Final Call for Messy Wednesday AM Commute
Nuisance Level But Allow for Extra Time
There are no major changes from the First Call issued on Saturday night. This will be a light, nuisance level event that willl change to rain, but nonetheless, it will be slippery so plan accordingly.
Synoptic Overview
As is often the case, there will be a nominal price to pay for transitioning the pattern from the very cold conditions of last week to the milder stretch over the days to come. Indeed, the retreating arctic cold will remain in place long enough to ensure a wintery start to mid week precipitation, as implied last week. A modest parcel of energy will be weakening on approach as it breaks off from the amplifying western trough and around the periphery of the building Western Atlantic ridge in response to the deep Western trough.
Note the compressed flow between the departing polar vortex lobe that supplies the cold this weekend and the building western Atlantic ridge that triggers the warm up next week, which will act to shear the approaching wave apart. However, it will deposit a light snowfall over the northern half of the region and thus cause some slight travel delays from Tuesday into Wednesday before it dissipates and warmer air moves in.
Anticipated Storm Evolution
Mixed precipitation should begin over the western portions of southern New England prior to the onset of the PM commute, by approximately 4pm.
Overspreading the balance of the area through the early evening.
And into the overnight.
Before beginning to taper off and transition to an icy mixture and rainfall during the predawn hours of Wednesday.
Precipitation should become more showery and sporadic in nature prior to the AM commute across the majority of the area.
However, there will undoubtedly be slippery spots that will remain, especially over the higher terrain north of the Mass pike.
There will be a lengthy break in precipitation during the day on Wednesday before a more significant round begins by Wednesday night, which will be primarily in the form of rain across the area.
FINAL CALL:
First Call issued Saturday January 20th at 9pm.
Stay vigilant throughout the week for updates on more important potential Sunday night into Monday-