Winter-like Weather ... it's January

It’s windy. It’s chilly/cold. We had some flurries, and even a nice snow shower. It’s January. Typical weather. It’s supposed to feel like winter. It is after-all winter.

Now what about snow?  That is the focus for Saturday into Sunday. Does it snow?  How much if it does?  Will it cancel school on Monday? Will we be snowed in for several days?  And on and on.

Answers: Yes. 1-2”. No. No.

I said early in the week that the weekend system was one to watch. I wrote that it would bring us light snow as a minimum. Although I did not write it, I always felt this was a 1” to at most 5” system for us. Nothing big. Just a widespread light to moderate event. And it is looking to be a light snowfall.

What could change?

1. Not much room to change a lot due to the pattern. But the initial burst of snow could hold together better than indicated, and it gives us an additional 1” of so of snow.
2. Low reorganizes along coast faster than indicated and that results in a burst of steady snow Sunday morning giving us an additional 1” of snow.
3. Initial burst of snow falls apart more quickly and we receive less than 1” snow.
4. Big cold high to the north, delivers very dry air into the region, causing much of the snow to evaporate before hitting the ground resulting in less than 1” snow.

Basically, highest amounts I could see is 3” snow. Lowest is a coating.  I feel 99.9% confident in that it will snow some. 1-2” seems about right to me right now. Final call by Sat morning. 

After that is it seasonable. High pressure controls until mid-week when a weak system moves through with a few snow showers being possible. No accumulation expected at this time.

Next weekend, the 18-20 is one to watch. A more significant system could be looming. This one has more potential to bring heavier precipitation. It could be all snow, a cold rain or a combination of the two. Not sure yet. There is plenty of time to figure that one out.

One thing is certain. Our mild rain dominated weather pattern is changing. Winter is back and probably be staying around for a while. 

Enjoy.