DAYS 1-5 (JANUARY 21-25)
After a very cold start to the day today, a temperature moderation will take place, which lasts into tonight and part of Thursday. This happens as low pressure tracks eastward out of the Great Lakes region, passing to our north. Its warm front may produce a bit of light snow mainly to our north this evening, with an extension of moisture to the south producing a few rain and snow showers in our region, with snow most likely west of I-95 while rain and/or snow can occur from the I-95 belt eastward. This is a minor event. The system’s cold front will swing through on Thursday and can deliver a rain shower as the southwesterly wind flow strengthens. Colder air moves in behind that front by Thursday night into Friday on a gusty westerly wind. Later Friday, another disturbance passing by to our north will drag an arctic cold front through the region, perhaps with a snow shower or snow squall, and deliver the coldest air of the winter so far for Friday night into the weekend. This will be accompanied by dry weather and a gusty wind Saturday but a sky that features sunshine and high clouds, the latter being the northern edge of a sprawled out, organizing winter storm across much of the south central and southeastern US, moving east. Media’s been in a frenzy about the potential impact (or lack of impact) from this system up here starting later this weekend. Current indications are that the system will track far enough north for snow to move into our region on Sunday. What we do not know yet is the exact configuration and track of low pressure, whether or not a secondary low forms, which even if the system stays far enough south, has implications on arrival and intensity of snow, and ultimately duration and other finer storm impacts. However, sticking with what is more known, this forecast will just reflect an increasing snow threat for Sunday and more fine-tuning will be upcoming. Can’t give all the details until we know all the details, and we don’t know all the details yet. 🙂
TODAY: Sun followed by increasing clouds. Highs 25-32. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.
TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. A period or two of light snow west of I-95 evening, rain/mix/snow I-95 belt eastward. Temperatures rising to 33-40. Wind S up to 10 MPH.
THURSDAY: Partly sunny. A rain shower possible. Highs 40-47. Wind SW 10-20 MPH, gusts 25-35 MPH.
THURSDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Lows 20-27. Wind W 10-20 MPH, higher gusts.
FRIDAY: Partly cloudy. A late-day snow shower or snow squall possible. Highs 30-37. Wind W 10-20 MPH, gusts 25-35 MPH.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy with a potential snow shower or snow squall early, then clear. Lows 2-9. Wind WNW 15-25 MPH, higher gusts. Wind chills below zero.
SATURDAY: Sun and high clouds. Highs 13-20. Wind WNW 10-20 MPH, higher gusts. Wind chills below 10.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Increasing clouds. Lows 3-10. Wind N 5-15 MPH, diminishing.
SUNDAY: Cloudy. Chance of snow. Highs 13-20. Wind N to NE 5-15 MPH.
DAYS 6-10 (JANUARY 26-30)
Snow chance and outside chance of South Coast mix January 26 as what remains of elongated low pressure passes by to the south. Generally dry and cold weather follows this, but watching a disturbance with potential snow or snow showers around January 28.
DAYS 11-15 (JANUARY 31 – FEBRUARY 4)
Pattern supports colder than normal temps with an additional opportunity for a winter weather event – target dates February 1-2.
Thanks TK. An interesting week of tracking with lots of tools out there.
Thanks TK !
Looking forward to tomorrow’s 40-47F !!
Wordle: 6, I’ll take it.
Snow day next Monday? Noooooooooo !! June’s too nice to be inside a school any longer than we need to be.
Tough word. I was lost!!!
At the 6th guess, my curriculum saved me.
As a kid i liked snow days on Monday. It was a real day off
Thanks TK.
6z GFS Kuchera Snow with 8-10” for most
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?rh=2026012106&fh=129&dpdt=&mc=&r=us_ne&p=snku_acc-imp&m=gfs
4th run in a row this model has come further north. Yesterdays 12z was a complete miss.
Good morning and thank you TK
11 here
Ocean: 41
Wordle; 6
Storm threat. Wish we knew more. All models on board for something. Some more than others. So far I don’t see this as a block buster event, but there is plenty of time for that to change.
If I had to make a guess at this time, I would throw out 8-12 inches. Too early for numbers but that is my early guess just the same.
So old salty say it was 8-12 man you would be dancing with that amount with how things have been
0z Euro was a big hit to the point than it got snow into NNE and even brought a bit of mixing into coastal CT and the MA south coast at the end
These are 10:1 snow totals. With ratios this would likely deliver 15-20”:
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=ecmwf_full&p=sn10_acc-imp&rh=2026012100&fh=150&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
I guess the 00z Euro run caught my eye the most.
