Our second storm of the week is now departing to the northeast, bringing the widespread snow showers with it. Most are reporting that the forecast 2-5” have fallen. As the low pressure moves off to the Northeast, it will begin to deepen, or strengthen as it goes. With a high starting to push into our area, the pressure gradient will sharply increase overnight. This means we should see wind speeds increasing through Sunday. Expect afternoon gusts upwards of 25mph, causing blowing and drifting of the snow on the ground.
With the winds coming in from the northwest, they will be bringing in colder air, keeping the thermometer in the low to mid 20s. When you add the strong gusts, wind chills may feel close to 10°! The colder air will likely trigger lake effect snow showers, though at this time significant snowfall is not anticipated.
Looking ahead toward the end of 2012 and start of 2013, snow showers are in the forecast as an arctic cold front looks to move into the region. Were this to materialize, then a shot of cold air would be here by New Year’s Day as well as the threat for lake effect snow showers.
