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Wednesday, February 6

ANOTHER BIG MISS FOR ROCHESTER


Written By:  Scott Hetsko

Good afternoon storm lovers!  A fairly strong upper air low will merge with a coastal storm on Friday morning.  This combo will produce very heavy snow and wind for interior sections of New England Friday afternoon through early Saturday.  For us, the potential is there for a plowable snow fall (3-7") most of which may occur with warm air advection late Thursday night into Friday..  The initial low will throw in enough warm air aloft to cause a mix of sleet for a time early Friday before temperatures grow colder in the afternoon and night.

If you're hoping for lake enhancement, I don't see it.  The coastal low's influence will be too far away to produce much early Saturday.  Snow showers to sunshine for Saturday and a beautiful Sunday on the way too.  Looks like you should drive 6 hours East if you want to enjoy a big snow this time around!

Thanks!

154 comments:

  1. Scott do you see New York City getting in on any bad weather Friday AM. I have a connecting flight through JFK around 9AM.

    ReplyDelete
  2. SCOTT, THIS TIME AROUND???? THAT IS ALWAYS THE CASE. WE ALWAYS MISS OUT. Another dissappointment in several years of disappointments.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. January 1966 (twice)
      March 1993
      January 1996
      March 1999 (twice)
      February 2007

      Shall I go on? These are just the most notable examples. Now knock off the melodrama.

      Delete
    2. Wow, your back!!!

      Delete
  3. Yes JFK will have delays connecting due rain or mix there but also due to other locales in the Northeast.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Scott, it looks like the it will get sloppier as one goes further south... Any thoughts on how quickly that line will grade from mostly snow to sloppy mix? (i.e., are we talking about mostly snow with some sleet in the Finger Lakes and more sleet as you move toward the PA line? Or are we likely to see a lot of sleet even in the southern parts of Greater Rochester?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks Scott, I am so glad to see your view on this. You are always the most accurate in forecasting. Have a nice day :)

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  6. Winter Storm Watch fresh off the presses. 9 to 18 inches?!

    http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=NYZ003&warncounty=NYC055&firewxzone=NYZ003&local_place1=&product1=Winter+Storm+Watch

    Personally I think that's way too high.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah I hold more faith in Scotts forecast.

      Regardless it will be nice to get some snow.

      Andy

      Delete
  7. Scott,

    What is the NWS seeing that you are not? A foot and a half? Really!?

    Signed,
    Confused

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm as confused by their forecast as you. I don't see it here, 4-8" at most in my opinion at this point.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I believe the word we are looking for here is "refer"

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  10. I'd love to know who issued this forecast. I bet you'll see it change tomorrow.

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  11. Kind of funny i hace to go with locals seeibg they r all un same range nws is nuts

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  12. Lets set up a way to gamble on snowfall totals! That will make this blog really fun and make Anon put his money where his month is....

    ReplyDelete
  13. Good to hear from you Scottie! I'm with you on the 3-7 but don't take it personally that I hope you're (we're) wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I don't know where the NWS got those numbers, but it still looks like we should see some decent snow. And Valentines Day looks interesting (looks similar to 2007), but that is still a ways out. Enjoy the snow everyone!

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is all I can gather in there discussion to suggest heavy snow...

    PRECIP SHOULD STAY ENTIRELY SNOW AS THE SURFACE LOW TRACKS
    JUST SOUTH OF THE NY/PA BORDER FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...PLACING THE
    FORECAST AREA IN A DEFORMATION BAND THAT COULD BRING SIGNIFICANT
    ACCUMULATIONS OF SNOW. A WINTER STORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE
    ENTIRE FORECAST AREA AS A RESULT.

    ReplyDelete
  16. NAM has initial low 70 miles further North which makes more sense to me given history of upper air vorts with similar steering winds in the past. You can't forecast on ONE MODEL!!!

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  17. Does that change your forecast scott?

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  18. Agreed Scott. Who knows how this thing is going to play out. Might not know till it happens.....

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  19. I won't amend my thoughts until I see a compelling reason TO change it. Not until I see 12Z data and a consensus...