Really tugs things north, so much so, that towards the end of the event, at 925mb, there’s actually a circulation over western New York, we’ve kind of dry slotted and there’s a major coastal boundary in eastern Mass before it collapses with a quick 20F temp drop SE of Boston.
Prior to that, there’s nice easterly inflow off the ocean at 925 mb up and over the antecedent very cold airmass.
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=ecmwf_full&p=925wh&rh=2026012100&fh=132&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=ecmwf_full&p=sfct-imp&rh=2026012100&fh=132&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=ecmwf_full&p=sfct-imp&rh=2026012100&fh=138&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
Pretty neat.
I’ve seen this a few times in marshfield over the years. Several inch snow initial thump, then we climb to near 32F on the east side of the coastal front for a bit, then the coastal front crashes and so does our temp and that gets topped with 1-3 inches of powder on the back end. So you shovel a cube of lower powder with a middle cement and a top layer of powder and the roads are all ice from the few hrs it was near 32F in the middle of the event.
Ice cream sandwich.
Yes, that’s awesome Longshot !
Yuck! Keep those coastal fronts away please. Messes up a perfectly good snowstorm Boston south!
Shiri Spear on twitter said she was thinking 8-12 but hasn’t committed to making maps this early.
Thanks TK.
1,426 ❄️
Probably not much longer.
The challenge is which day “should” be the last count. Sunday…or Monday?? TBD
8-12” would certainly do it.
I feel good about my prediction it would end at 1,430.
I predicted 1,450.
Haven’t seen a TV met snow map yet. Wondering if we will see one by tomorrow night. I am betting yes.
6Z Euro
https://ibb.co/9mgrjfVY
https://ibb.co/xtTHNCNt
https://ibb.co/B2tmcx6B
This thing gets rain to Boston or “Just” SE of Boston!!!!
What does that do to the ratios?????
qpf “about” 1.25 inches, but where the coastal front sets up ratios are going to be lower for a time or even straight rain before flipping back to snow. This presents a problem for
setting up snowfall. This could end up 6-8 coast, 8-12 just back from the coast and 12-18 inland or something like that.
We’ll end up doing this about 20 times before the event.
Fun just the same.
I see, so 2 Euro runs in a row, where some reflection of a primary is actually slightly more inland.
This is not to be confused with an inside runner.
Clearly, there’s redevelopment with some bridging of polar or arctic high still to our northeast.
But, like the 00z run, it would eventually bring in a middle of the event dry slot and give a coastal front some chance of getting close to Boston.
This, while a milder solution compared to others is still not a mild solution.
I tend to think its getting that initial reflection too far northwest and think were looking at a powdery snowfall in southern areas with no dry slot and any coastal front confined to the outer cape and nantucket.
But then again, maybe the euro is onto something.
Rain after such a cold weekend coming up
I know it shows that, but I have my doubts (see below)
It was a Weird Wordle experience. I play on my Android phone using Firefox. This morning the grid where the letters appear was very tiny and very dim. At first, I didn’t even see it there. Using Chrome on on the phone or Firefox on a laptop is normal.
Anyway, by looking very closely at the minuscule letters, I got it in 4, I think 🙂
That’s bizzare. May I suggest you get an iPhone?? Sorry. Just woke up and I couldn’t help myself. Just kidding but still laughing.
Good four. Odd word. I had nothing with my first word but three letters in correct place for second word
It is a very lucky 4 for me
4 is excellent. Great job!
Thank you TK!
Just sitting here hoping we break the 6 inch mark for Boston with this next system. Also hoping we get at least one whopper this winter.
Wordle: 4
Awesome Sue. The words keep getting curiouser.
Great job!!!
Thank you, TK.
We are up to 5 from our low of 0. I suspect there were a number of negative zero temps overnight
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=gdps&p=925wh&rh=2026012100&fh=120&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
At this point, I favor much more closely to what the GDPS is showing.
At 925mb, you can clearly see a circulation south of the south coast, but more importantly, its somewhat elongation is not up by Buffalo in a separate piece (Euro), but its elongated due west into central PA.
This eliminates a dry slot and keeps it much colder throughout the entire event.
I lean something more towards this.
Now, TK has been mentioning the double high setup and maybe the Euro is correctly simulating how one of the lows above could get further northwest towards Buffalo and introduce what the Euro is showing. But, until other models join the Euro, I’m sticking with this elongation simulation of the low.
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=ecmwf_full&p=925wh&rh=2026012100&fh=126&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
Again, here is the Euro.
