wdrag

read the doubts about wind. Here's my suggestion; Review all the High Wind topics and note the performance (we verify all these) of the topic that takes into consideration a slight high bias in guidance in advance, of the EC and HRRR wind gust algorithm. It's not by more than 5 knots (if we did a study) I'll add two graphics from the 06z/23 HRRRX for 06z/25 only... use the legend and lets see what happens. Take at most 5 knots off the HRRRX GUST wind guidance or just use the knots as MPH. Should be very close. It's an extensive problem that is coming. I also added the 80m wind... if you don't like the option from the gust algorithm, then use the lower speed 80m wind guidance as your gust. Maybe that will verify better. We never know for sure in advance, but it's better to prepare. If the models are right, and in advance we dismiss as way too high, sooner or later we automate these model guidances and outperform humans. The models are slowly improving. Gotta run. Back this afternoon, Walt

December 29 probably won't happen as snow I84, even though the EC EPS is coming around to the GEFS digging trough. Probably a little too late to prevent rain, instead of snow for I84-though I haven't given up hope for slower and further south on the digging short wave but for now, this first date option of the 29th has less chance of working out as snow. Also, for now, the less digging scenario now generally advertised means the event is faster, more likely occurring mainly on Monday the 28th. 1/1/21 An event is coming late NY Eve or NY Day. It too may be rain but for now has a little greater chance of snow, especially interior. No time to assess as 12/24-25 is my primary consideration.

Good Wednesday morning: There isn't much more to say except prepare for power outages, wind damage (outdoor decorations etc) and follow NWS Flood statements warnings. Topic Edit 518AM Wednesday 12/23: No significant changes. The prime threat period might by 2 hours too fast but not enough evidence to change the primary initialization period of weather related issues. My assessment tells me to prepare, without science, for many many thousands without power starting 9PM to midnight Christmas Eve evening, and then across se NYS, LI, CT, MA beginning midnight to 6AM Christmas morning. Gusts NYC airports should be 45-55kt, with potential for isolated 65KT LI/CT/MA. I expect SVR's for the HSLC lines of heavy showers to help focus the primary short-fuse threats. Lower chance of any damage northeast PA but ridges there will be most vulnerable there to ~ 55 MPH gusts. There is limited science on power outage wind damage with leaved trees, without, softer unfrozen ground versus frozen but I don't have this information nor any private services predictive algorithms. I still think that wind damage will prevail as the most important aspect of this storm, but please follow NWS flood watches, warnings as issued, due to the combined snowmelt and new widespread NYC subforum rainfall of 1-2", with isolated 4" potential inland-most of this in a 9 hour period during Thursday night, Any snow on the backside is exceedingly minor on the I84 high terrain. There actually might be a little better chance for a slight coating of snow Christmas night with the weakening trough aloft passage. I added the 5AM Watch for the USA highlighting the interior flood watches and the coastal High Wind. Also the 00z/GEFS chance of 60+MPH gusts for the period of ~ 6z-12z/25...impressive! and HRRR and NAM max gust potential ~ 1AM Christmas morning. 525A.

12Z/22 EPS and GEFS for you to decide. Just so you know the NAEFS continues colder and suggests a light to moderate snowfall for I84. I don't have time for all the graphics but here's the difference between the 12z/22 EPS and GEFS. Your call and you are welcome to professionally critique here any possible flaw-bias in my thinking. Right now, all options are on the board. I am doubtful of a big windup low in the Great Lakes on the 28th. Instead a weaker low, near L Erie with redevelopment s of LI, then a merger into a deepening low near the New England Coast on the afternoon of the 29th. If I am wrong, it will have been over reliance on the NAEFS 52 member ensemble vs the generally more highly regarded EPS , vs the sometimes maligned GEFS. I'd like another 00z/23 cycle to show me that I've incorrectly relied upon a GGEM-GFS ensemble blend. Blocking i realize is good but not ideal. Again, you decide what is best in your own mind.

