Baltimore/DC winter storm watch, snow amounts from clipper

[Stephanie]

We have a winter storm watch up now for my area. They are still looking at the possibility for over 6 inches of snow. In Atlantic City, the one radio station that I listen to was forecasting 3 - 6 inches of snow and maybe more, depending upon whether or not it mixes with sleet and freezing rain. I'm 50 miles inland.

We had alittle over an inch of snow from the clipper yesterday. It made everything pretty and the travelling wasn't bad at all.

[WXBUFFJIM]

I got 1.8" from yesterdays storm. There could be over 6" for philly from the weekend storm potentially.

[Jack8631]

I have a co-worker flying into BWI sometime tomorrow morning (family emergeny). Please keep us updated on the timing of this event so I can relay some accurate information. Thanks in advance, it's much appreciated.

[WXBUFFJIM]

ThingS are expected to be fine Saturday morning for BWI and Washington DC. After about noon time, all bets are off as conditions are expected to worsen quite rapidly. The following is forecast maps here http://community.webshots.com/album/255662789RgcvtO depicting that snow will develop around midday Saturday and linger through Saturday night and possibly even into Sunday morning if the coastal low brings in some additional moisture. However the key to this forecast is the later we go into Saturday and into Sunday morning, the worse it gets because not only will snow be a factor, but strong winds with gusts of 35-40 mph Saturday night into Sunday. Thic should result in near white out conditions at times from DC and Baltimore and up through Philly and New York as well.

As for accumulations, expect 8-12 inches in Baltimore City points north to the Mason Dixon line from midday Saturday through about Sunday morning. Expect 6-8 inches at BWI and 5-8 inches at Reagan National in Washington. Some of the heaviest snow may fall from Philly up to New York City where 12-18 inches is a possibility with strong winds to boot. Near blizzard conditions maybe the result especially Saturday night into Sunday.

Jim

[Jack8631]

Thanks, Jim. Good luck with the storm.

[BaltimoreGirl]

Thanks for the forecast Jim!
I wound up rescheduling the kids birthday party tomorrow. Figured no one was going to leave the house tomorrow with the threat of this storm coming.

[WXBUFFJIM]

Good luck tomorrow BG. Looks like it's still coming, it may produce widespread totals up to 1 foot of snow with strong winds blowing and drifting that snow around. Definitely not looking like a good weekend. I'll give you pics of this storm after it's over BG.

Take care and I wish you the best of luck. It's looking huge for the I 95 corridor!!!

Jim

[Jack8631]

Thanks for the forecast Jim!
I wound up rescheduling the kids birthday party tomorrow. Figured no one was going to leave the house tomorrow with the threat of this storm coming.

It's starting to look like a pretty good storm; I'd like to be back home in Parkville to witness it.

[WXBUFFJIM]

Hope you can. I'm sure you'll be alright. The worse of it comes in from mid afternoon and lasting through the night Saturday. But the start will be likely around midday Saturday.

I live down the road in Essex by the way.

[Jack8631]

I won't be making the trip; I was info-fishing for a friend. Wish I could be there to see this event.. I haven't seen more than a few flurries here since 2002, and that wasn't much more than a dusting. A rather long snowless stretch, even for central Alabama.

I know Essex well; lived and worked on Philadelphia Rd near the old Golden Ring Mall for several years.

BaltimoreGirl, sorry about the party. It sounds like to made the right decision to cancel.

[adelphi_sky]

Whoa! The temp just dropped 5 degrees in 90 minutes! 24.5 degrees in Adelphi now.

[BaltimoreGirl]

Thanks Jim and Jack8631.
The kids will get over it, party is rescheduled for 2 weeks from now. With January birthdays, they both are used to having a postponement due to the weather, from time to time.

Just dug out the snowblower from the back of the shed(this old back doesn't like shoveling anymore) So, I'm ready for whatever Mother Nature tosses at us.

[WXBUFFJIM]

Good luck BG and enjoy it tomorrow. I'm planning to photograph the situation during and after the storm and it will take 7-10 layers of warm clothing to do the job most likely. If you want pics of this storm BG and anyone, feel free to tell me and I'll work on it after we get through this blockbuster storm. Tendencies seem to be for more of a blockbuster situation with snow and near blizzard conditions even in Baltimore and Washington even though the worse of this will likely be from Philly up through New York and Boston.

Jim

[simplykristi]

Hi Jim,
Stay safe! Can't eait to see pics!

Kristi

[BaltimoreGirl]

Yes Jim, be careful!
and I can't wait to see your pics!

[WXBUFFJIM]

I'll be safe for sure. Hey if you're a real wx watcher here, watch out later this morning into this afternoon as very heavy snow bands move in from Ohio. Lightning has been detected with this snow. So thundersnow is a possibility this afternoon. This means snowfall rates could be 2-3 inches per hour at times from 11 am-5 pm today in Baltimore and Washington DC and the snow maybe accompanied by thunder and lightning later this afternoon. This partly explains why we could see 8-15" in Baltimore and 6-12" in Washington DC.

More updates this afternoon as we continue through the storm. Watch out for blizzard conditions tomorrow with wind gusts of 40-50 mph. Even if the snow ends, ground blizzard conditions are likely from DC to Boston.

Jim

Jim

[Lowpressure]

NWS backing down on totals now. They are looking hard at the ETA. Precip type is coming to be a concern. They have no clue. It has been an accumulation rollercoaster. It is almost better to just look out your window when it comes to NWS D.C. They have been wrong all week, either way too low with first clipper, then total miss on second clipper (except Richmond which got more than forecasted) Now this time it is anyones guess as we watch.

[WXBUFFJIM]

They need to consider the fact that the low over western PA will DIE, and transfer it's energy to southern Virginia where a new low will bomb out this afternoon. I still expect all snow for DC and Baltimore. Areas south of DC, Annapolis, and Dover could see freezing rain and sleet mixed in. The latest eta run reveals this new low transfer to southern VA. So at this point it looks like all snow for Baltimore.

There maybe periods this afternoon where snowfall rates are 2-3" per hour with convective snow possible. So thunder and lightning cannot be ruled out either. I'm sticking with 6-12" in Washington and 8-15" in Baltimore today into tonight.

Jim