, Weather Update, , , , ,

 

NYC weather update (noreaster?): Still considerable variation between different forecast models in the resolution of the storm track for this upcoming coastal low. Model spread of about 100 mi during the critical forecast period. This could mean the difference between a large snowfall for all areas of NYC metro, or a rain/snow/sleet mix for the city & coastal areas, and all snow inland.

With this much uncertainty in the mix, it’s still hard to say with any confidence how much snow will accumulate. Operational forecasts from the NWS are mixing in rain at the moment during the day Thurs. More updates to come.

Temps tomorrow & Wed remain chill, below freezing in the upper 20s, with lows in the teens again in NYC and single digits further inland. Clear and sunny conditions for the most part until the storm rolls in.

1800437_818238196974_2044261127_n