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ncforecaster89

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Posts posted by ncforecaster89

    January 31-February 2, 2021 Major Winter Storm Observations

    in Philadelphia Region

    Posted

    4 hours ago, Wentzadelphia said:

    I chased that storm to Allentown originally the day of part 1. However the NAM had me nervous  so I decided to go to Dover NJ (N NJ)...I did really well 24+ (not sure exact official amount)...When did you originally drive up for the system? Was this area your first call to go to? 

    Hi Wentz!  My wife’s parents live in Lancaster, PA...so I drove there through the night of January 31, into the morning of February 1.  Took a quick nap and left their house around 1230 pm, driving through Reading and on into Allentown.  From there, I was just watching the radar to see where I felt the CCB was going to pivot...which led me to Easton.  
     

    You definitely picked a great location! I recall the PNS listing a 35.1” total for Mt. Arlington, NJ (which would apparently be a record for the state)...which is less than 5 miles to the NW of Dover.  If accurate, it’s likely you also saw totals upwards of 30”, if not possibly a little more? 

    January 31-February 2, 2021 Major Winter Storm Observations

    in Philadelphia Region

    Posted

    Hi everyone in this excellent sub forum! I enjoyed the discussion here during my recent chase event in the area.  Finally put together a relatively short video summarization of that historic event; link provided below.   
     

    Based on all the information I could find, it appears that the 36.1” measurement obtained in Nazareth correlates to the largest single storm total ever recorded in the Lehigh Valley.    
     

     

    • Like 4

    January 31-February 2, 2021 Major Winter Storm Observations

    in Philadelphia Region

    Posted

    5 hours ago, Hurricane Agnes said:

    I think a number or reports also come from members of CoCoRaHS - https://www.cocorahs.org/

    They have a series of "how-to" videos for measuring various types of precipitation including snow, that follows the standard protocols -

    I expect that the more serious dedicated ones will then go on and attend the NWS Spotter training course (when available).

    I would highly recommend those interested attend those spotter training classes.  They've been around a very long time and are a huge asset to the various NWS offices.  

    Not to be confrontational, unintentionally with anyone, getting a spotter certification doesn't automatically correspond to accurate measurements being that I've often seen spurious totals being sent to the NWS...as I'm sure many of you, too, have noticed.  My guess is the human tendency for a few to exaggerate those amounts.   

    • Like 1
    • Weenie 1

    January 31-February 2, 2021 Major Winter Storm Observations

    in Philadelphia Region

    Posted

    42 minutes ago, MGorse said:

    We found out a trained spotter in Sussex County NJ cleared their snowboard to frequently which resulted in a higher amount, so we did not use that report. 
     

    Our ABE snow observer is very thorough and we trust the measurements. The official airport measurements are taken every 6 hours and the board is cleared. 

    Thank you for taking the time to post that info.  For the record, I'm very familiar with how the measurements are taken as well as what's involved in being designated a "trained spotter." I used to work at the NWS myself way back in the mid '90's.  

    Let me clarify, my own personal opinion that it's highly likely ABE received more than the official 27.3" amount is based primarily on my own observation of the snowfall rates and accumulations that occurred in Easton...while seeing similar returns on radar at ABE throughout Tuesday (2/2/21).

    Consequently, I can't conceptualize how ABE could've legitimately only received a total of 0.4" from midnight on 2/2/21 through 9 am on 2/3/21...despite a total of 23 "light snow" hourly obs during that time period.

    All that aside, I want to convey my appreciation for the excellent job you and your office did during this particular event!  

    • Weenie 1

    January 31-February 2, 2021 Major Winter Storm Observations

    in Philadelphia Region

    Posted

    1 hour ago, LVwxHistorian said: 
    
Mt. Pocono?????  Seem high??


...Monroe County...
 Mount Pocono                 36.9 in   0816 AM 02/03   Trained Spotter      
 Bossardsville                27.3 in   0453 PM 02/02   Public               
 Blakeslee                    27.0 in   0138 PM 02/03   Trained Spotter      
 2 NNW Pocono Mountains Munic 27.0 in   1200 PM 02/02   Trained Spotter      
 Pocono Pines                 27.0 in   0130 PM 02/02   Trained Spotter      
 Canadensis                   26.6 in   0700 AM 02/03   COOP                 
 Kunkletown                   26.0 in   1230 PM 02/02   Public               
 2 NNW Pen Argyl              26.0 in   0900 AM 02/02   Broadcast Media      
 Coolbaugh Twp                23.5 in   1000 PM 02/01   Trained Spotter      
 Effort                       22.5 in   0240 PM 02/02   Trained Spotter      
 Kresgeville                  22.0 in   0101 PM 02/02   Public

    Absolutely, I definitely think that the "trained spotter" was way too high when he/she made that measurement! :)

    Seriously, I don't see how there was a 10" difference between that ob and all the others in that specific county.  Also, don't believe the 36.1" report from Nazareth, either.    