    ReplyDelete
  20. Also I like history A LOT more than models...FORECAST models I mean. Actual models I enjoy! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Go check out the Brazilian model posted from time to time on the AccuWeather forums. I think you'll be pleased XD

      Delete
  21. Every county in the state has a Winter Storm Watch right now. The last time that happened was before the famous Groundhog Day Blizzard that struck Chicago hard, with a lesser but still significant impact here.

    ReplyDelete
  22. One thing we can be entirely sure of...someone on this blog will label the storm a bust no matter what happens.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I am confused. The NWS is talking about 9-18".

    ACCUMULATIONS...UP TO 2 INCHES OVERNIGHT THURSDAY NIGHT...5 TO
    10 INCHES FRIDAY...4 TO 7 INCHES FRIDAY NIGHT...AND AN INCH OR
    LESS SATURDAY...LEADING TO STORM TOTALS OF POTENTIALLY 9 TO 18
    INCHES.

    ReplyDelete
  24. The storm is a bust.... we will get 1/2 inch of snow :) LOL joking

    ReplyDelete
  25. Bringing the snowblower out of retirement! Yee-haw!!! Glad to see that you are alive Scott (as it pertains to the blog anyways). BTW, where is the douche who is always crying about a early spring?? Seems to be quiet for the moment.

    Hoping for slamarama

    ReplyDelete
  26. SREF mean is around 15 inches total. I think that's where the NWS is getting their high numbers from. I also think the SREFs are significantly overdone.

    http://www.spc.noaa.gov/exper/sref/fplumes/index.php?YMD=20130206&RT=15&PRM=Total-SNO&SID=ROC&INC=ALL&NNC=&max=&min=&mZOOM=7&mLAT=42.20385629980137&mLON=-76.68224013671875&mTYP=roadmap

    Now we just need to root for Member ARN1 to verify XD

    ReplyDelete
  27. What amazes me the most about this whole ordeal is that it's occurring with precisely zero blocking near Greenland. We wouldn't be talking about a big New England storm right now if not for two disturbances each traveling at the perfect speed to meet in the perfect spot to cause a potentially historic storm to occur. This type of thing doesn't occur very often even WITH a blocking pattern keeping the jet stream in place, so it's easy to see how vastly improbable it is when the jet stream position is constantly changing like it has been lately.

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  28. I am here anon 7:12. Are you riding on the Boston coat tails now? Becuse you live in Rochester and we will see a few inches and then look at the weekend temperatures and early next week? The few inches will be gone by Monday and then spring like so keepa quiet anon 7:12.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Boy you are delusional aren't you?

      http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?zoneid=NYZ003

      "Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow. Highs in the mid 30s."

      "Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Lows in the upper 20s."

      "Wednesday: Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow. Highs in the mid 30s."

      Springlike indeed...

      Delete
  29. I was actually out watering my lawn today, getting dry out there with all the sun and warm temps.

    ReplyDelete
  30. haha! My lawn still covered by snow.

    ReplyDelete
  31. David you are actually good with your knowledge. What do you think we will get from this storm?

    ReplyDelete
  32. Omg, you guys are cracking me up! I don't have great bladder control in the first place so thank heavens for my depends. Bring on the snow!

    ReplyDelete
  33. To be honest, I have no idea on this storm..... Im going to sit back and be a spectator.... If I had to guess, 4-8 sounds right... I don't get what the NWS is saying right now.... Maybe they see something we dont..... Magic 8 ball

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The updated watch text says 6-11 inches. Far more reasonable than their asinine prediction from earlier.

      Delete
    2. That seem more reasonable.... Whatever they were smoking this evening, I want some..

      Delete
  34. Hey spring fling! I would agree with you on the whole "early spring" thing, but then we would both be wrong.

    I'll be here all week....

    ReplyDelete
  35. 6-11 is way too high. We will be lucky to see 2-4. Winter storm watched will be dropped by tomorrow morning or afternoon and changed to a winter weather advisory, guranteed. We will be spectators to a BIG storm once again. The energy will transfer quickly and we will be left in the dry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Where the hell do you keep drawing this level of negativity from? The mood here was so great then you decided to spill your bucket of tears all over the place. Guaranteed eh? Okay I'll hold you to that Nostradamus but don't count on it happening. I bet you'll be that one guy to call the storm a bust no matter what happens. In the meantime, keep the pessimistic exaggerations to yourself.