Same low south of the south coast, but huge difference, its not really elongated due west, its like 2 separate lows and the other low is way to the northwest. I don’t buy this yet.
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=gfs&p=925wh&rh=2026012100&fh=126&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
GFS …. while further south, like the GDPS, the low is elongated due west. It doesn’t have this separate double low setup like the Euro.
I favor the GDPS/GFS simulation for the way they are elongating the low.
Every thing is also noticeably different at 850 mb btwn the Euro vs the GDPS/GFS
Oh, the UK Met agrees with the Euro. Same kind of separate lows aloft, one south of the south coast and one in western NY.
Interesting.
I guess this is what I am going to focus on, on the 12z suite.
Even if the Euro/UkMet are trending correctly, this will still be a cold, snowy event.
Just not quite as much and with a dry slot mid system, compared to the GDPS and GFS.
The GDPS is the best scenario for a ton of snow.
Thank you, Tom. Very interesting
Thank Tom for all of your interesting thoughts.
Something doesn’t smell right. I presume it will all be resolved soon enough.
Thanks, TK.
Always fascinating in SNE to observe during many winters a period of cold temps followed by a mix/rain event, then more cold for a couple of days, subsequently snow/mix/rain, followed by cold again. Rinse and repeat.
Having tried to explain why this is quite normal (here) to people from outside of New England, especially folks from overseas, is difficult. Our variability can be off the charts in winter.
Do not see any rain or mix on this one, not a shot with the current set up.
I have trouble understanding it myself let alone explaining it to someone.
Thanks TK
Hey all.
In Dallas this week for work. “Smells like spring” here . Low 60’s. They’re freaking out with what’s about to come their way over the weekend.
Looking forward to seeing if we can get our first deep fluff bomb in a long time when I get back
You may get an ice storm instead which would be far worse.
12z ICON with a big hit and all snow for everyone:
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=icon&p=prateptype_cat_icon-imp&rh=2026012112&fh=108&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
Kuchera Snow with a pretty uniform 12-15″ for all of SNE:
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=icon&p=snku_acc-imp&rh=2026012112&fh=150&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
ICON keeps the theme of a big hit.
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=icon&p=prateptype_cat_icon-imp&rh=2026012112&fh=108&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
Wait until the NAM is in range for some insane numbers. 🙂
ICON sure is on board!!!
Yes, it mostly elongates the low at 850 and 925 mb west to east. Mostly …….. enough not to allow a dry slot into southeastern New England.
A good upper level setup for maximizing snow potential from this type of scenario.
Will the other models follow in agreement?
12z GFS now all in as well.
Long duration storm and big hit. 15-20″ Kuchera…
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?rh=2026012112&fh=138&dpdt=&mc=&r=us_ne&p=snku_acc-imp&m=gfs
Oops sorry didn’t see yours when I posted. 🙂
12Z GDPS kuchera snow
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=gdps&p=snku_acc-imp&rh=2026012112&fh=138&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
Introduces SLEET along SOuth coast up to South of Boston
12Z GFS Kuchera Snow
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=gfs&p=snku_acc-imp&rh=2026012112&fh=135&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
We are going to be up in Bretton Woods NH this weekend, heading up Friday PM and coming back Sunday. This is looking like it is going to be a hell of a ride back!
Careful!!
Oh dear. Be safe.
I didn’t discover Bretton woods until after we stopped skiing as a family. Mac’s and my company enjoyed a couple of great long weekends as a group. Oddly, I skied better than I ever had. It’s a lovely area
GFS elongated west to east at both 850 and 925mb.
Not showing that separated low centers like the Euro.
Came further north.
So ….. will the Euro and UkMet maintain their separated lows aloft or will they become more elongated east to west?
Tom, do have a model graphic that shows that.
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=gfs&p=850wh&rh=2026012112&fh=114&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
See the low south of New England ….. it then bridges a bit westward. If you look over Buffalo, there is no additional low there,
Conversely, look at this on the latest RDPS ….
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=gdps&p=850wh&rh=2026012112&fh=114&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
See how much more of a low reflection there is over western NY, eastern Michigan?
latest GDPS
Quite the difference! Thank you.
This one is coming, the question is whether it’s 8-12 or 15-20 or 20+
The trend is our friend with this one….I would lean high. This thing is a huge storm, expansive precip field, and long duration. Plenty of precip running into a very cold dome of air. Dont need a ton of QPF to get to 20″. Big powder bomb!!!
Or the trend could be our nightmare if it comes any farther north, lol.
Yes! My concern now.
ALSO, the models may not be picking up on
possible OCEAN ENHANCEMENT.
