Isotherm

As you know, examination of one variable in a vacuum is typically complex given there are always/invariably numerous constructively and destructively interfering forcing agents. That said, all else being held equal, generally +EAMT events are a net positive as far as enhanced favorability for downstream z500 patterns in the E US. The overall momentum budget right now is one of near parity to slightly above neutral, so we do not have a situation akin to 2016 w/ extremely high momentum precluding all ridge formations upstream (note, even in Jan 2016's very high momentum, the PNA was positive). Furthermore, the subseasonal forcing [e.g., MJO incoherence] also argues against prolonged -PNA. The mean state forcing thus far has promoted a neutral to positive PNA (which I expected until Feb) with a positive EPO. I would err toward model guidance improving on the PNA as we move past the New Year. As to your other inquiry - the location of the daughter vortices post split (or vortex post displacement) would govern location of coldest anomalies, but there are also gradations of SSW events -- some which briefly reverse z10/60N zonal winds, and those (more rare) which destroy the vortex. The latter tend to be better at creating their own regimes for about a month, sometimes even 40-45 days. But yes, hypothetically, sufficiently robust AO/NAO domain blocking would be able to countermand a much less conducive Pacific. Right now, modelling depicts the blocking action center slightly too far south on the Atlantic side to countermand. I think you'll find some of these z500 depictions changing somewhat over the next several days. Model chaos is further heightened in times of significant vortex assault as well.

@frd, not sure if you have been reading my updates in my winter outlook thread, but my thoughts remain the same as those expressed there (and not much disparate then initially w/ January). January still appears to offer the most conducive wintry potential in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic of the winter, in my view (my initial thoughts were normal to snowier than normal and slightly colder than normal - I don't see compelling reason to abandon this). Those thoughts were, and continue to be expressed irrespective of the outcome of any SSW technical event, a phenomenon which receives too much focus in my view. Speaking generally in the meteorological community, I think sometimes there is a propensity for expectations to be set too high, and when modelling doesn't accord with those overly heightened expectations, disappointment ensues (E.g., it was never wise to set the bar at "epic" January - while that outcome can happen - it's still somewhat low probability). The current contemporaneous wave-1 hit on the SPV + multiple robust Siberian high descents-->+EAMT--> jet extension should be more than sufficient to tilt the NAO/AO negative for much of January. As the initial jet extensions begin to relax post the medium range, I anticipate amelioration in the PNA domain beyond the 5th or so of January. The "good" news is that the troposphere has evidenced receptivity to stratospheric alterations this winter, meaning, coupling and feedback strat-trop is present, so even if a technical SSW occurs (again, not needed to reach my expectations for a decent January), it will tend to feedback and promote/maintain tropospheric blocking. Overall, I do not see substantial reason to panic from a winter enthusiast's perspective for the month of January in particular.

Full snow cover maintained here through Christmas Eve. Will be gone later today, but a solid period for early winter (16th-24th).

@griteater, thanks for your reply. Regarding the evolution: the amount of momentum which ultimately will be added to the system via the torque processes should not be superfluous/overpowering to the extent that all semblance of +GP heights are extirpated in W North America. January 2016 is an exemplar of what one might consider the epitome of an extreme +AAM regime, complete with anomalously coherent GWO circuits. Even in that paradigm, the PNA domain was positive (actually, strongly so), and even the EPO neutral to slightly negative, w/ a GOAK trough immediately west of the W North American Coast. Of course the +ve momentum regime extant is much less anomalous, and the z500 is multifactorial, but it's an example of what can happen. I think modelling (e.g., EPS depiction for early January) should eventually morph into a depiction wherein we see positive geopotential heights in the PNA domain, and close to neutral or positive heights extending northward on the W Coast of North America. We should see the lower GP heights retrograde somewhat, but I'm not yet sold on a massive -EPO in conjunction with a +PNA/-NAO. My original thinking for January was +PNA/-NAO and EPO closer to neutral or pos., as preseason factors did not appear favorable for prolonged -EPO. One factor to aid the EPO heights, possibly, is stratospheric alterations - however - will need to monitor. So, in short, I think we'll see data back off somewhat on driving the Pacific jet through W NA, and eventually by early January, begin to see the +PNA reform with at least near neutral EPO. That pattern along with the Atlantic changes should be sufficient to make the pattern interesting for many. It's far out, but the end of the EPS seems to begin these changes to which I refer in the PNA domain.