What do you think about this digging? I see wet snow... but maybe I'm biased to the NAEFS and naturally biased to snow. This is starting to show confluence...a bit too far north...but I like how the GEFS is trying to carve out a hole in New England. Might be too little too late but this is still 7 days out... plenty of time to change. 06z GEFS 500MB members and mean.

Always good to be cautious. I like the overall opportunities but how much is realized in snow... the 50-50 block (LOW!) is most important. I don't see that yet but overall the anomalously strong and long duration (still next 14 daYS+) + 500 MB anomaly near the Davis Dtarit is a positive for snow options. I've added some minor WPC support with a D7 graphic for >1/4" frozen W.E. The darker green 30-49% chance. I like these graphics, but in clear cut event, they are very conservative. This one is not yet clear cut, so I can ride with it, EXCEPT as you can see from the issue time of 0455z/22... it is BEFORE the 00z/22 ensembles are seen (at least publicly). My guess this has to do with the shift hours. So, you're seeing later ensemble guidance from whatever resources and judge accordingly.

Nothing happened over night in our I84 forum. Wrong read on my part for minuscule event. All the QPF was just s of I78 in NJ to southern LI.

My once/day update to allow the models to be variable eventually coming to a consensus on both coming events. I've seen a few posts and agree. 29th: I don't think LI/NYC I80 south can get much if any snow out of the event late 28th and 29th. I think snowfall, whatever it is, is restricted to the I84 corridor with the se edge maybe 20 miles south of I84. How much, yet to be determined but a WET sticky snowfall seems more probable than a crystalline cold. I've added the 00z/22 NAEFS which shows a low in the eastern Great Lakes with a receded High over Nova Scotia, which eventually has a secondary s of LI merge and potentially rapidly deepen near Cape Cod on the 29th (00z/22 GEFS is interesting on the negative tilt eased deepening of the 500MB trough toward CC). The 0C sfc temp is near I84 to late on the 28th (last image) while the 1000-500MB thickness at 00z/29 (first image) is surprisingly cool. So that is my reasoning to keep faithful to an I84 3+" event with much less chance of snow this storm for NYC. Thinking could change in the future but for now, since models are all over the place, it is probably smart to choose a wetter scenario for NYC and not overpromise there. NY Day may be another story... I think snow is in the mix and to me it looks to be a better chance of some sort of lead WAA snow thump, before a possible change to rain for our forum. Just tooo far in advance for me to offer anything else, confidently. 558A/22

Saw some of the previous posts and agree... Topic edit at 522AM Tuesday the 22nd: Changed the title to WILL be accompanied by damaging wind LI, and restricted the period of accumulative snow to the interior. I think the wind damage potential is the largest threat from this rapidly deepening 980s surface low moving northward up the front into NYS predawn Christmas. SVR's possible (in my mind likely, even if no lightning) for HSLC heavy showers.The R#/wind profile combo on the NAM and even GFS tells me 45kt+ gusts all the major airports in and near NYC sometime between 10P/24 and 5A/25 . This is further supported by multiple models 80KT+ 850MB winds over LI, in some cases around 90-95kt. From my looking at Richardson (R)# and wind grab, this has the most favorable potential in my past 3 months of examining to realize downward transfer 50-65KT from the lowest 25 to 50 MB of the boundary layer. Whether an isothermal sounding in the lowest part of the boundary layer, or even a slightly inverted sounding can diminish-mute the potential, I don't know. What I do think, is that a lot of folks could wake up with lights out Christmas morning across LI, and possibly NJ/CT. Flooding potential to me looks the same as it did yesterday-previous days, all a matter of qpf, snowmelt combo to prompt a few rivers into minor or eventually moderate flood stage, even as temps plummet from 60ish near midnight Christmas morning, to near freezing by ~ Noon Friday. Please follow NWS closely on flood potential-they have more tools than I. Snowfall, accumulation less than 1 inch probably restricted in our forum counties only I84 high terrain northwestward. I'll copy this to the last page of this topic and add a couple of wind profiles there. The future posts will look at FOUS BL winds, which I think will exceed 34kt at LGA and BOS around 06z and 12z/25 respectively. IF not, then I'm a little too severe on my wind expectations. Also, I'll be adding shorter term wind gust potential graphics, especially Wednesday onward. I added the 00z/22 GEFS chance of 60+MPH gusts for 06z/25. I think pretty impressive for the the coasts-LI. I also added the LGA 06z/22 NAM time section. Note how close to the surface the 50kt winds at LGA Christmas evening-overnight. In my mind, to avoid damage, we'll need a stronger inversion or a weaker system and less wind aloft in future model cycles. (corrected many typos at 822A-my apology-was too much of a hurry)

