The North Country is prone to weather extremes. Last week, temperatures were in the 50s. Now we are receiving a significant winter weather advisory from the National Weather Service.
According to Scott Whittier, from the National Weather Sevice office in Burlington, VT, "There are three weather concerns for Vermont and Northern New York during the next 5 days."
These weather concerns include:
1) Strong to Potentially Damaging Winds Saturday Night/Sunday
2) Snow Squalls on Sunday
3) Arctic COLD with a Several Day Stretch of Sub-Zero Temperatures
First, a warm front will be moving across northern NY and northern VT tonight and Saturday morning and likely delivering 2 to 4 inches of snow for northern areas.
1) Strong to Potentially Damaging Winds Saturday Night/Sunday
A strong cold front will cross the area on Sunday. Strong winds are expected ahead of the front, especially in the St. Lawrence River Valley and Northern Adirondacks late Saturday Night and then Sunday...up to 12 hours after the frontal passage.
Southwest winds gusting to 40 mph or higher for exposed higher terrain, especially New York and potential gusts to 50 mph in the St. Lawrence River Valley late Saturday night through Sunday afternoon.
However, these winds will shift to the west/northwest during Sunday as the arctic front moves through Sunday morning.
2) Snow Squalls on Sunday
Snow squalls are likely with the cold front on Sunday morning and afternoon, especially in northern New York. These squalls will likely be brief in Vermont but could last a few hours in northern New York.
Snow squalls will bring heavy snow, strong gusty winds and near zero visibility. This will instantly coat roads with a quick inch or two of snow making driving difficult. Snow amounts may be higher in northern New York with localized 6 inches possible.
In addition, temperatures will be falling rapidly Sunday afternoon and especially Sunday night that could cause a FLASH FREEZE on area roadways.
Please see attached graphic to the multiple threats on Sunday.
3) Arctic COLD with a Several Day Stretch of Sub-Zero Temperatures
Aforementioned arctic cold front moves through Sunday with the coldest air of the 2012-13 Winter Season and the past two years expected to impact the region through mid to late next week.
Any substantial wind (>8 mph)...possibly Tuesday and Wednesday will create Apparent Temperatures (Wind Chill or "Feels like") some 10 to 15 degrees COLDER than the observed.
- Sunday Night Lows: -10 to +10
- Monday Highs: +5 to +15
- Monday Night Lows: -20 to zero
- Tuesday Highs: Zero to +10
- Tuesday Night Lows: -20 to -5
- Wednesday Highs: Zero to +10
- Wednesday Night Lows: -20 to Zero
- Thursday Highs: +10 to +20
Impacts:
- Human and Animal Concerns with Hypothermia and Frost Bite...Rogue Skiers that require Search and Rescue
- Potential Frozen/Burst Water Pipes and Water Mains given lack of snow cover for insulation.
- Disabled Vehicles due to Batteries or Frozen Fuel lines
- Carbon monoxide poisoning due to insufficient ventilation of alternate heat sources
- Potential chimney/house fires for those that use as an extra source and may not have cleaned chimney.
People need to be aware of the this system and take necessary precautions. The Flash Freeze potential as the temperatures plummet causes driving risks with a high probability of black ice on the roadways.
Drive safely, leave early so there will be no reason to rush or drive fast. Also, at home, this is a good reason to double check your storm precautions like gassing up your home generator and generally being prepared for the impacts of severe winter weather.
Comments