Additionally (supplement to your good points here) regarding the United States "average" snowfall, left unsaid is whether that average is derived via a population weighted calculation. The raw average may be somewhat deceptive. A comparison of moderately-highly populated cities rather than an incorporation of all towns in the entire United States would likely yield NYC well above the 50th percentile. Locally, I've calculated a 31.0" average snowfall for 1990-2020. It's been an excellent 20 year period in interior Monmouth County. Like portions of central LI, here, we tend to benefit from late developing Miller Bs, further mesoscale enhancement from the Sandy Hook Bay on NELY flow during winter storms, and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, but not close enough to materially lower the snowfall average. Hence Monmouth County features a fairly interesting climate, and frequently steep snowfall gradient NW-SE/NNW/SSE in numerous storms. There's about a 9-10" differential in average snowfall across the county; 30-31" in the N/W and close to 20-21" in Manasquan. (My website here: https://www.lightinthestorm.com/nj-snowfall ). Newark Airport also has a 31.1" 30-year running average 1990-2020 per latest data. My median 30-year snowfall is 29.0", which is not far from the mean, and it suggests the frequency of above and below normal snowfall winters aren't too dissimilar. Contrast to locations farther south (for example, DCA) wherein snowfall medians are quite a bit lower than means. Also, possibly axiomatic, but the average for a given place is deceptive in how that average arrives. Most of the Mid-west outside of the Lakes region derives those 25-35" averages via frequently low end snowfall events (as you know). I think the region 39N-41N on the eastern side of North America has some of the most significant and fascinating variability in winter-time weather.

My brief thoughts on the coming multi-week period (reposted in my outlook thread as well main board); rapidly increased favorability should initiate at the tail end of December. "The GFS based guidance is likely rushing the genesis/realization of the auspicious pattern; the ECMWF/EPS are more congruous with the physical drivers. z50 geopotential heights favor a positive NAO from now through circa Dec 28th; as the Canadian 'warming' occurs in the stratosphere and z50 restructures w/ a wave-2 paradigm, geopotential heights will begin to respond within a few days over the NAO domain, with diminution there in the final 1-2 days of December/beyond. The classical Siberian high descent initiates December 26th +/- a couple of days which will induce a +EAMT and jet extension event at the very end of December, and thus ameliorating the downstream Pacific/PNA/EPO domain pattern by the early days of January. Therefore, the December 28th-January 2nd period should feature expeditious amelioration of the hemispheric pattern, first, with improvement in the NAO domain at the very end of December, then, shortly followed by the Pacific. If there is a storm threat of significance in late December, it would likely favor the interior Northeast/New England, in my view, with a threat for I-95 beyond that time-frame (sometime in the first 10 days of January), but we'll see how it evolves."

The GFS based guidance is likely rushing the genesis/realization of the auspicious pattern; the ECMWF/EPS are more congruous with the physical drivers. z50 geopotential heights favor a positive NAO from now through circa Dec 28th; as the Canadian 'warming' occurs in the stratosphere and z50 restructures w/ a wave-2 paradigm, geopotential heights will begin to respond within a few days over the NAO domain, with diminution there in the final 1-2 days of December/beyond. The classical Siberian high descent initiates December 26th +/- a couple of days which will induce a +EAMT and jet extension event at the very end of December, and thus ameliorating the downstream Pacific/PNA/EPO domain pattern by the early days of January. Therefore, the December 28th-January 2nd period should feature expeditious amelioration of the hemispheric pattern, first, with improvement in the NAO domain at the very end of December, then, shortly followed by the Pacific. If there is a storm threat of significance in late December, it would likely favor the interior Northeast/New England, in my view, with a threat for I-95 beyond that time-frame (sometime in the first 10 days of January), but we'll see how it evolves.

7.5" is my final total here, after this morning's additional accumulation.

