Tuesday, March 04, 2008

Big Winter Storm upon us...

After reading several forecast discussions from National Weather Service offices in New York and reviewing our forecast this morning I am confident of one thing, we are getting a storm tonight. Now the tricky part what type of precipitation will occur?

The scenario is like this, a cold front is in the process of passing through our region this morning. In fact we are down to 2C here in Kemptville after yesterdays remarkable high of 10C. Ah the sound of running water and warm sun made it feel like spring was really here, albeit for just a few hours. The front is expected to stall through central New York. Along this front a moisture latent storm will move northeast and pass just south of the St. Lawrence Valley on Wednesday. Temperatures are very critical with this storm, and it is looking more and more likely that a significant freezing rain event will occur in the St. Lawrence Valley.

If I was a betting man, look for snow to begin this evening from Kemptville south and change to freezing rain overnight. It will remain as all snow north and west of this area including the Ottawa Valley. In all areas winds will become strong overnight gusting to 60km/h. For all areas close to 25mm of liquid will fall....this will be 15-25cm of snow or 15-25mm of ice. So you see...I was not joking it is a storm and a difficult forecast. One thing is certain it will not be a good day for any travel tomorrow across the entire northeast and Ontario and Quebec.

Winter Storm Watch: Ontario (these will be updated to Freezing Rain or snow warnings later today).
Winter Storm Warning: Montreal, Vermont and New York for snow, blowing snow and ice.

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