Follow NWS on flooding. No one on here has said massive flooding. Flooding is possible, a few streams maybe but major?? My guess is very little if any because of shorter duration of R+/big warmth and fast cool down to near freezing Friday. I think clearing drainage basins, especially where more than 8 inches on the ground right now is a good idea, just to reduce any possible coding of water in those areas. Must be done SAFELY, if at all. Thanks.

I think, not much weather in se NYS after 9AM Fri.... the action is mainly 6PM Thu-6AM Fri, so far. I don't see much snow for you or I, less than 1" for sure, maybe just wet flurries. I think Fri afternoon is cold but decent and if it were me, I'd plan a go. We do the same for the part of our family in the Pocs... after 9A Fri, they should be able to travel safe.

A couple of maps showing yesterdays CoCoRAHS snowfall reports.

1/1 530AM Update: No significant change to the previous days messaging as noted below. Will add graphics to the latest post on p5. 12/31 5AM Update: Little change from 12/30 603AM. Timing the start probably closer to the end of the ranges listed below, and emphasis for event beyond 3 hours is for the terrain above 1000 feet. Snow, if any, is less than 1" far northern edge of the forum, but sleet a possibility at the start in many areas. Probably worth tracking wet bulbs for this mainly at night event... think it suggests longer duration than meets the eye but the model dew point forecast may be too low. mPING will be of value. Valleys, below 700 feet should have mainly wet roads after initial treatment and possibly the same higher up. Worthy of caution and best we can do for marginal thermal profiles. It should be noted that the NAM3K is trying to hold onto icing into the morning daylight hours highest elevations northern fringe of the NYC subforum - that may be an outlier, but not impossible. 12/30 603AM Update: QPF down to .4-.8" for the forum for this event, and slowed a touch from yesterday. Otherwise my concerns have little change from yesterdays 12/29 reassessment. This event will be a problem for the Poconos, interior se NYS high terrain with less qpf and impacts for the CT River Valley, but otherwise I84 high terrain should do okay. Sleet or freezing rain develops ne PA/nw NJ (maybe even down to I78) between 2-5PM and probably changes to non freezing rain during the night all, except elevations above 1500 feet where it may be freezing rain throughout. Since temperatures will be briefly above freezing prior to the event - midday Friday, icing on treated roads, after initial treatment will probably be limited, but otherwise all untreated surfaces become icy, especially after sundown. Expect a slight glaze on untreated surfaces near I-78 (Easton PA, Warren County NJ) ranging up to about 2 tenths of inch above 1000 feet northern Sussex County NJ (northern Wantage-High Point-Vernon) and ne PA. Meanwhile, N CT and interior MA should see sleet and snow develop between 5-8PM Friday, with a possible 1-2 inches before a change to ice, and then probably non freezing rain after 2 AM Saturday. Glaze there a little less than ne PA. CT River Valley should see less impact due to near freezing temps. Boston: a little sleet/snow Friday evening then changes to rain or freezing rain during the night with much less certainty there on details. After sunrise Saturday, melting and improved weather! We'll start getting some short range ensemble guidance tomorrow morning that will help us detail impacts. Hopefully this is a reasonable assessment as presented above. I prefer not to comment again on this event til Thursday morning as model variations may skew me one way or the other, too soon. 12/29 530AM update: Decreased model qpf has dropped the impact level to what i think is a relatively routine 3/4" to 1.5" qpf event with sleet and glaze expected I84 corridor. I dropped the front end concern on the 31st since it's minor, maybe a bit of snow or ice mix in the higher Poconos with the CFP. I'll begin a new topic for 1/3 late today if its still modeled by the GFS para and EC but prefer GGEM on board.That one would be very low confidence for what could be a grazing fast developing nor'easter w snow somewhere close to NYC??? Again low confidence but on GFS parallel and EC OP. Edited this pgh at 549A got delay new topic for 1/3. Timing for renewed precipitation seems to have delayed about 6 hours from prior modeling with 6-10 hours of ice anticipated for the I84 high terrain, beginning midday the first in the Poconos-far nw NJ-se NYS and late day CT/MA portion. Treated surfaces may be just wet during the daylight hours, but if it's several hours of sleet, then a bit of a different story. Glaze, probably 1/4" or less even if .75" freezing rain occurs. This will need much more refinement as we move into mesoscale-fram analysis. So I see this as an advisory hazard NY afternoon/evening for at least parts of I84. Unsure if temps can remain at or below freezing long enough to have glaze approach 1/2" in our I84 corridor high terrain. As of this time, would not favor that higher end impact but worthy of monitoring. Flooding rain is probably no longer a risk,due to less qpf. However, those who had sump pumps running for the 12/24 event, may see a resumption-not that this is a big deal, provided they are operational, but in our area of nw NJ, it's unusual for this to occur in December. No new graphics today. -- 12/28 535 AM Update: 5 days in advance so I may be too detailed and too cold in my thinking-therefore uncertainty. Also the overnight WPC