Mesoscale Discussion 0130
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0939 PM CST Thu Feb 02 2023
Areas affected...Northern into central PA...central NY...VT...and
western NH
Concerning...Snow Squall
Valid 030339Z - 030745Z
SUMMARY...Snow squalls could continue spreading east-southeastward
across parts of the Northeast during the next few hours. Rapid
visibility reductions in bursts of heavy snow are possible.
DISCUSSION...Latest mosaic radar imagery shows a well-organized snow
squall moving east-southeastward at around 30-40 kt across parts of
central NY. This band is generally focused along the leading edge of
a southeastward-advancing arctic cold front, which is expected to
continue overspreading parts of the Northeast during the next few
hours. Regional VWP data depicts 50 kt of west-southwesterly flow in
the lowest 3 km, which combined with strong/focused forcing for
ascent and pockets of conditionally unstable boundary-layer
conditions preceding the snow squall, should support its maintenance
with eastward extent. The primary limiting factor continues to be
somewhat dry low-level conditions, though it appears that the
aforementioned factors are generally compensating for this.
Therefore, the potential for rapid visibility reductions in bursts
of heavy snow should continue spreading east-southeastward across
the Northeast during the next few hours before a gradual decrease in
intensity/organization.