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January 20-21 2012 Snowstorm OBS & Disco


earthlight

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Also, please keep this about maps, models, analysis, etc. I just created a separate thread if you wanna argue about what your favorite met says.

Love the reports coming out of the midwest and the SPC WRF looked gorgeous at 12z, looking forward to the 00Z run.

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The 12z NCEP models being a tick warmer was not all that much of a surprise. They like to do this prior to SWFE's with mid level warm punches. But seeing the high resolution RGEM and Euro stay relatively cool is a great sign. 10-11mm on the RGEM (I believe that was the rough estimate) is good for a 3-5" snowfall for most of us. I think we could still see a jackpot of near 6" in the elevated areas of NE NJ, SE NY, or interior CT.

There is a pretty good signal for a burst of +SN throughout the entire area when the WAA strengthens in the early AM hours on Saturday. The higher resolution models are showing this nicely. The SPC WRF has it as well. Something to watch for -- the gradient really tightens here and thats when you can get heavier precipitation even in a non-dynamic H5 setup.

http://www.emc.ncep.noaa.gov/mmb/mpyle/spcprod/12/refd_1000m_f27.gif

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Midnight may be too early for a start time despite the fact that these events like to move in earlier than forecast. Most of the models have an area of very light precipitation over the area at 06z which could very well be virga given the forecast soundings.

http://www.emc.ncep.noaa.gov/mmb/mpyle/spcprod/12/refd_1000m_f18.gif

The heavier precipitation doesn't move into the area until around 10z.

http://www.emc.ncep.noaa.gov/mmb/mpyle/spcprod/12/refd_1000m_f22.gif

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Midnight may be too early for a start time despite the fact that these events like to move in earlier than forecast. Most of the models have an area of very light precipitation over the area at 06z which could very well be virga given the forecast soundings.

http://www.emc.ncep....d_1000m_f18.gif

The heavier precipitation doesn't move into the area until around 10z.

http://www.emc.ncep....d_1000m_f22.gif

yeah, no way for midnight. I don't think we will have much virga, i really don't.

I think we could see some CSI tomorrow with that big push the hi res models are showing. Don't have bufkit, but I wonder if there is anything showing up on the skew-t's.

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I'm the last guy to criticize the NWS, but I have to wonder why OKX still has a winter storm watch up for many counties. It is terrible looking at the current WWA map and seeing advisories and watches on bordering counties in the same zone. Extremely confusing for the public, especially.

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15z srefs look good.

.50" line is into NYC again.

Surface 32 degree line never makes it to NYC.

850's go just north of NYC at hour 27 but there is no precip left at that point. Just .01" falls after.

The bulk of the precip falls from hour 18 to 24 and during this time, the temps in all levels are very cold.

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I'm the last guy to criticize the NWS, but I have to wonder why OKX still has a winter storm watch up for many counties. It is terrible looking at the current WWA map and seeing advisories and watches on bordering counties in the same zone. Extremely confusing for the public, especially.

well, they are putting out their afternoon disco now, its not really going to mess much up, its a non work day and well before the 5 and 6pm news.

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I'm the last guy to criticize the NWS, but I have to wonder why OKX still has a winter storm watch up for many counties. It is terrible looking at the current WWA map and seeing advisories and watches on bordering counties in the same zone. Extremely confusing for the public, especially.

You're assuming the average public knows the difference. In a poll that I conducted in my office last year, nobody could tell me the difference between an advisory, watch or a warning. To them it all means the same, snow is on the way.

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You're assuming the average public knows the difference. In a poll that I conducted in my office last year, nobody could tell me the difference between an advisory, watch or a warning. To them it all means the same, snow is on the way.

Here's a good read from our friend Ryan from SNE...seems to have the same concerns. Just a passing though, not really that big of a deal.

http://ryanhanrahan.wordpress.com/2012/01/20/saturday-snowstorm/

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Here's a good read from our friend Ryan from SNE...seems to have the same concerns. Just a passing though, not really that big of a deal.

http://ryanhanrahan....rday-snowstorm/

The general public really only concerns themselves with forecasted snow totals. Watches/Warnings and Advisories are really only for local municipalities and state goverment offices. For example, a school district is more likely to cancel school if a warning is issued as opposed to an advisory.

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The general public really only concerns themselves with forecasted snow totals. Watches/Warnings and Advisories are really only for local municipalities and state goverment offices. For example, a school district is more likely to cancel school if a warning is issued as opposed to an advisory.

The same situation occurs in the summer with Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado warnings. Some on here would be suprised by the general public's definition of a tornado. They think every time there is a strong wind gust associated with a thunderstorm there could be a tornado. Had a fight with my then Father in law last year about a microburst in West Milford. Luckily the Tornado that struck parts of the city the year before last along with what happened in the deep south last year has raised awarness a tad.

Bill Korbel from News 12 LI summed it up well once when he said the public will never notice when you forecast 2 inches of rain and you get a half inch, they'll always however notice when you forecast 2-4 inches of snow and get 7 or 8 or 10, thats where the public's skepticism on snow forecasts comes from is that a small margin for error and it becomes noticeable to them way easier.

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