      Delete
    2. I guess you think Scott is being negative since he just said that it will not be a big deal for us and that 3-6 is all we will get. I guess he is being negative to by telling the truth. 3-6 is only advisory level snow. That is a fact my friend.

      Delete
  36. Do you need me to fine tune those strings on your violin........

    ReplyDelete
  37. Nope. I am used to this so it does not surprise me in the least. Boston could see over 2 ft while we will see 3-6 at most. Boston could see more snow in this 1 storm than we have seen all year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You really think Boston's gonna see over 3 feet? Their biggest storm ever is 28 inches, try again buddy.

      Delete
    2. I guess you are not reading the chatter out of Boston and other stations. Yes, they are saying it is possible they could see 3ft of snow. Just because that has never hapend before means it could not happen. Really?

      Delete
  38. LOL David--- I'm glad I don't read Macedon posts while I'm driving, or I'd be tempted to jerk the wheel into a bridge abutment.

    I'll be happy with whatever we get.

    Andy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will be too. Whatever happens happens. Seems like SOME PEOPLE here won't be happy unless they get the lollipop zone of some monster fantasy blizzard.

      Delete
    2. So you would be happy with 3-4 inches. Wow!!!!!

      Delete
    3. Hahahahahahahahahaha

      Delete
    4. Hahahahahahahahahah. I can do that to. LOL

      Delete
  39. Not sure what is so funny? They are saying Boston could see up to 3 ft of snow. We have had 36" so far. MMMMMM. Do the math. 3x12= 36". Like I said Boston could see more snow in 1 storm than we have see all winter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Boston isn't going to see 3 feet of snow. Period. Even the SREF mean, which is amping snow totals too much for everyone, gives Boston 30 inches. That's the high end of the deal, most likely they'll see 18-24 inches maybe SLIGHTLY more. You may resume cutting your wrists now.

      Delete
    2. Or waterboarding....

      Delete
    3. We will see ANON. We will see. Too funny.

      Delete
  40. Lets open up the lines!!!!

    0" 50-1

    0" to 2" 40-1

    3" to 6" 4-1

    7" to 10" 3-2

    11" to 14" 17-1

    15"+ 35-1

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. im throwing a sawbuck on 17-1

      Delete
    2. Playing it safe and going with 3-2. If the odds for anything less than 2 inches are beat I say we each give Macedon an Applebees coupon and a pamphlet on tear collecting.

      Delete
    3. LOL. I love Applebees.

      Delete
    4. And crying, don't forget crying.

      Delete
    5. I just shed a tear.

      Delete
  41. My money is on 4-8" generally around here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Watch out Scott, they may think you are being negative by telling the truth. LOL

      Delete
    2. Scott... Idea for next year. For all the main snow events, we can set up some type of pool. Where a certain amount of points is awarded if you guess a certain snowfall range for a advertised snow event. For example...

      0-1" 10pts

      2-4" 8pts

      5-8" 6pts

      9-12" 4pts

      13-15" 6pts

      16-18" 8pts

      19" + 10pts

      Something like that..... Then we keep score, and the person with the most points at the end of the year can get like a tour of the news studio.... Could be fun....

      Delete
    3. Macedon you said we would get 2-4 tops, you have no right to talk about "telling the truth."

      Delete
    4. I am sticking with 2-4. Scott said 4-8. If we get 4 that is Scotts low range and my high range. He is the expert. I am just guessing.

      Delete
  42. 0z GFS is a good deal further east with the coastal low, keeping the heaviest precip amounts offshore. Boston still gets thumped with 18 inches. Our region would do just fine as well. Now if only the weather played out exactly as single model runs indicated...

    ReplyDelete
  43. 0z Euro has 1"-1.25" of QPF here, I assume the vast majority is snow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What site do you get that Euro info? I can never find it. Thanks

      Delete
  44. Even though I'm flipping exhausted I can already anticipate what I'll see when I view the blog tomorrow, so I'll just get it out of the way now to spare our troll the effort:

    "You can throw your stupid models out all you want they're always wrong. We are getting a few inches tops no big deal for Rochester then it's on to spring with highs in the 40s early next week."