7.1" was my total here in Colts Neck, Monmouth County. Significant level storm - nice to see after a nearly 3 year snowfall drought. ...Monmouth County... Freehold 7.2 in 0930 PM 12/16 Public Colts Neck 7.1 in 1010 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Holmdel 7.0 in 0900 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Hazlet 6.5 in 1000 PM 12/16 Public 2 ENE Perrineville 6.3 in 0300 AM 12/17 Trained Spotter Freehold Twp 6.2 in 1015 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Howell 6.1 in 0830 PM 12/16 Public Manalapan Twp 6.0 in 1000 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter 1 S Howell 6.0 in 0605 PM 12/16 Public Rumson 5.5 in 0830 PM 12/16 Public 1 N Eatontown 4.5 in 0910 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Leonardo 4.0 in 0945 PM 12/16 Public Matawan 4.0 in 0920 PM 12/16 Amateur Radio Middletown 4.0 in 0824 PM 12/16 Public Tinton Falls 3.5 in 0847 PM 12/16 Public Long Branch 2.3 in 0900 PM 12/16 CO-OP Observer Cliffwood Beach 1.8 in 0600 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Wall Twp 1.8 in 0529 PM 12/16 Broadcast Media Atlantic Highlands 1.2 in 0548 PM 12/16 Public Oakhurst 0.8 in 0650 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter ...Monmouth County... Freehold 7.2 in 0930 PM 12/16 Public Colts Neck 7.1 in 1010 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Holmdel 7.0 in 0900 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Hazlet 6.5 in 1000 PM 12/16 Public 2 ENE Perrineville 6.3 in 0300 AM 12/17 Trained Spotter Freehold Twp 6.2 in 1015 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Howell 6.1 in 0830 PM 12/16 Public Manalapan Twp 6.0 in 1000 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter 1 S Howell 6.0 in 0605 PM 12/16 Public Rumson 5.5 in 0830 PM 12/16 Public 1 N Eatontown 4.5 in 0910 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Leonardo 4.0 in 0945 PM 12/16 Public Matawan 4.0 in 0920 PM 12/16 Amateur Radio Middletown 4.0 in 0824 PM 12/16 Public Tinton Falls 3.5 in 0847 PM 12/16 Public Long Branch 2.3 in 0900 PM 12/16 CO-OP Observer Cliffwood Beach 1.8 in 0600 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter Wall Twp 1.8 in 0529 PM 12/16 Broadcast Media Atlantic Highlands 1.2 in 0548 PM 12/16 Public Oakhurst 0.8 in 0650 PM 12/16 Trained Spotter

I also posted the following in my winter outlook thread: Brief update with some thoughts on the storm threat & overall winter outlook. The provenance of this week's storm threat for the Northeast corridor can be traced backward in time to the robust poleward and eastward transfer of angular momentum, which is large part mediated this fairly unique (given various background indicators) episode of high latitude blocking. Most of the diminution of negativity is focused in the AO domain space, but the NAO has turned negative and will remain there for a period. It is this poleward momentum deposit and associated +GP height/50-50 anomaly which will act to largely countermand a less than optimal Pacific regime. This projected storm represents the most auspicious precondition set-up in a few years for the Northeast coast. It is highly likely that Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston and NYC will receive at least 5-6" of snowfall, possibly DCA as well. The heaviest axis of snow - location indeterminate - will likely feature 8-16" on average. The most accumulation will occur approximately 1.5 degrees W/N of the path of the z850 low, and slightly W/N of the path of the z700 low, as evidenced by optimal uplift/DGZ confluence. This zone may occur anywhere from the northern mid Atlantic coast to north of NYC, depending upon the z500 evolution. It's nigh impossible to ascertain this zone right now. However, more importantly, from my perspective, is the storm opportunity provides a quasi-indicator for forthcoming pattern relapses. December's temperature departures thus far are according with my winter outlook: generally warm nationwide with the core of the warmth in the W-C plains, and cooler in the SE US. The z500 of +EPO, neutral-positive PNA is also verifying. The December AO and potentially NAO will be more negative than expected (hence the larger storm threat this week). However, this episode provides insight to me, that tropospheric receptivity is heightened for another pulse(s) of momentum transfer, and increased favorability, for my target winter month in the Northeast (January). If anything, the events of this week suggest to me that my January ideas are on track (for NYC: slightly colder than normal, and snowier than normal). A technical SSW is unlikely this winter, but the SPV should be weaker than normal for early-mid January. My expectation is the NAO will neutralize beyond this week, along with the AO, as the SPV reconsolidates and momentum alters. Thereupon, the Pacific should reorganize into a more conducive structure again, by the end of December. Thereafter, there will be another decline opportunity in the NAO/AO in the month of January, potentially operating contemporaneously with a +PNA and even near neutral EPO. My thoughts remain the same for beyond January. However, this week's storm will increase the probability that NYC's seasonal snowfall ends in the upper portion of my range, assuming the winter pattern continues to proceed as I anticipate. My projection at this stage for snowfall this week is 6-12" for NYC, a significant snowstorm. Again, the heaviest axis will be a function of z700/z850 proximities.

