Tulip Trouncer Threat II - End of March/ Early April

[Ginx snewx]

These days are worse than winter days. Mixing heights can be through the roof during this time of year. That means adiabatic death to skin moisture.

Hence firefighters worst season. I remember one Spring having to go out 28 times in one weekend for brush fires, most arson but some started by shards of glass. Think it was 85/86

[HoarfrostHubb]

Most storms were suppressed by the cold air. Coldest winter so far IMBY, but mediocre for snow, 67.8" (20" below my avg) and 10th of 13 winters despite a nice 14" dump in the early January storm. Snowcover lasted a long time, though, due to the cold. Had 12 mornings at 20 below or colder mid-Jan thru early March - bottom was minus 29. Killed my peach tree (Reliance is good to Zone 5, I'm decidedly Zone 4), planted shortly after we moved here in May 1998, which had blossomed and fruited for its one and only time in 2002.

That sux about the tree

That cold snap was impressive

[Ginx snewx]

How much did you get in this one?

http://www.meteo.psu.edu/~gadomski/NARR/1996/us0410.php

14 I think, broke my 100 cherry.

[CoastalWx]

Hunchback, yea I discounted that because the third week in March is early. I am thinking 97 right now for the last on the CP besides Scooters 2-4 event. So rare that even to have a chance is really notable.

That was a protracted event that didn't amount to a whole lot, but I had a decent band that dumped 2-3" that evening. Other than that, it's been a long time since we had a good widespread late season event.

[Ginx snewx]

14 I think, broke my 100 cherry.

Description:

A low pressure system developed along the mid-Atlantic coast and intensified to 984 mb (29.06 in.) as its center passed right over Nantucket Island, MA at 10 AM on April 10th. The storm brought a record late-season snowfall to much of the state and especially to the higher elevations of northern Rhode Island. North Foster had the maximum total of 21.5 inches, followed by North Smithfield with 16.9 inches and Clayville with 16.0 inches and a water equivalent of 2.05 inches. Providence had 7 inches, Block Island had 7 inches, yet less than 6 inches of snow fell in Newport County. New snowfall records were established for a single April storm and for a 24-hour period during the month of April. At Providence, a new record monthly total for April was established at 12.9 inches. Snow depths on the ground reached new record maxima for April and for so late in the season. Seasonal snowfall totals hit all-time new record highs of well over 100 inches in many locations, especially in northern Rhode Island. Since this was a late-season event, considerably less snow accumulated on pavements, but the heavy, wet snow stuck to trees and power lines, which resulted in scattered power outages. There were numerous reports of lightning accompanying the snow between 8 PM on the 9th and 5 AM on the 10th. Some final seasonal totals included: North Foster, 129.1 inches; Warwick (T.F. Green Airport), 106.1 inches (old record 75.6 inches in 1947-1948); and Woonsocket, 93.7 inches.

[Ginx snewx]

By the way that storm popped out of no where, pretty similar look eh? Geez that would be sweet. That storm featured snow on just the sides of the roads but complete whiteness. I was trout fishing when it started.

[Arnold214]

By the way that storm popped out of no where, pretty similar look eh? Geez that would be sweet. That storm featured snow on just the sides of the roads but complete whiteness. I was trout fishing when it started.

9" on eastern long island...and I'm pretty sure the temp never went below freezing. have to check some obs.

[ORH_wxman]

Its probably not worth all that much, but SREF mean at 87h is a bit S of the BM...lot of spread to the north though. Some good spread NE too. There's a secondayr spread jackpot near Cape Hatteras which suggests that the members are keying on different piece of energy.

[CoastalWx]

By the way that storm popped out of no where, pretty similar look eh? Geez that would be sweet. That storm featured snow on just the sides of the roads but complete whiteness. I was trout fishing when it started.

Tracked over ACK too.

[weathafella]

The 96 storm was interesting. My wife and I flew back from ORD that Sunday night. Up until that day, no interest. We arrived in mdt snow and the rest is history. I recall walking right after the 6-9 inches started to settle with a few tulips starting to pop back up.

[OKpowdah]

Its probably not worth all that much, but SREF mean at 87h is a bit S of the BM...lot of spread to the north though. Some good spread NE too. There's a secondayr spread jackpot near Cape Hatteras which suggests that the members are keying on different piece of energy.

[ORH_wxman]

The 96 storm was interesting. My wife and I flew back from ORD that Sunday night. Up until that day, no interest. We arrived in mdt snow and the rest is history. I recall walking right after the 6-9 inches started to settle with a few tulips starting to pop back up.

There were two storms...one on Easter Sunday evening into Mon morning and then the storm Tues night into Wed. The bigger of the two was the 2nd one.

[HoarfrostHubb]

Half dollar parachutes falling from the sky...

That's what I will dream of tonight...

[HoarfrostHubb]

There were two storms...one on Easter Sunday evening into Mon morning and then the storm Tues night into Wed. The bigger of the two was the 2nd one.

