Good afternoon, everyone. Here’s hoping this update finds each of you doing well with only a week remaining until Christmas. Where has the time gone? Anyway, we continue to track a massive storm system set to bring wind, rain and bit of snow our way later this week.
Let’s review my thoughts:
- Our timeline continues to be Thursday through Saturday Morning
- Heavy rain moves in Thursday and continues through Friday
- The heaviest rains will be across the eastern half of the state with a general 1″-3″ a good bet. That may be enough to cause flooding issues to develop in some spots
- Rain totals will be much lighter in the west
- Gusty winds are a safe bet during this time and could reach 35mph to 40mph on occasion.
- As the low goes by to our northeast on Friday, we will watch for a quick transition to a mix of rain and snow or just snow. The best chance is across the eastern part of the bluegrass state where some light accumulations can’t be ruled out.
The NAM goes through early evening and shows some wraparound snows developing…
The GFS also shows this…
The Canadian Model has a similar look…
We are one big high pressure short of this being a monster snowstorm. As is, it’s a lot of rain and wind with some wrapround snows possible.
Two lighter systems are coming in behind this for Sunday and Christmas Day. Those could bring some festive flakes into the region on Sunday, with some rain and snow for Christmas. Here’s the Canadian…
The ICON has a similar look…
Once again, there is zero shortage of action!
I will have another update this evening. Enjoy the day and take care.
I just read an article on Fox News that says there is a possibility that we may be dealing with the Polar Vortex in the next couple of weeks…anyone read that also?
yes, lets hope. love snow but would rather have it in December than March
Yes, I follow MIT climatologist Judah Cohen on twitter and read his weekly blog and he has been talking about a polar vortex disruption occurring at the end of December for weeks now. He said on average it takes about 2 weeks to feel the effects so that would be around the end of the second week of January. https://www.aer.com/science-research/climate-weather/arctic-oscillation/
Could affect us or could not..Does it split or gets nudged..Lots of factors..My concern is if it sets up shop over our head then systems will get suppressed..Remember what the high pressure done to our last event.. Went from over 12 inches to around 3 in two days..Gate City got 16-18 inches..That should of been Eastern Ky’s snow.. That one hurt..lol
That’s a lot of reading and studying!
Bring on the rain
Only shortage is there’s no real cold air with these systems to make snow lovers happy.
On positive note, if your a rain lover, then this has been heaven!!
Tis the season for festive flakes.
This lady Dr. Amy butler is good to follow also about the SSW event..
https://twitter.com/DrAHButler
Thanks for the info, I’m going to add her to the list of weather people I follow. You can’t have too many resources.
Climate Prediction Center has most of the East in a likely chance for above normal temperatures and precipitation through the rest of the year.
Do not need nor want “festive flakes” as a consolation prize for enduring more heavy flooding rain (or even showers for that matter). Instead I would love a week long stretch of sunny 55+ degree days.