I may get my wish
ha !!
The 12z GDPS is coming around a bit to the 00z Euro and UkMet.
Its lows at 850 and 925 mb arent elongated east to west.
Compared to its own 00z run, it goes more to 2 separate lows, with the low over western NY being stronger than it was on its 00z run.
Its why its showing sleet further north than on its 00z run.
Drives the higher totals up north. Southern areas get dry slotted after the initial slug of heavy snow, capping those areas at 10-12″….
GGEM Snow:
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=gdps&p=snku_acc-imp&rh=2026012112&fh=144&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
We wanted it to come North, but Now I am fearful it comes too far North of all things!!!!!
I feel confident on a cold system.
I dont feel confident yet on massive snow amts because if the upper features separate a little, (we want an elongated low that stays at a latitude to our south), then we can introduce a mild intrusion at same layer aloft into southern New England or a dry slot.
I have confidence in a moderate snowfall.
But, can’t say major until we know if the system is elongated and stays to our south (hopefully) or this ends up being a split system aloft (one to our west at our latitude and one south of us)
Thanks, TK.
12Z UKMET 10:1 snow
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=ukmo_global&p=sn10_acc-imp&rh=2026012112&fh=150&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
we can multiple those numbers by at least 1.5
It looks like a funky solution with 2 lows. Weird.
There’s fun to be seen at hrs 258-270 on the 12z GFS op run.
lol !!!
You mean this beauty lol
https://www.tropicaltidbits.com/analysis/models/?model=gfs®ion=neus&pkg=mslp_pcpn_frzn&runtime=2026012112&fh=6
Yup, 970 down to 958 mb 🙂
this? https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=gfs&p=prateptype_cat-imp&rh=2026012100&fh=300&r=conus&dpdt=&mc=
EURO AI has it but more off shore
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=gfs&p=prateptype_cat-imp&rh=2026012112&fh=264&r=conus&dpdt=&mc=
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=gfs&p=prateptype_cat-imp&rh=2026012112&fh=270&r=conus&dpdt=&mc=
This isn’t coming any more north and please it’s not going to mix or rain here. So let’s focus on track and then totals should be tomorrow or Friday.
Rain, likely not but mix or dry slot can’t be ruled out yet depending on what happens at 850 and 925mb.
It can always rain here in the Winter,. I don;t care how cold it is to start. Hopefully that will be a hard NO for this event.
Agreed.
But even with the 2 separate low aloft option, there is a bridges polar or arctic high to our northeast, the antecedent airmass is very cold, the ocean is down to 41F and the sfc wind is likely to be NE, but never really E or certainly not SE, so I think plain rain will be tough to come by in this unique case.
Agree for this event, UNLESS it is able to move evern farther North. 🙂 Hopefully that won’t happen.
It can’t really much more with the H
And if it is a rain event, it is sure to verify. Oops, I may have spoken for you Philip. 🙂
Of course it can, but with this setup it won’t happen here
The Euro AI usually starts coming out by now, followed shortly by the regular euro. NADA as of now.
It’s running from what I can see
Pretty widespread 10+ inches at 10:1 and we know it won’t be that. I’ll post the numbers when it’s done
It’s going to be a crush job for all of SNE
I am holding you to this Hadi. 🙂
Ha please do. Higher than usual confidence on this one. lol
18Z ICON Kuchera Snow
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=icon&p=snku_acc-imp&rh=2026012112&fh=132&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
18Z NAM, locked and loaded
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=nam&p=ref1km_ptype&rh=2026012112&fh=84&r=conus&dpdt=&mc=
From Pete
https://ibb.co/kV8ZFbWR
Literally leaving the 27th just in time for the real storms to begin god dammit. What did i say a month ago lol
Might be a good idea to have your car battery tested. Also if possible have your alternator also tested. I’m more concerned about the bitter cold Saturday and Sunday mornings than the snow.
Euro came in a little more elongated vs its 00z run, good for higher snow.
12z Euro for 1PM Sunday:
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=ecmwf_full&p=prateptype_cat_ecmwf-imp&rh=2026012112&fh=102&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
10:1 Snow
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=ecmwf_full&p=sn10_acc-imp&rh=2026012112&fh=138&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
About 1″ QPF region wide with should be good for 15″+ most places.
