[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FioCElfkY-0&w=480&h=360]
WARMING UP SNOW DEPTH DOWN: Sunshine will be doing a number on the snow depth across the state over the next few days with temperatures well above freezing today and Friday. This may cause some fog especially in the morning hours in the heaviest snow packed areas. Any melting of the snow may refreeze and cause a few slick spots on area roadways. Temperatures today will be in the 30s to lower 40s with Friday seeing readings in mid to upper 30s north and northeast to lower 50s southwest.
ANOTHER WEEKEND, ANOTHER STORM: It’s looking like the weekend will not be one for going outside and doing anything out of doors with a storm system moving through the state. Rain and perhaps some freezing rain will move into the state late Friday night into Saturday. Right now it’s looking like the best chance for seeing any of the icy conditions will be contained to the northern and northeastern counties of the state. It should switch over to all rain my mid-morning Saturday as temperatures climb well above the freezing mark. There is an outside chance of seeing some isolated thunderstorms mixed in as well in the southern counties of the state. As the storm begins to lift out late Saturday night into Sunday, colder air will filter into the state switching some of the precipitation over to snow. Most of the moisture with this system will be east of the state by the time the cold air arrives but we can’t rule out a chance of seeing some light snow or flurries on the back side. Accumulating snow is probable in the northwestern counties but it’s too early to determine actual amounts at this time. Overall, however this will be a very substantial storm with regards to precipitation amounts. about three quarters to an inch and a half of liquid equivalent is possible before the storm departs Sunday.
MARCHING INTO SEASONAL: Next week will start out a bit cooler than the end of this week, but it’s not going to be overly cold by any means. Highs in the 30s and 40s will be quite common across the state melting what little left of the snow we’ll have by that time. A weak disturbance Wednesday and Wednesday night may bring a few flurries or sprinkles but shouldn’t amount to a whole lot.
MARCHING TO STORMY WEATHER: Looking past the next seven days, the GFS is still continuing to show several storm systems that could impact the state throughout the rest of the month. One in particular around the 18th and 19th could be significant along with another around the 22nd. Any precipitation right now is beneficial for the farmers as they’ll need the ground moisture to be adequate enough for the growing season that is fast approaching.