Steady Snow Falling

Snow update: I have a fever, and haven't paid close attention to this storm. Radar suggests steady snow, and looking out the window confirms this. Temperatures were originally above 32, but have dropped due to evaporational cooling, so its now 32 in Hanover and Lebanon. There is a heavy coating on the sidewalks and on the existing snowcover, so as long as the snow keeps falling at this intensity, we could pick up a couple inches tonight.

Its tough to predict what is going to happen later, but it looks like the snow might let up for a short time, or become intermittent. There is a break in the precipitation that goes from the VT NY border to about Binghamton and Elmira NY, but that precipitation shows signs of filling in. So the snow might let up for an hour or two, and then should pick up again towards dawn.

Lebanon has a southerly wind, and that should play a part in changing this wet snow over to rain fairly quickly tomorrow morning. There might be a period of sleet but I don't expect freezing rain since ground temperatures have warmed drastically in the past couple weeks.

A big wildcard is the elevated regions, above 1000 feet. Since its snowing steadily and accumulating here at the CT river, it will be worse in higher elevations. Also, sleet and freezing rain might be an issue up there tomorrow, but I don't expect a nasty ice accumulation since its very ;ate in the year for ice. Even above 1000 feet, I expect temperatures to get above freezing so any frozen precip will go over to rain.

In the mountains, expect a net gain of snow with several inches on the front end, then a potential ice storm, and then lots of upslope snow showers at the end. The potential exists for 6-12 inches when all is said and done up there. I'm going to do my best to spit out a forecast.

For the Upper Valley
Tonight: Snow of varying intensities, possibly mixing with sleet towards dawn. Lows near 29, rising towards 32 by dawn. Light wind mainly out of the south, 5-10 mph. Accumulations 1-3 inches, with up to 4 in the upper elevations.

Wednesday: Snow changing to sleet and possibly freezing rain, (esp in sheltered valleys) then rain from the CT valley floor to hilltops. Highs 34-40, warmest in the valley. South to southeast wind 10-15 mph.

Wednesday night: Rain or mixed precipitation ending as snow showers. Lows dropping into the 20s. Flash freeze possible after midnight. Winds switch to the northeast, then west by dawn, 10-20 mph with higher gusts, esp in the hills.

Thursday: Maybe an early morning snow shower, then partly to mostly cloudy, breezy and chilly. Highs near 40. West winds in the 20-30 mph range.

The outlook for Friday and beyond is colder than normal (happy spring!)with temps in the mid 30s and lows in the teens. Big storms appear to be suppressed through at least Sunday or Monday. We need to watch the next couple weeks, because, we're in a winter pattern for the first time all year. (Believe it or not!

Ok, time to pass out. If I'm feeling good tomorrow, I'll try to have an in depth update.

Looking out the window, the snow has let up right now... its 1:23am...bedtime.