guidance does not support my concern. So caution on the following: Don't bet on it, but if you wish, keep it in mind. As everyone can see via the modeling the big warm windy event days ago modeled for 1/1 is gone and snow/sleet/freezing rain has increasingly been added to the mix near I80 northward ,with what I think is a likely hazardous advisory situation for the I84 corridor, especially Poconos-se NYS NY Day morning-midday. For now I left HIGH impact in the headline because I've seen these situations with sw 850MB WAA flow-not scour out whatever 32F airmass creeps into the interior, and the supposed change to non freezing rain does not occur or is delayed 6-12 hours. This whole event may become a routine 1-3" qpf event with an advisory event for the interior and if it becomes completely evident, I'll withdraw HIGH impact. This situation doesn't mean the temp cannot burst into the 40s /low 50s early on January 2, but I'm cautioning on literally believing an above freezing forecast, especially from MOS guidance, IF and only IF, the subfreezing airmass does sift back down into our area NY eve. QPF as per WPC--still outlooking 1-2" and I think there is potential for 3", wherever the max qpf axis, which seems to have slipped south to PA/NJ/LI. Whether this causes any flooding of rivers is unknown, but it does not look major and it's possible that the icing will lock up or delay-spread out runoff a bit in the interior, so the river response is contained within the river banks. It is good to know that that qpf in DEC has been 150% of normal with about 2" in 24 hours, threatening to cause some river flooding, and renew sump pump action in homes where sump pumps were still active yesterday. Big wind is no longer a threat. So the questions: how much sleet and freezing rain for the interior, inclusive of nw NJ, ne PA, on up the I84 corridor to Worcester, MA. The precip comes in waves, with the primary event NY Day. I am expecting a slippery-hazardous morning across ne PA/nw NJ developing northeastward into interior CT/MA but particularly ne PA/nw NJ on all untreated surfaces. Roads during the daylight hours, after initial treatment probably just wet but this ever changing situation should be monitored. Glaze amounts of 1 tench inch foreseen for parts of the interior high terrain, maybe ~1/4" if my concern is correct about temps not warming above freezing until the primary burst of heavier qpf has passed out to sea late on the first or early Jan 2. I didn't speak of snow amounts but there could be some coatings of snow included on NY Day morning at the beginning of the primary event, if an even colder scenario evolves. Again, remember, WPC has no outlook for 1/4" of frozen water equivalent here (but which I dont think includes glaze). 00z/28 GEFS has an over 50% chance of glaze in the interior n of I80. Then there's the trailer short wave for later the 2nd into the 3rd....I think it needs to be monitored for an eventual colder wintry impact here...probably light, IF ANYTHING at all this far north. Finally: for NY eve celebrants and pandemic considerations do not recommend , but if you're outside on the lawn for some reason, there could be an interlude of no precipitation near midnight (between the earlier in the afternoon cold frontal passage and onset of the NY morning qpf). Please be aware that I saw the 00z/28 GFS para which finally has 1+ qpf here (delayed a few cycles from the GFS) but it's temps are warm with no ice threat here in our area- It's a warm option but I think highly unlikely. Graphics are the NAEFS 52 member sfc pattern (NO EPS in this mix, just GGEM ens and GEFS), the GEFS prob of icing, the FFG for 6 hour amounts and our Dec 2020 % above normal qpf. ------ 12/27 620AM Update. Evolution of this topic continues as 12/29 is gone (except a few I-84 snow showers) . This includes dropping graphics for 12/29 as 12/21ish modeling completely missed this non-event for our area. New graphics will be added Monday morning as modeling consensus grows for 12/31-1/2. This system for 12/31 and especially Jan 1-2 is trending toward broad high impacts, ranging from at least a period of advisory or warning ice and possibly advisory snow for the I84 corridor (high terrain above 1000 feet especially), to a multiple slow response river flood response (minor to moderate flood stages in our NYC forum), depending on new qpf (not including any remaining snowmelt) and how much of that qpf is ice and remains ice through Jan 2. In my mind this is complex. Scenario is a weak northern stream short wave passage on the 31st dragging a cold front through the NYC forum accompanied by rain, (possibly a little snow or ice I84 high terrain). It's possible NY eve celebrations will be precip free for a few hours? Meanwhile the southern stream short wave may split into two pieces, leaving something behind for the 3rd, but of little or no impact here. It's the preceding newd lift out of the Gulf States short wave that is going to be a potential high impact player here on the first and second of January. How this plays out is uncertain but clearly the 00z/27 GFS and EC op have trended colder while the run to run inconsistency of the UK and ICON continues. In essence though...it appears to me that a warm front to our south will provide the necessary lift with a southerly jet of 50kt (PWAT 1") impinging on it, to dump heavy qpf on a large part of the NYC forum, on the order of 1-3". I am tending to lean widespread heavier than 1.5". That front may eventually lift north of LI/I80 but I think there is a chance of an