Brief update with some thoughts on the storm threat & overall winter outlook. The provenance of this week's storm threat for the Northeast corridor can be traced backward in time to the robust poleward and eastward transfer of angular momentum, which is large part mediated this fairly unique (given various background indicators) episode of high latitude blocking. Most of the diminution of negativity is focused in the AO domain space, but the NAO has turned negative and will remain there for a period. It is this poleward momentum deposit and associated +GP height/50-50 anomaly which will act to largely countermand a less than optimal Pacific regime. This projected storm represents the most auspicious precondition set-up in a few years for the Northeast coast. It is highly likely that Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston and NYC will receive at least 5-6" of snowfall, possibly DCA as well. The heaviest axis of snow - location indeterminate - will likely feature 8-16" on average. The most accumulation will occur approximately 1.5 degrees W/N of the path of the z850 low, and slightly W/N of the path of the z700 low, as evidenced by optimal uplift/DGZ confluence. This zone may occur anywhere from the northern mid Atlantic coast to north of NYC, depending upon the z500 evolution. It's nigh impossible to ascertain this zone right now. However, more importantly, from my perspective, is the storm opportunity provides a quasi-indicator for forthcoming pattern relapses. December's temperature departures thus far are according with my winter outlook: generally warm nationwide with the core of the warmth in the W-C plains, and cooler in the SE US. The z500 of +EPO, neutral-positive PNA is also verifying. The December AO and potentially NAO will be more negative than expected (hence the larger storm threat this week). However, this episode provides insight to me, that tropospheric receptivity is heightened for another pulse(s) of momentum transfer, and increased favorability, for my target winter month in the Northeast (January). If anything, the events of this week suggest to me that my January ideas are on track (for NYC: slightly colder than normal, and snowier than normal). A technical SSW is unlikely this winter, but the SPV should be weaker than normal for early-mid January. My expectation is the NAO will neutralize beyond this week, along with the AO, as the SPV reconsolidates and momentum alters. Thereupon, the Pacific should reorganize into a more conducive structure again, by the end of December. Thereafter, there will be another decline opportunity in the NAO/AO in the month of January, potentially operating contemporaneously with a +PNA and even near neutral EPO. My thoughts remain the same for beyond January. However, this week's storm will increase the probability that NYC's seasonal snowfall ends in the upper portion of my range, assuming the winter pattern continues to proceed as I anticipate. My projection at this stage for snowfall this week is 6-12" for NYC, a significant snowstorm. Again, the heaviest axis will be a function of z700/z850 proximities.

Thanks all for the comments. Ray - I just posted a full response to your above comments on your thread. Weather53, I have not seen either of their forecasts yet, though I think I read CWG was coming out with their outlook this week (or soon). Michigan - I think you're correct on that. I anticipate a fairly cold picture across Canada this year, not atypical for strong La Ninas, and so, any spasmodic perturbations w/ short wave trough slipping through the Lakes/Northeast could ephemerally plunge temperatures to very low values, before rising again. I especially anticipate this volatility later in December and January.

Ray - saw your comment on my thread. Just had a read of your forecast - great work and write up as per usual; well reasoned. As you noted, we are essentially harmonious on the bigger picture and overall season, but mostly differ on timing. I had initially thought early winter/Dec would be favored about a month ago, but as some of the mid autumn data emerged, it drove me toward the January-focused potential more and more. Re March, agree, lower confidence expressed here, though at this juncture I think it will be fairly hostile for the Eastern US. Here's my analogs z500 composite for March, if you're interested. Will be fascinating to see how this winter evolves, and certainly from a more local perspective, whether we can exceed snowfall totals of the past two winter seasons.

My winter outlook has been posted on the main board, which links to it, for those interested:

My winter outlook has been posted on the main board, which links to it, for those interested:

My winter outlook has been posted on the main board, which links to it, for those interested:

My winter outlook for the 2020-21 season can be read on my website, linked here, for those interested: https://www.lightinthestorm.com/

https://www.lightinthestorm.com/ See also, 2019-20 NJ Snowfall Totals: https://www.lightinthestorm.com/nj-snowfall

Verification. Below pasted from website. Brief analysis as time is limited. https://www.lightinthestorm.com/ Brief Analysis: Snowfall departures across the CONUS were generally congruous with expectations spatially – with the storm track favoring the Rockies, Upper Mid-west, and Northern New England for near or above normal snowfall. Snowfall forecast for Mid-Atlantic was accurate with well below average totals. NYC-BOS snowfall totals were forecasted to be below normal, with the reality featuring well below average totals. Overall snowfall forecast for the CONUS = A- Temperature wise, departures were well above normal across the East, versus a forecast for solidly above normal. The Southeast US and SW US were well forecast. The Plains/NW US were warmer than forecast. Overall temperature forecast for the CONUS = C/C- Local NYC region temperature forecast = C/C- Local NYC snowfall forecast = B/B- As to the pattern: forecast was +NAO, +EPO, -PNA, and near neutral AO. The only flaw in the pattern outlook was a more positive AO than expected for the second half of the winter, otherwise the z500 coincided very well with expectations. Overall pattern, 500mb forecast for the NHEM = A- Thus, the overall winter 2019-20 outlook yields a grade of: B-/B. This was a hit, and a very good forecast overall, with the primary flaw being the magnitude of the warmth, thus lowering the final grade .

