WINTER STORMS KEEP ELUDING ROCHESTER
Written By: Scott Hetsko
Everyone keeps asking me why haven't we gotten a major snowstorm here in Western New York this Winter. We've had plenty of chances with a very active Southern Jetstream especially in January. The problem lies in the lack of upper air energy diving out of Canada. Everytime a good old storm gets brewing South, high pressure is moving toward us from Eastern Canada which forces a would be candidate Southeast of the area.
We need the two Jetstreams you see in the image above to PHASE! If the atmosphere would just have better timing, we'd be all set for a significant snowstorm. I don't see this phase occurring anytime soon but don't be discouraged, some of our best snowstorms happen in February and March so I still expect at least one good one this Winter for all!
Scott,
ReplyDeleteWhat is tea kettle lake effect snow?
The part I don't understand, though, Scott, is how come we haven't even had any clippers dive down and drop a general few inches of snow? We've certainly had the troughiness and cold air in place, and I thought clippers don't seem to require phasing or the southern stream. What on earth is it going to take to change this pattern? Are there any subtle hints in the long range at all that suggest a shift to a more favorable or vigorous storm track for us? Anything at all?
ReplyDeletescott have you ever seen a pattern like this before? Is this what it was like decades ago when Rochester most winters averaged only 60 or 70 inches for the whole year?
ReplyDeleteTea Kettle lake snow usually refers to a lake band of snow that forms over the lake with little wind to push it onshore. These bands often form on bitter cold days with huge lake induced instability under high pressure.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for Spring....and I'm a snow lover!
ReplyDelete