occlusion and waves of low pressure moving out to the s of LI. That leaves potential for heavy icing parts of I84. So, tbd, if this read is generally reasonable but worthy of comment-updates. Wind: 50+MPH gusts...still possible for LI/NJ but less likely. Have left the Topic TAGS as is, but updated the topic headline. Basically done w this for 24 hours. Thank you for your updates-impressions of the modeling. -- 12/26 612 AM edit. Ensembles (GEFS, EPS, NAEFS) favor a primarily warm wet windy solution for early Friday-NY Day, but thereafter there is some uncertainty. UKMET and to some extent the 06z/26 GFS are suggesting a separation of short waves across the eastern USA with a trailing southern stream significant short wave rotating northeastward as the NY eve cold front is draped somewhere across our forum, possibly even down to the Mason-Dixon line. The UKMET op is an erratic model swinging wildly at times and at 120 hours, am a little reluctant to put much stock in its suggestion. Still, other models are suggesting a more sw wind at 850MB into early NY Day which tells me that the northern stream short wave is not initially digging into the Ohio Valley this time, as per this most recent damage/flood event. However!!! this is a low probability chance but one that I do not want to discard, yet, till I see all models wet-warm-windy with little or no snow behind it, across I-84. That leaves us with a 1-2" qpf event mainly 6PM NY eve to 3PM NY Day, most of it probably in a 6-9 hour period. This would exacerbate-extend the already projected minor-moderate flooding on some of the NYC sub forum rivers, and probably result in even higher stages and a few more streams-rivers into flood. Regarding wind- recent model cycles are offering a short period of 50-55 MPH southerly gusts NY eve night or thereabouts. GEFS and EPS 850MB winds after already over 50 knots. Operational models suggest 850MB winds 80 knots. This event may end up 5-10 MPH less than that of early 12/25, but it could be a bit warmer (more sw wind at 850MB than due south) in some areas, so that downward momentum transfer is slightly better (less of an isothermal boundary layer). With ground already softened by recent rains and snowmelt, and largely unfrozen by the time of the coming Thursday-Friday event, this could yet again result in power outages from limbs and trees down. So, some things to ponder, at least for me. I'll adjust this topic by sunrise Monday, once the event evolution becomes solidly wet windy. --- 12/23/20 538AM edit: December 29 probably won't happen as snow I84 even though the EC EPS is coming around to the GEFS digging trough. Probably a little too late to prevent rain, instead of snow for I84-though I haven't given up hope for slower and further south on the digging short wave but for now, this first date option of the 29th has less chance of working out as snow. Also, for now, the less digging scenario now generally advertised means the event is faster, more likely occurring mainly on Monday the 28th. 1/1/21 An event is coming late NY Eve or NY Day. It too may be rain but for now has a little greater chance of snow, especially interior. No time to assess as 12/24-25 is my primary consideration. --- previous below from Monday 12/21 The normal amounts of uncertainty exists for an 8-12 outlook, but because of the general blockiness near Greenland and the modeled wave train from the Pacific into the southern USA the next two weeks, suspect there is an above normal (vs climatology) chance for 1 or 2 coastal storm events near the mid Atlantic coast. The 200MB jet is almost constantly between 30-40N from the Pacific across the United States, favorable for southern stream short waves and above normal precipitation. Our temperature climatology is cooling day by day so that even above normal temperatures do not rule out wintry precipitation. There will be opportunity for northern stream short waves to interact with the southern stream, but whether they phase is highly questionable. Modeling continues the -NAO and +PNA for at least another two weeks, and the MJO does not appear to be major player in the stable Nino 3.4 assessed LaNina background state, though it's behavior to date has been more wintry than expected using the current accepted science of winter predictability. Some modeling has been trying at various times to develop a strong coastal around the dates listed. Whether it's Dec 29, or Jan 1?, one of these should become significant. Please allow for 1 day time error either side of the 29th and 1/1. My guess this is an I84 centered 3+" snow event(s) but if blocking increases after the 12/25 trough moves out of the northeast, that would sag the cold enough snow thermal profiles southward to I95 (even w NC/far n GA???). I've added the 00z/21 NAEFS outlook for qpf, surface temp, sfc pressure the day before (nice high in southern Canada) and day of (nice low off the coast with variability options northwest) and 1000-500MB thickness the day before, as a starter. Also the operationally modeled single member snow depth at its thinnest point around 12/25, before it potentially expands again east and south. That may assist redevelopment of surface lows to the south of the snow pack. This topic will update as time allows and anything becomes more definitive, including upgrades in tags, should it become necessary. For now, playing it as a moderate event on one of these two dates (keep it somewhat close to climo), with option for something more important to cover at least a part of the NYC forum by late 1/1. 1038A/2

