Prolonged Snow Event Tuesday To Friday

Champlain Valley Weather Discussion:
         After a long streak of fairly quiet weather, things will start to change as early as Tuesday. Although there is a chance for snow Monday, the significant changes should take place starting Tuesday.

         A complex storm system starting with a low currently heading for the upper Ohio valley/ great lakes region, will weaken and move into eastern Ontario, while an upper level low will move and stall over or southeast of new England, a new low system will form somewhere off the North or South Carolina coasts. This new low pressure system will then move northeast and slow down significantly, moisture from the ocean system, will be transported along an inverted trough from the ocean low to the decaying primary low over Ontario, while this system weakens, the upper level low will hold strong and should continue to hold moisture into the region.

         Things continue to get interesting as new low pressure across the Florida panhandle moves to the east of Florida and then north-northeast to north and parallel to the coast. This low pressure system will then begin to back towards new England, and likely end up over eastern or central new England. This part of the storm will be the most significant and will bring the greatest possibility of heavy snow and strong winds. At this time its hard to forecast storm totals for this very long duration event. Do plan on light to moderate snow for Tuesday night through Friday night, occasionally heavy snow may occur, in that time period. The most likely period of heavy snow will occur Thursday to Friday. Once again at this point its hard to forecast snow totals for this extremely complex and long duration event however, early indications would point to 12-24 inches for the valley locations with 24-36 inches for the higher elevations. The only thing though that may cause this from being an extremely high impact event is the fact the snow totals are over the course of several days, there is also the chance that some rain or sleet could mix in at lower elevtions. Stay tuned for further updates and the possibility of Winter Storm Watches.