    ReplyDelete
  45. I believe we are in a winter storm warning now? That is not usually issued unless they are pretty positive you get at least 8 inches of snow? I felt 6-10 the other day and I still stand by that happening with periods of heavy snow tomorrow. That is what I see but I am no expert.

    ReplyDelete
  46. I think channel 8 may be too low on their forecast now. The NWS has us in 8-12 as well as other channels. They all state the mix will stay south of us.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Nws also had us at 18 inches yesterday until tonight we may not really know

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  48. Another channel has 1-2 tonight, 6-12 tomorrow with more near the lake. They state as well as the NWS that there will be some lake enhancement with this. I know Scott stated that there would not be yesterday. We will see.

    ReplyDelete
  49. I am wondering the same thing. John had 4-8 totals this morning. Not sure wht winter strom warning if that is the case.The next GFS should tell a lot you would think.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Spring time troll-get that apple out of your mouth (like the pig that you are) and utilize your mush for brains!
    Seems to me you have really buried yourself in your little cave this time!

    Love ya like a brother!

    WINTER STORM WARNINGS RULE!!

    ReplyDelete
  51. I know some of you follow NOAA forcast discussion. But for those that don't, you may find this somewhat interesting. Oh yea, early spring, that idea is dead!

    FORECAST CONFIDENCE IN HEAVY SNOW HAS INCREASED AS A RESULT OF THE
    00Z MODEL GUIDANCE...HOWEVER SOME SIGNIFICANT AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY
    REMAIN. SURFACE LOW PRESSURE WILL LIFT ACROSS THE OHIO VALLEY
    THURSDAY NIGHT...AND THEN WILL TRANSFER ITS ENERGY TO A DEEPENING
    COASTAL LOW ON FRIDAY AS AN UPPER LEVEL SHORTWAVE PHASES WITH A
    COASTAL WAVE.

    THERE IS BROAD MODEL AGREEMENT ON THIS GENERAL PATTERN...WITH OUR
    FORECAST UNCERTAINTY STEMMING FROM HOW QUICKLY THE TRANSITION
    OCCURS...AND WHERE THE SHARPEST GRADIENT OF WARM AIR ADVECTION
    ASSOCIATED WITH THE OHIO VALLEY LOW SETS UP. THIS GRADIENT CAN BE
    SEEN IN 850 MB TEMPERATURE FORECASTS FOR FRIDAY. AREAS SOUTH OF
    THIS BOUNDARY ARE LIKELY TO BOTH HAVE LESSER QPF...AND ALSO HAVE A
    PERIOD OF MIXED PRECIPITATION IN THE FORM OF SLEET...RAIN...AND
    POSSIBLY FREEZING RAIN. MEANWHILE...ALONG THE BOUNDARY STEADY SNOWS
    WILL DEVELOP THURSDAY NIGHT AND MAINTAIN THROUGH THE DAY. BY FRIDAY
    AFTERNOON...THE SHORTWAVE ASSOCIATED WITH THE OHIO VALLEY LOW WILL
    SWEEP ACROSS THE REGION. THERE IS LITTLE QUESTION THAT THE
    ASSOCIATED SHORTWAVE WILL COOL TEMPERATURES ALOFT ENOUGH TO CHANGE
    MIXED PRECIPITATION TO SNOW AND BRING A GENERAL FEW INCHES OF SNOW
    TO ALL LOCATIONS.