I've run of time with family considerations the priority. I'll be back by 1030 and start a new snowstorm topic at that time. As note by others... The exceedingly strong block is favorable for to 1 to possibly events between the 28th-at least Jan 5. Take what we get and enjoy. I am considering a new topic to post this morning for a moderate or greater rain changing to snowstorm event for the I84 region, possibly down to the immediate NYC north and west suburbs for next Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday 28-29-30 (special emphasis Tue-29th). I need more time to think it through. DT from yesterday or before and BlueWave and others in the previous several days have highlighted the potential. I think it's on the more defined modeling board now for general awareness (EC first op, I think but please correct me if I'm wrong). Need to frame it reasonably, leaving options open because of thermal profiles/tracking.

Good Monday morning everyone, Dec 21- The first day of astronomical winter! This topic remains (somehow) on target! I am 70% confident of damaging wind and power outages part of our forum area within about 3 hours midnight Christmas eve-morning, gusts possibly to 65 or 70 MPH on LI in a HSLC (High Shear Low Cape) band of convection (thunder may not occur but I suspect SVR's may need to be issued or some sort of wind warning). Did not add the widespread 50 MPH ECMWF gust graphic... suffice it to say, it's been consistent on 50+ for our forum... just cyclically varying it's tracking 70+ between se MA and LI. Flooding: Please follow NWS statements on this situation when they are issued. I've added a couple of graphics that show river concerns *yellow* = action consideration and then various color scales for subsequent flood POTENTIAL. This is qpf based so snow melt will also need to be considered as an addition. Snowmelt doesn't happen all at once: It happens faster in high dew point wind driven air overriding the snow pack, and the rain at first is absorbed by the snow then starts it's melting and release. So, nothing is automatic, guaranteed, instant. I didn't take a look at the individual gaged streams to see the graphing of rainfall and river stage plumes. The point: flooding potential exists. I'm not sure if it can happen on more than 3 or 4 rivers in our forum area (delayed river flood response may be til the 25th morning) and then much colder temps may lock in some of the runoff. Widespread 1-2" is expected in 9 hours, with potential for narrow bands of 3-4" in the interior preferred upslope areas...maybe this time CT? 6A/21