Yes, my snowfall ranges, while indicating well below normal snowfall for NYC, were not sufficiently low. The ranges will be close for the Mid-Atlantic with a lower end of 5". That said, as I posted the below in the NY forum last week, I am very happy with the snowfall anomaly distribution versus reality nationwide, i.e., the anomalies and demarcation lines between above and below. I will do a full verification of my winter outlook later in March. The pattern, indices, and overall temps went very well, but the largest issue was I didn't go nearly warm enough magnitude wise. So that will dent the overall grade. Nonetheless, this winter was back on track of hits for me, following last winter's disaster. Unfortunately, it appears the end of Feb/early March window of opportunity will not be working out for most of the Northeast. Maybe there is one more window prior to the end of the season.

Some snowfall statistics for my location [partially interpolated with New Brunswick, pre-2000]. Even though this winter and last winter have been quite snowless, the decadal running and 30-year running snowfall averages are very good for Monmouth County. Current 30-year running average [1988/89-2018-19]: 31.2" If this winter were to end today snowfall wise, the 1989/90-2019-20 30 year normal would be 31.0" here, a significant increase from 1980-2010, which was 28.9". My decadal 2010-present snowfall average is 38.7" [the highest of any decade since 1950]. If this winter were to end today, the new 2010-2020 decadal average would be 35.4", which would still be higher than 2000-2010's of 33.8" and the 1960s of 34.1". Conclusion: while the past two winters made a decent dent, the overall decadal and 30-year running snowfall average locally is still the best its been since likely the early 1900s.

Thanks, all, for the comments - much appreciated. Hopefully, we can secure one event before the end of the season. We will have a brief window before the base state resumes. On the discussion of the performance of the seasonal models from last autumn: from my perspective, the key take-away there is not necessarily to buy into the guidance verbatim or all the time, but that they are invaluable tools to be employed in the total picture. The seasonal models, by contrast [including the ECMWF] performed rather poorly in the 2018-19 pre-season forecast. But there were certain physical mechanisms this year that supported the seasonal models prognostications. So, I think it's a matter of stepping back and comparing the seasonal guidance to observations, and posing the inquiry: does this make sense? From last autumn, the seasonal model projections made a lot of sense meteorologically. The "trick" of course is deciphering when the models will perform well / are on the correct path, and when they are not.

This winter has continued the theme of "stagnancy" - that is, absent novel forcing mechanisms, we maintain a similar set of indicators, and thus, z500 regimes tend to repeat. For example, the SSTA profile in the Atlantic has been quite similar since 2017, which has been reinforcing the humid/warm summer signal in the East. This winter featured many of the same indicators as 2018-19, and as a result, the mean storm track followed suit. These snowfall departures with respect to normal have a base period of 2008-2018, but still impart the general picture of snowfall anomalies to date [h/t Eric Snodgrass]. Underneath that image is my snowfall anomaly outlook for this winter. The season is not over yet, but I'm quite content to see the anomalies are highly congruous with my pre-season expectations. Upper-Mid-west and northern Maine jackpots.

That is correct. Warmer than normal and below average snowfall. Here were the snowfall ranges from my outlook for the Mid-Atlantic region: Baltimore, MD: 7-15” Washington DC: 5-13” Richmond, VA: 3-11” It appears we may struggle to reach the low-end of my ranges for those locations. I do think there is a window for one event near the beginning of March +/- a few days.

As delineated hitherto, I do not see any reason to abandon the window of opportunity between February 25th-early March. It will certainly provide the most propitious z500 structure of the entire meteorological winter to date [a low standard]; now, that does not necessarily imply any guarantees re snowfall, merely that probabilities will be quite a bit higher than previously. The high frequency intraseasonal forcing should disintegrate east of the dateline, and reorganize in the Eastern Hemisphere. Momentum in the N-HEM inauspicious as well as tropospheric receptivity to blocking still low, so I would not anticipate a negative NAM/NAO, however, the PNA/EPO domains should alter/ameliorate via the Pacific forcing for an ephemeral window.