12z Euro AI a bit juicier with 1.1-1.2″ QPF across SNE. Would be good for 15-20″…
https://www.americanwx.com/bb/uploads/monthly_2026_01/IMG_3220.png.9aa2f924f8804e6766468de2fd4a85e3.png
And here is that follow-up blizzard shown by the 12z GFS for 2/1-2/2. 970mb over ACK bombing out to 954mb in the Gulf of Maine:
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=gfs&p=prateptype_cat-imp&rh=2026012112&fh=264&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
That one drops 2-3 feet of snow 🙂
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=gfs&p=snku_024h-imp&rh=2026012112&fh=270&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
12z GFS Run Total Snow for laughs with 4-5 feet across most of SNE…
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=gfs&p=snku_acc-imp&rh=2026012112&fh=384&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
I am flying back from Fort Myers and on a layover at BWI and on my lap top a weather alert just came up for 16 inches of snow in Baltimore Sunday. WHOA!!
Enjoy your extended trip to Florida 🙂
12z Ensemble Means all on board for big snow as well….
eweather
@Eweather13
48m
Latest 12z models and ensembles….game on for an impactful winter storm across SNE Sunday.
https://x.com/Eweather13/status/2014051828015460617?s=20
If you are converting QPF to snow as a rule of thumb, Pete basically saying go closer to 20:1 with this storm than 10:1. If those ratios are achieved, the latest Euro runs pumping out 1.0-1.2″ QPF would deliver 20″+ totals.
Pete Bouchard
@PeteNBCBoston
2h
With latest consensus of .7″ of water (storm total) under 20:1 snow ratios, we’re in the 14″ range. Obviously, the ratio is temp dependent and will likely waver during the event.
https://x.com/PeteNBCBoston/status/2014021070538379639?s=20
Ben Noll
@BenNollWeather
3h
Winter storms like the one this weekend spark the next generation’s interest in meteorology.
Some meteorology students starting college between 2035 and 2040 will say the storm of 2026 was their spark.
This was one of my sparks, in March 1993.
https://x.com/BenNollWeather/status/2014005074004156588?s=20
If nothing changes between now and the event, do we think schools will be closed Monday?
Monday AND Tuesday – we forgot how to handle snow totals of this magnitude -LOL (if it comes to fruition)
The 2 dayers are rare. If the timing was different (Monday am to Tues am I would agree).
Don’t know but some people were asking me about Monday at school today.
I said it’s our best chance for a snow day thus far.
My son is a senior and says “bring on the snow days”!
I remember that when my kids were seniors. No makeup. I hope for several for your son
I remember my junior year all the snow days went well into June. Seniors didnt need to make anything up. They took away a vacation day because of it.. i didnt go either of the two days they took. Then my senior year 2012 not a single snow day besides for 2011 oct 2 days.
Thanks TK.
Yeah, this one’s coming. If you really want to worry about failure modes, a southern/suppressed track is still a bigger concern IMO than potential mixing issues. And in terms of QPF, it’s hard to see this really reaching “blockbuster” territory. Even the most bullish scenarios aren’t much better than 1” liquid, and most are lower. Ratios will definitely compensate though, and widespread double digit snow totals seem increasingly likely for most of SNE. And in the lower snow era of recent years, I suppose that could be considered a blockbuster…
AFCCG at Gillette could’ve been an epic snow bowl! But that might’ve favored Denver anyways 😉
Thank you WxWatcher. I hope you are well and enjoying CA
Thanks Vicki 🙂 all is well here, I’ll be missing the snow though! Hope you’re doing well too!
TK – the “split high” pattern was an absolute revelation for me. My first take, which I don’t think I was alone in, was “1050mb Arctic high, wagons south on the storm.”
But in reality, yes it’s a 1050mb Arctic high to start, but it’s distinctly weakening as it moves north of New England, and/or “splitting off” as a second high center develops well to the west. We’ve seen opposite cases where you have a strengthening high pushing in and it suppresses things south, at least in my experience that seems to be the more common case. But clearly you can get a weakening/splitting high scenario like this too, which is much more conducive for a low, especially a strengthening one, to push into.
A rule of thumb that’s worked well in my winter weather forecasting experience is that amplifying lows tend to overperform and de-amplifying ones tend to underperform. Pressure trends often matter as much or more than actual magnitude. But I’ll be paying more attention to high pressure trends as well in the future, not just the lows…
Over the years I have learned that the high pressure area plays a pretty significant role – definitely no different in the upcoming case. 🙂
Thank you for your thoughts on this. Really!!
🙂
Looking promising right now the count Philip has been doing will end with this storm system as Boston will finally have a six inch snowstorm
And once they get the first one, why not give them another soon after? 😉
I hit the like button on that.
TK as you mentioned the other day there were a couple times Boston came close to getting a six inch snowfall.
