I'm starting to get winter of 2018/19 vibes where we weaseled our way to the snow mean by playing the numbers game in an active pattern. Overall, it's just not cold enough. I'm not even sure I really want to track another one of those brief snow to mix/rain events anymore. There's been too many of those the last couple years. My goal right now is a 4-6" snowstorm...no sleet...just a simple storm like early January 2022.
Yea, I think ultimately we needed a fresh Canadian hp, not an antecedent airmass, at least for this particular setup. This was a useful trial run, though.
It’s pretty wintry out there right now. Snow is sticking to everything here. Millvillewx mentioned the valley here can do a good job holding the cold in and that’s exactly what’s happening so far.
Snuck a trip in to Beans and Bagels. Just a sleet mix here. 30F on my car gauge. It is cold…maybe the heavier stuff will consist of that elusive white stuff.
I went to Winchester a couple years ago...definitely a nice, little walkable downtown. If I remember correctly, everything was kinda consolidated into one long strip of shops and eats.
If you were to show me this 500mb map and nothing else, I would assume a rainstorm: https://www.tropicaltidbits.com/analysis/models/?model=namconus®ion=us&pkg=z500_vort&runtime=2024010606&fh=8
We almost need an arctic airmass in place to overcome this type of mess at the upper levels. Winds near the surface are straight out of the southwest: https://www.tropicaltidbits.com/analysis/models/?model=namconus®ion=us&pkg=mslp_pwat&runtime=2024010606&fh=7
I'm going to be content if I see an hour of snow out of this.
I think it’s ultimately a product of not having sustained blocking. I wonder if this is the type of setup where the Catoctins help keep Hagerstown on the cold side…almost like a reverse cad lol. Maybe to a lesser degree the rolling hills southeast of Frederick help keep temps at bay. The latter might be wishful thinking.