    On the other hand, I think the official measurement at ABE is missing a couple of inches in their 27.3" total.

    • Weenie 1

    January 31-February 2, 2021 Major Winter Storm Observations

    in Philadelphia Region

    Posted

    16 minutes ago, KamuSnow said:

    Much respect for your diligence! Also, pretty cool that if you had to be stuck on the road somewhere, at least you got a nice nor'easter out of the deal.

    Thank you so much for your very thoughtful comment!  I feel the exact same way about the unexpected misfortune with my truck.  One, it can/could always be worse and second, I was able to still document an historic storm before my truck's transmission had given out. 

    • Thanks 1

    January 31-February 2, 2021 Major Winter Storm Observations

    in Philadelphia Region

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Birds~69 said:

    Light rain? And it's hard to believe a reduction of 10"+ inches w/highs in the 30's and overcast much of the day...

    Ok, I just spent the last two hours walking a one mile perimeter around the general vicinity of the hotel.  The depths varied greatly from a low of only 17.3"  on up to a high mark of 24.7"!

    These measurements were taken in completely open and exposed areas well away from buildings and roadways.  The vast majority of readings were between 22.3" & 24.4".  In all, I took 18 different measurements.  Discarding the highest and lowest (considering such significant drifting occurred here), I get an average current snow depth of 23.2".  

    Based on the visual observations from more than 30 hours ago, late Tuesday night, I'm going to estimate we lost roughly 3 to 4" in pack during that time.  So, the peak snow depth could've been as high as 26-27" late Tuesday night IF the peak didn't actually occur prior to that time (maybe 12 hours earlier on Tuesday AM).

    Lastly, I want to genuinely thank you for inspiring me to do a very extensive and thorough measurement process rather than simply relying on that singular reading I made a few hours ago...which was an inaccurate representation of what actually remains on the ground, here!

    • Thanks 1

    January 31-February 2, 2021 Major Winter Storm Observations

    in Philadelphia Region

    Posted

    29 minutes ago, Birds~69 said:

    Light rain? And it's hard to believe a reduction of 10"+ inches w/highs in the 30's and overcast much of the day...

    We had light rain here for about 4 hours (1130-330) before precip finally ended.  That and temps above freezing most of the day here really did a number on the pack.

    As I noted previously, I don't buy those 3' reports...but certainly believe this area exceeded 30" totals, without any doubts; of course, snow pack would be significantly below that over a 3 day storm.  To your point, that does seem way too low.  Consequently, I'm going to measure again up the road in a neighborhood as opposed to what I measured here at the hotel.

    Edit:  Important to note that I didn't measure the snow pack last night, but the difference relative to 24 hours ago is very substantial.

    • Weenie 1

    January 31-February 2, 2021 Major Winter Storm Observations

    in Philadelphia Region

    Posted

    3 hours ago, LVblizzard said:

    Looks like Nazareth ended up eclipsing the 3 foot mark. 36.1” officially reported there. Insanity!!

    Ironically, I'm currently stuck at a hotel in Nazareth after my truck's transmission gave out late Monday night in Easton, PA, where I documented this major event.  That 36.1" total looks very spurious to me.  There's still over 20" on the ground, after today's melting and compaction...so I certainly believe there was 30".  However, I feel pretty confident that figure that just so happens to eek out a full 3' isn't accurate.  

    That aside, I want to congratulate all the full-time residents, here, who experienced a truly memorable event, themselves!:)

    Upstate/Eastern New York

    in Upstate New York/Pennsylvania

    Posted

    26 minutes ago, rochesterdave said:

    Nice! You live up there? I remember coveting that location as a kid. At one time people thought it was the snow capital of the Great Lakes. Before Carol found the honey pot. 

    Hi Dave and Buffalo!  I’m up here with my wife and 20 month old baby girl building her first snowman (Olaf) and sledding on a hill.  Was on our way back to my wife’s families house in Lancaster, Pa. when I saw the forecast and the radar.  Decided to come into the Tug Hill to do the aforementioned.  

    • Like 4
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