Twice last year and once this year, over 5 inches.
Tk do you think I’ll get that wish ? Double digit numbers , long & drawn out, I hope this hype delivers !!!
Well as you know I’ll put my first #’s on it tomorrow, but you have a legit shot at this point.
I’m just nervous as it’s only Wednesday
From Ryan Hanrahan
Early Thoughts on the Sunday/Monday Storm ⚠️
❄️ Snow begins around midday Sunday with the heaviest Sunday evening.
❄️ At least 6″ of snow is becoming increasingly likely.
❄️ Significant travel issues locally and across most of the east coast and south.
Thank you JimmyJames!
I think the 1st major event in 2015 occurred on Jan 24th and 25th … citing this from memory.
There was a moderate event on January 24.
There was a major snowstorm on January 27.
You predicted the one on the 24th as i remember.
Yes, and the 27th.
Actually, more importantly, on January 10th, JMA and I discussed the upcoming pattern featuring a very notable period of winter storms starting about January 24 and ending about March 8.
I do not remember the one on the 27th. I must of had an extra glass of cabernet that day.
Logan, 22.1 inches (late 26th through 27th). Fourth highest snow total on record from one storm.
This was the first of the 4 big ones.
TK – I have relatives in VA and NC. For them, will it be ice…or snow…or both?
My hope it will be more snow like up here. Ice would really them keep indoors for maybe days on end.
Actually can you give me the regions they are in and I can try to pinpoint it a bit more for you? Might take me a bit to reply. I was at work 45 min later than usual and I’m in mega-catch-up mode on home stuff.
My dear friend in north central SC said they have been cautioning about an ice storm for days.
Looking somewhat like a BM storm … at the moment.
18Z ICON Kuchera snow
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=icon&p=snku_acc-imp&rh=2026012112&fh=132&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
Psst! This run of this model is very close to how I envision this storm playing out here, maybe a bit more conservative on the snowfall. But as usual, my #’s are coming tomorrow.
Are you leaning 8-12 as opposed to 10-15?? Just trying to get you to spill the beans. Btw, there was a time you didn’t care for the ICON. Have you changed your mind about it?
The ICON is not “great”, but it does well with some set-ups.
It is currently more dependable than the GFS outside 4 days.
🙂
I read it that the ICON was being more conservative, but perhaps that is just my wishcasting coming through.
That’s how I read it too, which means….SNOW+++++
I meant it as I’d hold back a bit from the ICON #’s if someone forced me to talk #’s right now. 🙂
Ah ok, read that wrong
Was just out and it looks and feels like SNOW.
Radar agrees.
https://radar.weather.gov/station/KBOX/standard
Tk do u think this type of storm could delay or even cancel flights out of logan tuesday the 27th at 8am even though the storm would be over monday afternoon?
I mentioned back in december i thought the real storms will start around or after the 27th when i leave
I think the 27th will be OK, maybe just some lingering delays, but that would highly depend on whether or not flights related to the Logan ones were impacted by delays / cancellations at other airports also impacted.
Safe travels Matt.
Where are you headed this time, Matt?
back to Victoria Australia where I am doing my Phd. Things so far going right so 2 more years, but i might be going to Malta or Abu Dhabi this year for conferences. Would love to go to Malta but the conference is not really my thing, meanwhile Abu Dhabi is the international conference and workshop for Seagrass biology. So will see which one I get to go too. Lots of work, but gonna be a fun year.
That is so exciting, Matt. Wishing you the very best
All the best from me too!
The 18Z GFS has backed off considerably on the synoptic snow but looks like it keep OE going for many hours along the coast bumping totals there.
Kuchera Snow
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=gfs&p=snku_acc-imp&rh=2026012118&fh=126&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
Meanwhile, who filled the 18z ICON with rocket fuel and set it off? Holy smokes!
I’ve looked at what I can look at, and I wonder about the trade off between duration and intensity. I sort of think duration wins out and that’s what brings us the higher totals. Now that I said that, I’ll be all wrong!
I like your wonderings. At this point I’m not sure many of any have a definite outcome.
I’ve been thinking that as well IN fact I told my wife that the storm will last well into Monday and NEVER be heavy snow but a high intensity light snow which would go moderate from time to time, but mostly light.
Thanks, TK!
Love this. Good for him.
Oops that was for SClarke
Jacob Wycoff has it written in stone:
https://ibb.co/8L7R2fS4
Ha Ha 🙂
Light snow here
There is a light coating on the road
The ridging off the SE coast is another thing that, I believe, has changed the last 24-36 hrs.
