wind and snow potential

[WXBUFFJIM]

Good evening folks. A very busy time coming up for the northeastern United States and the Middle Atlantic as well as a vigorous upper air disturbance and trailing cold front plow through early Sunday. As this upper air disturbance moves off the Jersey shore and off the southern New England coast, low pressure is expected to bomb out resulting in a tight pressure gradient across the northeast and mid atlantic states. Both inland and marine areas will feel the impact from this wind event. Secure all loose objects around your home and or business and if wanting to venture out over the marine areas, best bet is to wait for a day or two as winds will be quite strong and seas very choppy and hazardous. In addition precipitation in the form of rain, snow, and even thunderstorms will be an issue as well. In areas that receive accumulating snow, both snow and wind will create a dangerous combination with blowing snow being an issue as well.

There are numerous advisories and warnings out for tonight through Sunday. A winter storm warning is in effect for the snowburbs east of Cleveland, Ohio where 6-10 inches of snow is likely from Dunkirk, NY west through the Ashtabula area tonight through the day on Sunday. This is a lake effect prone area. The southtowns of Buffalo and also Jamestown, NY is under this winter storm warning as well. The city of Cleveland, Ohio is under a winter weather advisory where a few inches of snow is likely tonight through Sunday for the Cleveland area with less to the west and more to the east of the city. Meanwhile there is a winter storm watch in effect for areas east of Lake Ontario including the White and Green Mountains. Areas impacted under this watch include northern New York State, northern Vermont, and northern New Hampshire. This watch goes through Sunday night. In this area, 6 inches or more of heavy wet spring snow is possible.

There is another area of concern across western Maryland, western Virginia, and eastern Virginia where a favorable upslope flow west of the Allegany front will support significant snow accumulations between now and later Sunday evening. The snow combined with wind gusts over 45 mph will create possible whiteout conditions in this region. 3-6 inches of snow is possible in this region now through late Sunday afternoon.

The other big story with this storm will be wind, which will have quite an impact to opening day 2004 at Baltimore's Oriole Park at Camden Yards. A wind advisory is in effect for the Washington DC and Baltimore metropolitan areas through Sunday and likewise further west from Fredrick, MD through Hagerstown, MD and Martinsburg, WV. Even areas where significant snow is expected west of the allegany front is also under a wind advisory. Sustained winds of 25-35 mph with gusts 45-50 mph are expected in these areas. This wind will last through Sunday evenings baseball game opening day thriller at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. In addition to wind, snow flurries or snow showers are possible from time to time in Baltimore later Sunday. Little accumulation is expected in DC and Baltimore. However it will definitely be a nasty day in the DC and Baltimore areas. Wind advisories may also be extended northeastward to include Philadelphia, Allentown, New York City, Hartford, and Boston where wind gusts of 40-50 mph are possible in these areas as well through Sunday night.

Areas affected by this wind are urged to secure all loose objects around your home and or business as they could easily be turned into flying missles of debris. In addition to that, expect marine areas to be very choppy and hazardous for boaters and fishermen. With the prolonged northwesterly flow in place, some places, especially down near the Chesapeake and Delaware Bay could experience blowout tides of a few feet below normal. Area mariners trying to navigate shallow waters may have difficulty navigating due to the below normal tides. Something to keep in mind as we head through Sunday night and Monday when the real effects of this below normal/blowout tide becomes realized.

This situation will be monitored throughout the night and into the day on Sunday and further statements will be issued as neccessary on this.

Jim

[Lowpressure]

Very nice update, covers the situation well.

[Stephanie]

Yes, Jim always provides a very concise, well written summary.

I think though, if I see one snow flake, I'm going to lose my mind (or what's left of it).

[Stephanie]

I HAVE lost my mind!!! It's snowing!

[Lowpressure]

No snow here, just very windy!!