Accumulating Snowfall For Monday

Champlain Valley Weather Discussion:
         The National Weather Service in Burlington, Vermont has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for 3-6 inches of snow across the entire area by 12AM Tuesday morning. Champlain Valley Weather's Suggested alerts are for a Winter Storm Warning across the Western Slopes of the Northern Green mountains for 5-9 inches of snow with locally 6-12 inches by early Tuesday morning, and A Winter Weather Advisory for the rest of the region for 3-6 inches of snow with some locally higher amounts in areas near the foothills of the green mountains.

         Snow should develop by early Monday morning across much of the area, and become occasionally moderate to heavy in the late afternoon to evening time frame. Some snow squalls could occur in that time frame due to convective snows, caused by an arctic cold front rapidly pushing in, and causing the atmosphere to become marginally unstable.

         Of additional concern is the potential for strong winds as the front moves through, as well as a tightening pressure gradient for strong winds to persist well into Tuesday Night. As the dynamics of the arctic front push through wind gusts up to 45MPH could occur. Then sustained winds should increase into the 15-25MPH range and gusts should slacken slightly into the 30-40MPH range for the remainder of Tuesday. Also with cold temperature in place, and strong winds, wind chill values will fall into the 0 to 10 below range, especially on Tuesday. Winds should gradual diminish by Wednesday morning. These strong winds combined with the light and powdery nature of the snow, could result in significant blowing, and drifting snow, and a significant reduction in visibilities as well. If these winds occur a bit earlier then expected, while the heaviest snow is falling on Monday, then a Winter Storm Warning may have to be issued for the entire area, due to the potential of blowing, and drifting snow, and cold wind chill readings.

         After this storm, all eyes will be set on the potential of a significant winter storm for New Years. More details will become available after we deal with the above mentioned storm.