A day or 2 ago, when it appeared a graze or a miss to the south, the ridging off the SE coast was flatter.
It’s more stout now and is helping to lift all this moisture up into the Arctic air.
2 days ago, graze on Euro
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=ecmwf_full&p=500wh&rh=2026012000&fh=156&r=conus&dpdt=&mc=
Today
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=ecmwf_full&p=500wh&rh=2026012112&fh=108&r=conus&dpdt=&mc=
And that has always sharpened the trof and sent it further west.
Which in turn has changed the 500 mb flow over us from WSW to due SW
Always = also
If this works out correct, with potential long duration, pacific moisture, gulf moisture, Atlantic moisture into Arctic air and a fairly cold column, there is opportunity for a ton of powdery snow that stacks up very quickly.
Agree 100% and it’s hard for TV Mets to jump on board with insane numbers but I bet the powder effect will be massive.
Yes.
I liked what I think 2 of them did, if I saw correctly.
They had a graphic with categories, such as 3”, 6” and 12” and then they assigned low, medium or high chance/probability. I thought that was reasonable and it avoided a snowfall map, which I do think is too early.
Well, the next 48 hrs are obviously important.
I’d still like more consistency at 850 mb. That couple runs with seemingly separate lows, that weak low at our latitude over western NY.
That’s got to go all together to maximize this event. Avoid a dry slot.
If it’s the models that have a low at 850mb dozens of miles south of the south coast and it’s elongated west, then we’re in business.
That will be overrunning snow at first, then, when the low is south of us and the wind is east northeast at 850 and 925 mb above us, we’ll have moisture flowing in from the ocean east of us. That would be ideal to maximize this particular setup.
Is this snow supposed to continue. I need to go out in am and one fall has been enough
More like one too many! Are you ok?
Just had a horrendous ride down I84 from Sturbridge back here to Coventry CT. Snowing hard, poor visibility, and the interstate was covered. Back home now and we have over an inch of new snow on the ground and still snowing moderately. This has caught me by surprise. Third overachieving event here in the last five days!
Ugh. So glad you are safe at home. I also didn’t expect this. But I’m safe at home.
Just measured 1.75” new on the deck and still snowing hard. And it looks by the radar like we have at least another hour of this to go!
Snowing pretty good here.
Mark glad you got home safe.
One thing I will be watching is will BDL have a snowfall of a 12 or more inches. Last time that happened February 2021.
Coming down at a good clip here.
Ripping snow here with 2.25” now and back edge of the snow is still back in the Hudson Valley.
To Tom’s point the TV mets are still shying away from amounts and instead instead are assigning probabilities or words like high, medium and low to different snowfall amounts. I think they’ll produce snow maps tomorrow but probably should wait until Friday.
0z ICON goes absolutely bonkers with a double barreled low. Snows from Sunday afternoon to Tuesday AM and delivers two feet of snow with spot 30” amounts west/southwest of Boston:
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=icon&p=snku_acc-imp&rh=2026012200&fh=180&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
LOL!
Some 27-30” amounts north/northeast of Boston as well.
I have been reading recon flights going into what will be the weekend storm and the data from that should be put into the 0z runs.
Tonight’s little system is being quite the overproducer west of Boston.
Indeed. Can you make it stop please 😉
Ditto
If you are sick of it already, you are really going to be hurting by next week 🙂
Let’s keep these overproducers coming!
So far with the 0z guidance both the ICON and GFS have double digit snowfall amounts for SNE.
0z GFS
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=gfs&p=snku_acc-imp&rh=2026012200&fh=111&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
TK – What about Richmond VA and Raleigh NC?
Ice vs. snow?
Final storm total for 0z GFS
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=gfs&p=snku_acc-imp&rh=2026012200&fh=120&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
0z GFS with a nice hit….pretty much doubles the snow totals from 18z. Good for 12-18” region wide:
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?rh=2026012200&fh=126&dpdt=&mc=&r=us_ne&p=snku_acc-imp&m=gfs
Finally the set up has my attention. I’d bet against any warmer solution. If anything, a more suppressed system(s) is more likely. Nonetheless, it is looking more and more likely for an impactful prolonged winter storm to affect southern New England later Sunday into Monday night. Looking at the flow charts as well as the synoptic setup, it is looking more and more likely for a widespread 10+ inches of powder across much of the reason. I feel this is even being conservative. Snow ratios should exceed 12-15:1 depending on the northern extent of the meaningful snow which may experience a sharp cut off. That dendritic snow growth region is critical as it relates to the snow stacking up. While I don’t see an all out Armageddon, it appears more and more likely that SNE will be under the gun and we can finally kiss goodbye Phillip’s countdown which I, for one, is tired of seeing everyday.
