Wednesday Storm: Warm Heavy Rain May End With Snow Burst And Some Icing Inland
Tuesday Afternoon Update Dec 10, 2024
This midweek storm will be powerful. The fast winds at jet stream level will be racing North at 150 mph (18,000 Ft). This will charge the system and enhance both the warming and rainfall. We need the rain, but the back side will feature colder air.
In this report, I want to give a brief rundown of the storm and look closer with a high-resolution model. I hope to show the change to snow, but a delay in cold air will allow for a window to get some slush or wet roads, and there is still some icing to follow.
The signal in the models has been that it will catch up in time for a snow burst that may last an hour or two. I continue to see that the temperatures will be above freezing when it arrives for the inland suburbs west and north of Baltimore.
Note: There will be moderate snow in the mountains during the afternoon, with road travel delays.
GFS Model Storm Sample
7 PM Wed to 7 AM Thu
Note: I have been focusing on the ECWMF Model for a few days and still believe it has a better handle. The GFS has been consistent with the snow burst into Central Maryland.
Jet Stream Snapshot
Closer Look NAM 3 Km Model
Locally in Central Maryland and surrounding areas will have the peak activity mid-afternoon and evening.
I want to focus on the high-resolution NAM 3 Km Model, but I need to point out some biases.
- Rain/Snow often arrives and departs 1 to 2 hours earlier than shown.
- Colder air below freezing often arrives up to 2 hours later.
With this in mind, we still may see a burst of snow for 1 to 2 hours…
Radar Simulation: 7 AM to 10 PM
Snapshots
MORNING
7 AM Radar
7 AM Temperatures
AFTERNOON
3 PM Radar
3 PM Temperatures
Peak Winds With Cold Front
7 PM Radar
With the model error, this may be more like the 6 PM view….
7 PM Temperatures
Compare to the GFS Model
7 PM Radar
7 PM Temperatures
MIDNIGHT TEMPS
This will be a few hours after the precipitation ends….
With the model error, this may be more like 1 or 2 AM. However, the freezing line may still reach Frederick and Westminster, MD, to York, PA, by midnight.
My concern is for wet roads that may still have a chance to freeze. If not the roads, there may be some sidewalks, elevated steps, and decks that can ice over.
TOTAL PRECIPITATION
There is roughly an 8-inch deficit for the year, so this will help but not end the drought.
Snowfall Potential
I am saving this for last because the snow accumulation will be minimal. We did have stickage in those colder areas last Thursday (reminder below), which occurred while temperatures were above freezing. So, this is possible again in the same areas.
This is using the Kuchera Technique that accounts for different ratios of liquid to snow based on temps, etc.
NAM 3 Km Model
GFS Model
Snow Reminder Last Thursday Dec 5
Temps were above freezing.
Note: I will have a look at the European Model and any updates in my report tonight.
7 Day Forecast
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