Wintry Mix & Strong To Damaging Winds Possible

Alerts:
CPV Weather
         -Champlain Valley Weather has issued a High Wind Watch for the Champlain Valley of Vermont, and New York for potential of strong to damaging winds of 25-40MPH with gusts 55-60MPH. The Watch is in effect from 11PM tonight until 6PM Thursday.

         -Champlain Valley Weather has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Northern Adirondack mountains in Northern New York, and much of Vermont, except the Champlain Valley and Western Rutland County for a Wintry mix of precipitation, with up to two tenths of an inch of ice accumulation. The Advisory is in effect from 10PM this evening until 10AM Thursday morning.

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National Weather Service:
         -The National Weather Service in Burlington, VT has not issued any alerts at this time.

         -The National Weather Service in Albany, NY has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Bennington, and Windham Counties in Southern VT for wintry mix, and light glaze of ice. The Advisory is in effect from 10PM tonight until 6AM Thursday.

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Champlain Valley Weather Discussion:
         A significant storm system to impact the region later tonight into tomorrow, as a low pressure system strengthens from the Great Lakes region up into Canada. At this point it appears that the onset of precipitation will occur tonight resulting in cool temperatures to start, and light snow and/ or sleet should start nearly everywhere. The wintry precipitation will rapidly change over to rain though in the Champlain, and St. Lawrence Valleys, but the higher elevations, and especially the sheltered valley's will see the wintry precipitation last the longest, where it will change over to a period of freezing rain. Some of the most sheltered valley's in the Advisory area could see light freezing rain last until around 10AM tomorrow morning. This will result in up to 1 inch of snow, and up to two tenths of an inch of ice by 10AM tomorrow morning.

         As the strengthening storm system moves northeast from the Great Lakes, and into Canada a strong low level jet will develop resulting in strong southerly winds across the area. Nearly everyone will see wind gusts over 30MPH, however strong winds will occur in the St. Lawrence Valley and potentially damaging winds will occur in the Champlain Valley. At this point it appears the St. Lawrence Valley will see winds of 15-25MPH with gusts 45-50MPH. The same winds are likely in the Southern Champlain Valley as well. Across the Central, and especially Northern Champlain Valley though, winds will likely be stronger, and potentially damaging. Winds are expected to be in the 25-40MPH range with gusts 50 to 60MPH. The strongest winds will likely be closest to the lake shore, and over Grand Isle County. Over the open waters of Lake Champlain winds will be even stronger in the 40-50MPH range with gusts up to 65MPH. This will result in large battering waves on the open waters of Lake Champlain. There is still some question as to whether or not any rain will stabilize the surface layer and prevent the winds from mixing down to the surface, so at this point a High Wind Watch is in effect. It does appear likely that High Wind Warnings, and Wind Advisories will likely be issued later tonight, once a little more weather model data becomes available. Stay tuned for updates on this developing weather situation.