Summary CoCoRAHS data will post around 10AM. Light wet snow just missed in nw NJ yesterday (Vernon few flurries was as far northwest as it got). Snow started breaking through the dry low layer in se NYS with flurries and I see Islip and Commack on LI measured tiny snow from the general light snow that melted on contact along along the I95 corridor in NJ/NYC. CT and MA did much better with 1/2 to 1 inch amounts.

Good Monday morning north and west suburbs! Just missed in nw NJ yesterday, and se NYS only flurries from what I can tell but Islip on LI measured tiny snow from the general light snow along I95. CT and MA did better with 1/2 to 1 inch amounts. So, I add one graphic for the period of 9PM tonight to 9AM tomorrow. No guarantees on slushy accumulations as depicted by this 06Z HRRRX but I do think some snow/sleet/rain showers will occur during the night with surface temps near 30 or 32F.

I am considering a new topic to post around 730AM this morning for a moderate or greater rain changing to snowstorm event for the I84 region, possibly down to the immediate NYC north and west suburbs for next Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday 28-29-30 (special emphasis Tue-29th). I need more time to think it through. DT from yesterday or before and BlueWave and others in the previous several days have highlighted the potential. I think it's on the more defined modeling board now for general awareness (EC first op, I think but please correct me if I'm wrong). Need to frame it reasonably, leaving options open because of thermal profiles/tracking.

Looks like nw 1/4 NJ and a part of interior se NYS, and most of ne PA will have missed this minor short duration negligible impact event except to brighten the spirits of the snow enjoying families/shoppers. I thought we'd at least get flurries up here but NOT so far. Not complaining. Just an observation. Nice day up here, despite no snow.