Makes sense.
I do enjoy and appreciate Philips countdown.
Thanks Vicki! 🙂
0z Canadian way north again and delivers mixing all the way to Hartford and Boston. Cuts totals down in southern areas but still good for 12”-18” north of the mix line:
https://www.pivotalweather.com/model.php?m=gdps&p=snku_acc-imp&rh=2026012200&fh=126&r=us_ne&dpdt=&mc=
Want to see that come down a little bit south so no mixing gets involved.
I’d be stunned if any mixing was involved outside of the Southcoast line, cape cod and the islands. Yet, I wouldn’t exactly route against the if it meant an elongated strung out storm system that traverses the BM.
According to what I am reading, the new recon data you mentioned earlier from Baja California made it into the GFS and Euro but not the Canadian. I wouldn’t be too concerned about what the Canadian showing unless we start to see the Euro come further north as well.
2.5” and snow picking back up here. Another slug of heavy snow about to move in from SW CT should push us well over 3” from this surprise little snow storm tonight.
TK – what is going on here?
Warm advection and it looks like a mid level boundary became parallel to the upper flow for a few hours. Atmosphere cold enough to support snow despite the incoming warmer air. You can wring some decent snow out of a set-up like this.
It was significant under-forecast by all our best short range guidance.
Thanks. Pretty fascinating. I expected some light snow tonight with this and would not have been surprised to see a coating to an inch but thought it would be much more progressive. This is going to end up being a 5 hour borderline moderate event when all is said and done.
It’s my fault. The fates don’t want me to get my cat back
You lost your cat?
Oh dear. My car. With an R. So sorry
Oh good, losing a pet would have been awful!
Philip … based on current information my best guesses are:
Richmond VA: During the day Friday just some spotty light rain and mild air. Much colder air comes in Friday night through the weekend. The key is what happens aloft. I think it starts snowing Friday night mixed with sleet at times into Saturday with several inches of snow. The precip continues into Sunday but the wildcard is the warm air aloft. I feel like they are going to warm aloft enough to flip to rain, but stay very cold at the surface for freezing rain to occur. Sunday could be pretty nasty. Root for a colder solution aloft.
Raleigh NC: Starts as rain late Friday, flips to snow overnight through Saturday with a few to several inches, then goes to sleet then freezing rain into Sunday before ending. For that area, I expect significant icing.
Wow. This is great. Thanks TK.
Thanks TK. Tough travel no doubt. At least here in SNE nice fluffy snow.
Yes. I lean very cold. I don’t buy the tracks far enough north (Canadian model) to bring mix to the South Coast. Snow event, fluff. Only question to answer is how much for the region.
What was a gentle steady falling snow with a nice coating developing here, warm air quickly sneaked up the South Shore and changed everything to RAIN! 🙁 Oh well.
At least we will be “rewarded” come Sunday afternoon along with a Patriots win! ❄️ 🙂
At least the rain in that area is verifying. I mean the snow did too, but it was longer lasting and heavier than I expected there.
Most of what fell tonight goes byebye tomorrow with the “mild” interlude. Then we don’t see another one of those for quite some time.
Good news. There is hope yet
JR mentioned the 40/70 benchmark A LOT during his segments tonight. I like it that he educates the viewing public whenever he can.
🙂
Over/ just outside = snow ❄️
Just inside = rain 🙁
Good Celtics game tonight Philip!
Yes indeed!
JR’s exact words! 😉
I meant the benchmark information.
Snow finally winding down here. Just measured 3.6” on the deck.
Just shy of 10” of snow here from three events in the last 5 days. Not too shabby!
21” now on the season here.
Oz Euro is pretty far north and introduces a bit of mixing south coast and eventual dry slotting but not before dumping 1.0-1.1” QPF. Again, seems good for 15”+ most places.
And it follows this up with a major Nor’easter next Sunday.
Now I wonder if another “2015” is setting up?
Not the same pattern.
JR also mentioned that our storm is going to originate over Baja CA. I assume that is important as well. I’ll try and remember that for future potential snow events.
The storm is picking up moisture all over the place … Pacific (Baja), the Gulf, and the Atlantic. Then it bumps into the cold, dry air from the PV.
It’s notable in this particular instance, but it’s not a big “thing”.
Also the 40/70 rule here applies, but only loosely. That low comes inside 40/70 and it’s still snow, unless it comes inside so far that it’s right on the coastline.
New post…