STORM2K

In the D.C. Metro area. I am curious. This will be my first winter up in this area.
My question would be: Does warm air always move in prior to the cold fronts coming form the west? What scenario would be a blocking mechanism to stop gulf moisture/heat from entering the area?
I would guess that these types of systems would not be our big snow makers, if at all.
Our snow makers would tend to reason to be Nor'easters spawned by a storm coming from more of a southerly direction.
Thank you in advance.

Generally high pressure needs to set up over ontatio and extend thru new york state and down into pennsylvania, it has to be "fresh" generally having arrived within the last 24 hours. Then an organized area of rain moves about over atlanta, thru central north carolina, and over or east of norfolk. This is the profile for a successful snow storm for dc area.

most important thing is High pressure delivering the cold air.....

DC can have alot of different low pressure scenarios...the one described by W53 is ideal...


another is is Gulf low forms and tracks towards the Tenn Valley..then a new low forms of SC coast...thats what happened in the Pres Day Storm....If the HIgh pressure is Massive it can supress a storm especially if there is blocking...if it moves out as it did in the prez day storm the Low can further Track North Up the Coast...

Also on Jan 5 of last year...a clipper energized as it went West to East and gave us 5 or so inches...thats pretty rare thought....

High pressure dosent always have to be present in NE Canada---but for the historic storms it almost always is---For a great Ice Storm---High Pressure is locked in over NE canada providing CAD while Surface Low tracks near or west of DC....thats how we get some pretty good ice storms...

Thank you for the knowledge. I am a Floridian and have lived here since May, this is new to me. I enjoy learning all I can about the area where I live. Thank again.