12z GFS is in a hurry... and weaker than previous few cycles and not accepting GFS parallel as the solution. Not buying 12z/20 GFS. Upper air features w ATLC and near 80W were 00z/06z ensembled strong. I'm waiting this out til tomorrow morning 00z-06z/21 cycles. I expect the GGEM EC and UK will be a bit slower and stronger than the 12z/20 GFS. I agree w general perception the GFS P is better than the current V15 version, but I know not always. I suspect on two or three cases, the Parallel V16 will do better than the current V15 version on separated trough s of 40N... handling amplification and slowing better. Just a gut feeling. This one is not that. Gotta run.

Snow concentration seems to be southeast of I84, close to I95. Howell NJ via mPing with snow now. Enjoy this NYC.

Via mPing: now a bit of snow in the air around Allentown, PA

Good Sunday morning everyone, Dec 20. The windshield wipering of the models continues back and forth but there is more consensus. There is no doubt that we have a pretty good storm coming, that may be lights out for some on Christmas, and where did the water come from along a few rivers and streams, even in still snow clogged street drainage basins of the interior. Topic: back to the more robust initial discussion this morning with minor adjustments. Timing varies from the faster locked in GFS to the EC op that has been wipering a bit, and slower. Duration of the occasionally heavy rain may extend now up to 18 hours. Therefore, WPC's 1.5" qpf now covers all of the NYC subforum and there is a modeled option maybe spot 4" in some of the interior higher terrain, if duration of the heavy rain swath is indeed closer to 18 hours. 00z-06z/20 op model consensus now has 75-85 KT 850 jet for Thursday night-Friday morning (EPS/GEFS clearly 55 kt or greater). So the 70 MPH gusts could affect a small part of LI with a more general 50-65MPH expected elsewhere along the I95 corridor and possibly a few ridges of the interior,though my confidence on this ridge gust occurrence is lower than NYC, NJ and CT coasts. MMEFS suggests a number of rivers may approach action stage or go into flood so I suspect this will eventually need a flood watch as we draw closer to the 24th, and of course dependent on the updated qpf. Follow NWS statements on this. Tail end snow on Christmas: still possible, especially hilly regions near I84. Have added the 00z/20 GEFS chance of 60 MPH gusts at 06z/25. 606A/20

Periods of light snow or flurries today in the I84 corridor will possibly maximize their accumulations near Interstate 95 between 10AM and 3PM with a narrow stripe of 1," possibly just sw through north of NYC and a chance of measurable in the city. Not all models agree but the NAM, RGEM, HRRR from 06z/20 are on board. Doubt if it will much impact on well traveled pavements, especially treated, but side streets etc may become slush covered with this pleasant refreshing of the snowpack, wherever more than 1/4" occurs. Central and eastern LI may not see snow or if any, it would be too warm for accumulation. Checking the 3K NAM profile, there is a small chance visibility will lower to 3/4 mi in S- for an hour or so during midday. For the I84 corridor, maximum snowfall appears destined for CT and occurring there mostly this afternoon. One experimental snow accumulation graphic is added from 06z/20 (HRRRX) Not for this thread, but a heads that increasingly unstable moist lapse rates may bring a surprise 1" to parts of our NYC suborum between 10PM Monday and 10 AM Tuesday with the passage of a fairly strong cold trough aloft. A separate thread will be started for that on Monday, if that speculation still looks reliable. 536A/20 Edited 105PM: Looks like nw 1/4 NJ and a part of interior se NYS, and most of ne PA will have missed this minor short duration negligible impact event except to brighten the spirits of the snow enjoying families/shoppers. I thought we'd at least get flurries up here but NOT so far. Not complaining. Just an observation. Nice day up here, despite no snow. No change on thinking for early Tue. 103PM.

Holding off til 530A Sunday, to be more certain it will be worthwhile. Looking halfway decent for bit of new snow NYCby Noon Tuesday.