7:47PM<\/p>\n
As the final flakes finish flying on the South Coast this Friday evening, the numbers are in! And the jackpot from the big not-quite-so-accurately-forecast snowstorm is …… Milton Massachusetts! More specifically, the top of Great Blue Hill, with 29.8 inches of snow! This is the 5th largest snowstorm on record for this historic observatory!<\/p>\n
Quick commentary on the storm, which was obviously very badly under-forecast by myself. In talking with a colleague, we agree that this reminds us of a similar snowfall forecast bust that took place on December 23 1997. The highest snow forecast in the media was 4-8 inches due to marginal temperatures and an expected flip between rain and snow. The forecast for the temperature was a couple degrees to warm, and when it came in colder, snow took over, and 1 to 2 feet later…. Well you can see, similar story here. One saving grace of a colder storm is that the snow was not quite as wet and pasty during the\u00a0 height of it, and this limited the build up on trees and power lines, thus limiting\u00a0 power outages issues. Significant coastal flooding and beach erosion did take place in some sections, as expected. An interesting note was a “snow-void” region in much of RI during the first 2\/3 of the storm. This will be a subject of study and I’ll have further info on that soon. The most unusual aspect of this storm would\u00a0 have to be that the center was several hundred miles south to southeast of New England yet it was able to crank heavy precipitation in here. Remarkable storm.<\/p>\n
Moving forward…<\/p>\n
The big storm will be cranking far offshore as it drifts away this weekend and we are in a sliver of high pressure that will bring dry weather, milder air, and lots of melting snow. A warm front will approach Monday with more clouds, and this may hold back a warm-up. Briefly warmer air should come through the region Tuesday but will likely be accompanied by rain showers triggered by an approaching cold front. This front will be moving offshore Wednesday but upper level low pressure may bring clouds and a chance of snow showers. Cold air will be more established by Thursday and a wave of low pressure brings a chance of mixed precipitation or snow by next Friday, based on current expected timing of systems.<\/p>\n
Forecast for southeastern New England…<\/p>\n
TONIGHT: Any lingering mix\/snow showers end along the South Coast otherwise mostly to partly cloudy. Lows 25-30. Wind N 10-20 MPH.<\/p>\n
SATURDAY: Clouds give way to sun. Highs 43-48. Wind N 5-15 MPH.<\/p>\n
SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows 25-30 except near 20 some valleys. Wind calm.<\/p>\n
SUNDAY: Sun giving way to clouds. Highs 43-48. Wind E 5-15 MPH.<\/p>\n
MONDAY: Cloudy. Low 33. High 46.<\/p>\n
TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers. Low 36. High 48.<\/p>\n
WEDNESDAY: Variably cloudy. Chance of snow showers. Low 23. High 34.<\/p>\n
THURSDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 21. High 33.<\/p>\n
FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of mix\/snow. Low 22. High 34.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
7:47PM As the final flakes finish flying on the South Coast this Friday evening, the numbers are in! And the jackpot from the big not-quite-so-accurately-forecast snowstorm is …… Milton Massachusetts! More specifically, the top of Great Blue Hill, with 29.8 inches of snow! This is the 5th largest snowstorm on record for this historic observatory! … Continue reading Big Miss On Big Hit<\/span>