Winter wx update

[WXBUFFJIM]

Good afternoon everyone. Some significant snows in many areas of the northeast Sunday. However many areas also saw less snow than anticipated due to a tremendous warm airmass aloft, thus a changeover to ice, sleet, and in some cases rain. As a result many places in northeast PA saw 4-8 inches of snow as opposed to 8-14 inches as was anticipated. The Lehigh Valley saw a few inches of snow, but more ice of 0.50-0.60 inches thick. Albany, NY was expecting over a foot of snow. However 7.2 inches of snow fell. While the snow amounts were significant, it wasn't as significant as anticipated from southeastern NY state down through Pennsylvania. Even Harrisburg saw just 3.3 inches of snow and no where near the 4-8 inches that was anticipated. However a few places in PA saw significant snows of near or over a foot. Everett, PA in Bedford County saw 12.2 inches of snow and Johnstown, PA saw 11 inches of snow on Sunday. The key point to make though is it's only mid December and the calender winter hasn't even hit yet. Calender winter starts on December 22nd. So we have a long way to go obviously.

Further northward, there were some pretty impressive snow amounts in the ski resort areas and in interior areas such as the Green and White Mountains and in northern New Hampshire and northern Vermont. The big winner was Jay Peak, Vermont with 38 inches of snow. 18 inches fell in Burlington, Vermont, and 15 inches fell in Syracuse, NY. The New York Thruway and the Northway were pretty nasty for travel on Sunday and early Monday.

Also an apparent gravity wave roared through the New Jersey shore between 6 and 8 PM EST on Sunday evening. A wind gust of 58 mph was reported in Atlantic City, NJ. Some isolated areas along the Jersey shore experienced wind gusts up to 70 mph. Numerous trees and powerlines were reported down because of this.

Another effect with this storm is the near record setting wet year in Baltimore. 61.10" of rain and melted snow occurred at BWI in 2003. The all time record is 62.35" at BWI set back in 1889. 1889 and 2003 are the only years on record that BWI saw at or over 60 inches of rain during a one year time. Records at BWI Airport started in 1871.

Another storm system will likely crank up by late Wednesday into Thursday along the Mid Atlantic coast. Snow amounts will likely not be as significant. However winds will likely be a problem with this 4th nor' easter in over a week and a half time. After Thursday, finally a drier and calmer weekend for the northeast and mid atlantic region. More updates later.

Jim

[Chris the Weather Man]

I hope we will see a really white Christmas!! I hope Old Man Winter drops 18 inches or more snow next week!!! ( Or not, I just want it to snow on Christmas!)

[WXBUFFJIM]

That's all it matters. Whether it's 2 inches of snow or 18 inches, at least it's white,

Jim

[CaptinCrunch]

Good report, Thanks for the info Jim