40/70 Benchmark Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 JAN 25 https://easternmassweather.blogspot.com/2019/01/arctic-cold-and-snow-to-accompany-polar.html Arctic Cold and Snow to Accompany Polar Vortex Visit Mid Week Significant Winter Storm Possible Tuesday Night into Wednesday In an effort to spare our readers the sensationalism surrounding the media driven hype pertaining to the "polar vortex", we would like to preface this narrative by cautioning that a pool of very low atmospheric heights accompanied by brutal arctic air will be entering the country through the northern plains next week. This is the polar vortex. What the polar vortex is not: The polar vortex is not a major storm in and of itself. It is not some meteorological monster that guarantees impending meteorological doom for the entire country. Our sincerest apologies to CNN, and Fox News.What the polar vortex is: The polar vortex is simply a "vortex" of very low atmospheric heights that has been dislodged from the arctic, as heights began building in in that region. Its presence in the US does increase the likelihood of potentially record breaking cold, and a major winter storm should a piece of it interact with energy from the southern branch of the set stream. At the same time that this polar vortex descends into the mid latitudes of the US, some of this arctic energy will attempt to "phase" into and invigorate a bundle of energy in the southern branch of the jet stream to create a storm on the east coast. Here is the depiction on todays 12z European model: Compared to last nights 00z European run, two trends are apparent: 1: The arctic energy more aggressively phases into the souther stream, resulting in a more proficient coastal cyclogenesis. next week. 2: The ridge on the west coast, referred to as the PNA ridge, is slightly more stout and placed more to the east, closer to the west coast, where as the ridge on the image below is not quite as pronounced and is displaced a bit to the west, off of the coast. The first trend is important because it lends credence to the notion that at least some of the arctic energy associated with the polar vortex will feed into out nascent system along the east coast. Because otherwise, we are left with merely some snow showers in advance of very cold air. The 12z European ensemble suite also bolsters confidence in the more phased scenario. Now that we have gained some clarity with regard to the first notable trend of today, lets revisit the second trend and the implications of more phasing relative to this.2: The ridge on the west coast, referred to as the PNA ridge, is slightly more stout and placed more to the east, closer to the west coast, where as the ridge on the image below is not quite as pronounced and is displaced a bit to the west, off of the coast.Thus far this season, it has been exceedingly difficult to for much of southern New England to experience a significant snowfall in the absence of precipitation type issues. This is because there has been no downstream blocking in the vicinity of Greenland and the Davis straight (-NAO), thus there has been nothing to prevent the storm from tracking close enough to us to advect warmer air in, especially in the mid levels. This is precisely what took place in Sunday's storm, as arctic high pressure prevented much warmer air from moving in at the surface, except for southeastern Mass, however nothing stopped the mid levels from warming and changing snowfall to sleet and some freezing rain. This remains a distinct possibility Tuesday night into Wednesday, as while we do have an arctic high pressure to provide resistance to warm air advection at the surface, a more phased system will tend to track the mid level lows either over our area, or even to the west since there exists no downstream blocking. However there is a slight chance for major snowfall across eastern sections of the area should the PNA ridge out west continue to trend more to the west and more amplified, while we also see just the right degree of phasing as not to pull the mid level lows further to the west, closer to the parent polar vortex. Regardless, since the system will likely be intensifying explosively as it traverses the area, there is at least a short term blizzard risk at play. This latter scenario, while unlikely, remains a distinct possibility. Currently, the 12z GEM and GFS models act as voices of descent, since they reflect both a less pronounced southern stream system and degree of acrostic phasing, thus they produce more meager and seaward east coast cyclogenesis. GFS: GEM: Quite frankly, since we are now only about 120 hours out from modeled phasing, it is exceedingly unlikely that the operational ECMWF has been incorrectly trending towards the more phased solution that has been supported by its ensemble suite for days. Thus the notion of minimal phasing modeled by the GFS and GEM are bing dismissed. In fact, it is probably more likely the eastern New England "threads the needle and receives in outright blizzard. But neither scenario is supported at at this juncture. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastalWx Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damage In Tolland Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 We snow 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Connecticut Appleman Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 26 minutes ago, 40/70 Benchmark said: JAN 25 https://easternmassweather.blogspot.com/2019/01/arctic-cold-and-snow-to-accompany-polar.html Arctic Cold and Snow to Accompany Polar Vortex Visit Mid Week Great explanation and the graphics with annotations are very much appreciated. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Reasonable chance of this happening this far out. Bears watching but I would def not get to excited about it for a few more days. Thank you, Ray, for laying out your thoughts so well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastalWx Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 In all honesty, it could be interesting. Weird to need it to track close, but a little March 2005 maybe? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUNNAWAYICEBERG Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Big writeup for 3 inches. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#NoPoles Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Im getting rain. This is my chance to hit 8inches of rain for the month of January! 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40/70 Benchmark Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 55 minutes ago, CoastalWx said: In all honesty, it could be interesting. Weird to need it to track close, but a little March 2005 maybe? Agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40/70 Benchmark Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 40 minutes ago, RUNNAWAYICEBERG said: Big writeup for 3 inches. That just a preliminary point of reference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dendrite Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Honestly, before I read the author I thought this was a James thread. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40/70 Benchmark Posted January 25, 2019 Author Share Posted January 25, 2019 4 minutes ago, dendrite said: Honestly, before I read the author I thought this was a James thread. Why? I don't think its that early...inside of 5 days. Nothing outlandish... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powderfreak Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Just now, 40/70 Benchmark said: Why? I don't think its that early...inside of 5 days. Nothing outlandish... Yeah seems like a prudent time to put this discussion separate from the main thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 11 minutes ago, dendrite said: Honestly, before I read the author I thought this was a James thread. Can’t do worse than my 2 threads...unless you can have negative snowfall 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dendrite Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Not hating. Polar vortex joins the fun just seemed like it came out of a Harwich basement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dendrite Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 I’ll admit that my first instinct when seeing the progs was Mar 05...that’s if something good was to come out of it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dryslot Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Kind of happy Hunchie or James didn't start it, Don't need them spreading their rain on my parade up here...............lol 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 2 minutes ago, dryslot said: Kind of happy Hunchie or James didn't start it, Don't need them spreading their rain on my parade up here...............lol Didn’t you score a couple of inches from my last thread? Lol...I saw a flake or two 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dryslot Posted January 25, 2019 Share Posted January 25, 2019 Just now, HoarfrostHubb said: Didn’t you score a couple of inches from my last thread? Lol...I saw a flake or two , I did, I want someone who brings a foot though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastalWx Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 Euro trying to tick closer with srn system. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dryslot Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 May have to watch that going forward to see if that continues ticking West, Would thing we would need some interaction with the Northern stream to tug it far enough west but eastern areas could see something out of that, Not that far from affecting them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORH_wxman Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 5 minutes ago, CoastalWx said: Euro trying to tick closer with srn system. It's also east with the main frontal system at 90 hours. That is good for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoastalWx Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 Just now, ORH_wxman said: It's also east with the main frontal system at 90 hours. That is good for us. I was sitting here waiting for hr 96 and just remembered it only goes to hr 90..lol. We EPS in an hour. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahk_webstah Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 25 minutes ago, dendrite said: I’ll admit that my first instinct when seeing the progs was Mar 05...that’s if something good was to come out of it. Describe mar 05 please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorEastermass128 Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 2 minutes ago, mahk_webstah said: Describe mar 05 please Hvy wet snow to flash freeze mini blizzard. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dendrite Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 1 minute ago, mahk_webstah said: Describe mar 05 please Closest thing we’ve come to verifying blizzard criteria inland up here in my memory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40/70 Benchmark Posted January 26, 2019 Author Share Posted January 26, 2019 36 minutes ago, dendrite said: Not hating. Polar vortex joins the fun just seemed like it came out of a Harwich basement. I like to grab attention with headlines...but its true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baroclinic Zone Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 I’m with @#NoPoles. I’m likely looking at more rain then snow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahk_webstah Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 4 minutes ago, dendrite said: Closest thing we’ve come to verifying blizzard criteria inland up here in my memory. Ok now we’re talkin. After this winter we deserve that. The whole anomalous PV thing makes this an interesting period. I am home for 9 days all by myself starting feb 2 and I hope I can weenie out the whole time. Mason will be in Savannah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ORH_wxman Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 6 minutes ago, NorEastermass128 said: Hvy wet snow to flash freeze mini blizzard. More than just that...heavy rain and temps in the 50s before it flashed over. I think I went from like 50 to 27 in less than 2 hours. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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