Those were great... I def. remember the Easter one better since it caught us by surprise. Came out of an Easter lunch/dinner out in Orange to heavy heavy

[weathafella]

There were two storms...one on Easter Sunday evening into Mon morning and then the storm Tues night into Wed. The bigger of the two was the 2nd one.

Yes that Sunday evening storm ended Monday and then out of nowhere we awoke WEd to heavy snow. What a winter that was! And without the long break. This winter is most like 1960-61. Absolutely epic until it broke around 2/5.

[CoastalWx]

Yes that Sunday evening storm ended Monday and then out of nowhere we awoke WEd to heavy snow. What a winter that was! And without the long break. This winter is most like 1960-61. Absolutely epic until it broke around 2/5.

That's why '95-'96 is special to me imo. Yes we had a horrible torch in late January that destroyed the snowpack, but man we had winter from late November through April. Can't beat that.

[ORH_wxman]

That's why '95-'96 is special to me imo. Yes we had a horrible torch in late January that destroyed the snowpack, but man we had winter from late November through April. Can't beat that.

This storm can make up for a lot of March sins this year if it produces big. 1997 made up for an entire winter's worth of sins in Boston. (we already had the 26" out here from the December Cantore storm)

[CoastalWx]

This storm can make up for a lot of March sins this year if it produces big. 1997 made up for an entire winter's worth of sins in Boston. (we already had the 26" out here from the December Cantore storm)

It will go a long way in sweetening up the bitter taste that March has left so far.

[Ginx snewx]

1996 opening day at Yankee Stadium

[Ginx snewx]

It will go a long way in sweetening up the bitter taste that March has left so far.

In 96 we had a storm on March 7th then nothing until the two April snows.

[ORH_wxman]

In 96 we had a storm on March 7th then nothing until the two April snows.

That first week of March though was pretty sweet. We had two sizable events...the other was on 3/2/96. Then there was a prolonged overrunning event in between that got ice contaminated but still added even more snow. Nothing like this disaster of a March.

Here's the first 10 days of that month here...

MAR-96 FOR WORCESTER, MA (1011')                	LAT=42.3N LON= 71.9W 
        		TEMPERATURE               		PRECIPITATION
     	ACTUAL   		NORMAL
   	HI   LO  AVG 	HI   LO  AVG   DEPT 	AMNT   SNOW SNCVR   HDD
1  	30   12   21 	38   21   29 	-8 	0.00	0.0	0 	44
2  	27   19   23 	38   21   30 	-7 	0.24	7.0	0 	42
3  	31   16   24 	38   22   30 	-6 	0.06	0.5	0 	41
4  	24   10   17 	39   22   30	-13    	T  	T	0 	48
5  	38   14   26 	39   22   31 	-5 	0.43	1.5	0 	39
6  	31   25   28 	39   23   31 	-3 	0.15	1.5	0 	37
7  	26   20   23 	40   23   31 	-8 	0.42	7.5	0 	42
8  	23	8   16 	40   23   32	-16 	0.14	2.8	0 	49
9  	17	3   10 	41   23   32	-22    	T  	T	0 	55
10  	28	6   17 	41   24   32	-15    	T  	T	0 	48

[CoastalWx]

In 96 we had a storm on March 7th then nothing until the two April snows.

I have two coatings for March. I suppose you could argue I had a few tenths before the snow melted, but this is pathetic.

[Ginx snewx]

I have two coatings for March. I suppose you could argue I had a few tenths before the snow melted, but this is pathetic.

96 rocked

Description:

A low pressure system developed along the middle Atlantic coast and intensified to 984 mb (29.06 in.) as its center passed right over Nantucket Island at 10 AM on April 10. This storm brought a record late-season snowfall to most of the state, except right along the immediate coast. New snowfall records were established, especially at inland locations and even at those locations along the coast which had some elevation. Some of the records set included the greatest April snowfall in a single storm, for a 24-hour period in April, and for a late-season storm. Seasonal snowfall totals reached all-time new record maxima of well over 100 inches. The greatest totals for this storm of 15 to 21 inches occurred across central Massachusetts from the Rhode Island/Connecticut border to the New Hampshire border. Some totals included: West Townsend, 21.0 inches; West Boylston and Shrewsbury, 17.4 inches; Grafton and Worcester, 16.0 inches. Blue Hill Observatory-Milton, elevation 635 feet, received 15.0 inches. Also, at Blue Hill, the maximum snow depth on the ground reached 18 inches, setting a record for April and for so late in the season. A general snowfall of 4 to 8 inches was observed near sea level, except within several miles of the coast, where less than 4 inches fell. However, Boston's Logan International Airport had 6 inches, pushing the seasonal total to 107.6 inches, beating the old record of 101.6 inches set just a few days earlier. There was little accumulation on Nantucket Island or outer Cape Cod, however Martha's Vineyard received 3 to 5 inches. All slightly higher terrain locations, especially above 500 feet had totals of 12 to 20 inches. Since this was a late-season event, snowfall on pavements was much less. Accumulation of heavy, wet snow on trees and power lines and gusty winds up to 30 to 40 mph resulted in many power outages. There were numerous reports of lightning in the eastern part of the state between 8 PM on the 9th and 5 AM on the 10th. A peak wind gust of 50 mph was recorded at Gloucester at 955 AM on the 10th. The Blue Hill Observatory in Milton reported a peak gust to 53 mph. A 129-year-old elm tree crashed down on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston, crushing one car and severely damaging another. Up to 10,000 electric customers lost power inside Route 128 in the immediate Greater Boston area and up to 40,000 customers lost power in towns south of Boston. An arcing fallen power line in Waltham set a house on fire and prevented firefighters from putting out the flames...the family was left homeless. Some final seasonal snowfall totals after this storm included: Worthington, 152.5 inches; West Granville, 146.4 inches; West Townsend, 146.0 inches; Blue Hill Observatory-Milton, 144.4 inches (old record 136.0 inches in 1947-1948); Shrewbury, 141.3 inches; Randolph, 136.7 inches; Methuen, 135.6 inches; Worcester, 132.9 inches (old record 120.1 inches in 1992-1993); Reading, 125.5 inches; Easton, 124.0 inches; Taunton, 112.3 inches; Hingham, 112.3 inches (old record 95.1 inches in 1993-1994); Acushnet, 112.2 inches; and Boston 107.6 inches (old record 96.3 inches in 1993-1994).

