Good morning Weather folks! As a result of a potent cold front moving towards the Northeast this afternoon, I just wanted to jump on for a very important weather alert. From my previous note on Thursday about the chance of accumulating snow squalls in the ski country, and festive flakes in southern New England, both conditions are now impacting the entire Northeast today. For those that are driving this afternoon, one of the more dangerous weather events during the winter are actually snow squalls where most accidents occur versus just regular snowfall. Snow squalls are typically short-lived but create moderate to intense bursts of snow and wind. This leads to white out conditions with little to any visibility, resulting in deteriorating road conditions causing accidents and pile ups. This one means serious business and should not be taken lightly!
Don’t be surprised to see pop up on your phone, a Snow Squall Warning describing this event in your area. A warning means a particular weather event is imminent. If caught in one, clearly reduce speed, put on your hazards and low beams, and watch for brake lights. Let’s talk timing. First, not to be confused with the squall line, we actually have front running snow showers ahead of the line between 12pm and 2pm moving east across the tri-state area on north to southern New England up to NH and ME (SE MA 2-4pm). Again, I repeat these showers are not the snow squall line. Some areas, however, could see light accumulations from these.
Ok, most important, let’s talk timing. This line leaning from the lower left (SW) to upper right (NE) will be moving east across the region from Berlin, NJ to Berlin NH, Rumson to Rangeley, Southampton to Saco, on east. The initial line moves into NW NJ at approximately 2pm, L Hudson Valley 2:30pm, NYC 3pm, Hartford up to Nashua 4pm, E LI to Worcester to Durham 4:30pm, Providence to Boston to Bowdoin 5pm, and the Cape to Acadia 6pm. Here are maps (initial above and rest below) for a more visual depiction on timing. Be safe folks. I’ll be back shortly with updates to my in “like a lion” to my March Madness meteorological missives! And remember, weather never sleeps!