[wxsniss]

These days are worse than winter days. Mixing heights can be through the roof during this time of year. That means adiabatic death to skin moisture.

Interesting. Same principle behind the recent fire warning?

We've certainly had stretches of prolonged NW winds and low dewpoints throughout the winter, but the warmers temps / higher sun angle contributed to the fire warning this past weekend...?

[Ginx snewx]

That first week of March though was pretty sweet. We had two sizable events...the other was on 3/2/96. Then there was a prolonged overrunning event in between that got ice contaminated but still added even more snow. Nothing like this disaster of a March.

Here's the first 10 days of that month here...

MAR-96 FOR WORCESTER, MA (1011')                	LAT=42.3N LON= 71.9W 
        		TEMPERATURE               		PRECIPITATION
     	ACTUAL   		NORMAL
   	HI   LO  AVG 	HI   LO  AVG   DEPT 	AMNT   SNOW SNCVR   HDD
1  	30   12   21 	38   21   29 	-8 	0.00	0.0	0 	44
2  	27   19   23 	38   21   30 	-7 	0.24	7.0	0 	42
3  	31   16   24 	38   22   30 	-6 	0.06	0.5	0 	41
4  	24   10   17 	39   22   30	-13    	T  	T	0 	48
5  	38   14   26 	39   22   31 	-5 	0.43	1.5	0 	39
6  	31   25   28 	39   23   31 	-3 	0.15	1.5	0 	37
7  	26   20   23 	40   23   31 	-8 	0.42	7.5	0 	42
8  	23	8   16 	40   23   32	-16 	0.14	2.8	0 	49
9  	17	3   10 	41   23   32	-22    	T  	T	0 	55
10  	28	6   17 	41   24   32	-15    	T  	T	0 	48

I have two coatings for March. I suppose you could argue I had a few tenths before the snow melted, but this is pathetic.

Yea was just showing how April really iced the cake in 96 , after the March storm, frisbee players with long hair, short shorts and tube socks were in full glory. I really was pissed as I wanted the 100 mark so bad, then.......

[CoastalWx]

Interesting. Same principle behind the recent fire warning?

We've certainly had stretches of prolonged NW winds and low dewpoints throughout the winter, but the warmers temps / higher sun angle contributed to the fire warning this past weekend...?

Well higher sun angle dries out the fuel, but higher sun angle also allows the atmosphere..especially lower levels to mix down the air from higher levels...sometimes up beyond 800mb. This air can be very dry, so when you combine temps that are in the mid 40s with dewpoints near 0F..you have a very low relative humidity.

[Ginx snewx]

Interesting. Same principle behind the recent fire warning?

We've certainly had stretches of prolonged NW winds and low dewpoints throughout the winter, but the warmers temps / higher sun angle contributed to the fire warning this past weekend...?

Yes, we actually had red flag warnings in Dec before the snow cover. When rapid drying and low dews hit before green up, with all the winter debris, firefighters cringe.

[CoastalWx]

Yea was just showing how April really iced the cake in 96 , after the March storm, frisbee players with long hair, short shorts and tube socks were in full glory. I really was pissed as I wanted the 100 mark so bad, then.......

I think I only had about 6-7" during the 4/10 storm. The best banding was to my west and I was only about 80' ASL. It still was probably the wettest snow imaginable. The sound of transformers blowing and failing was pretty intense.

[CoastalWx]

The NAM is a shortwave disaster.

[wxsniss]

Since we're reminiscing in anticipation of this weekend...

Anyone remember how well April 97 was forecast... how far in advance? Which were the earliest models to depict the scale of the blizzard? Any models show a miss?

I don't have the NCEP suites archived, but I vaguely remember the forecast for Boston metro not being epic until March 31 (I saw the tv forecast clips on the other threads), and even then it was under-forecast.