    BY FRIDAY EVENING...LOW PRESSURE WILL BE RAPIDLY DEEPENING SOUTHEAST
    OF CAPE COD AS THE UPPER SHORTWAVE IS CAPTURED AND RESULTS IN
    VERTICALLY STACKED LOW. WHILE WESTERN NEW YORK WILL BE WELL TO THE
    WEST OF THIS...THE NORTHERLY FLOW ACROSS LAKE ONTARIO MAY PROVIDE
    LIMITED LAKE ENHANCEMENT IN AN ALREADY MOIST ENVIRONMENT. 850 MB
    TEMPERATURES SHOULD ONLY BE ABOUT -12C...WHICH WILL RESULT IN ONLY A
    MODEST ENHANCEMENT...WITH STEADY SNOWS TO CUT OFF WITH THE EXIT OF
    THE UPPER LEVEL TROF AND MOISTURE ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

    MODEL GUIDANCE IS ACTUALLY IN QUITE CLOSE AGREEMENT. THERE ARE
    MINIMAL DIFFERENCES AMONG THE NAM/RGEM/GFS/EUROPEAN/SREF. THE RGEM
    IS THE WARMEST...EUROPEAN THE COLDEST...BUT THE SPREAD BETWEEN THEM
    IS RELATIVELY NARROW. THIS SAID...THIS SPREAD IS RELEVANT SINCE THE
    850MB BOUNDARY ACROSS WESTERN NEW YORK IS KEY. FEEL MODEL QPF
    FORECASTS JUST SOUTH OF THIS BOUNDARY ARE PROBABLY OVERDONE ON
    FRIDAY...WITH MODEL QPFS ON FRIDAY NIGHT PROBABLY UNDERDONE IN
    REGIONS PRONE TO NORTHERLY UPSLOPING AND LAKE ENHANCEMENT.

    BASED ON THE DISCUSSION ABOVE...HAVE GONE WITH THE FOLLOWING SNOW
    AMOUNTS...

    WARNINGS...
    BUFFALO AND THE NIAGARA FRONTIER...6 TO 12 INCHES. SOME SLEET.
    ROCHESTER AND NORTHERN FINGER LAKES...8 TO 12 INCHES.
    EASTERN LAKE ONTARIO...10 TO 18 INCHES.

    WATCH...
    LIVINGSTON/ONTARIO/WYOMING/S ERIE...4 TO 8 INCHES POSSIBLE. SLEET.
    WESTERN SOUTHERN TIER...4 TO 7 INCHES POSSIBLE. MIXED PRECIPITATION.

    ReplyDelete
  52. This just in! SEEING THAT THIS IS WINTER, IT WILL SNOW!

    ReplyDelete
  53. I heard that n o one is supposed to leave their house after noon tomorrow because of the BLIZZARD. ROCwhine

    ReplyDelete
  54. Anyone know why buf to Utica have warnings, but eastward are only watches?

    Andy

    ReplyDelete
  55. Andy, I was wondering the same thing. I am not sure if anyone knows for sure the extent of this storm. Sure we might get a few inches, but I am siding with Scott and thinking this is not a big deal for us. The storm we had right after Christmas would have produced more snow than the one we will see tomorrow. I am sort of believing that we will be seeing more of a mixed precip. than an all snow event. Boston will have a huge storm to deal with.

    ReplyDelete
  56. They always want to sugar coat the forecast. They do NOT prepare you for a winter storm. All they do is tell you the day before. That is it! They are nothing special. The way I see it, they need to take away their extended forecast because they change it daily. The changes are not little, either. They sugar coat these winter storms because they want to keep people driving, going out, and spending money. They are trying to keep the retailers happy. They are trying to appease the sorry people who don't like snow. They want to get more viewers. To get more viewers, Channel 8 will sugar coat the forecasts by downplaying everything. They will tell the majority of the people who don't want snow exactly what they want to hear. This basically gives them more viewers, and even the advertisers are happy too. It is so obvious, I can't believe you people can't see this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saying that tv meteorologists pander to snow haters by downplaying snowstorms not only makes NO sense, it is a direct insult to the profession of meteorology. If anything a minority of them OVER hype storms to get ratings (i.e. the alarmist at Ch. 10). People won't stay tuned in to follow the Great 2-4 Inch Snowfall of 2013, but they WILL tune in to follow the Storm of the Century. No respectable meteorologist (i.e. Scott, John, Stacey) would downplay OR overplay a storm just for ratings. Some mets have personal preferences that factor into their forecasts, but the majority do not. And the extended forecast remains so that people can keep longer range possibilities in the back of their minds. Now put the tinfoil hat away Alex Jones.

      Delete
    2. At 9:27. I FIRMLY do not believe that channel 8 overplays snow. My snow forecast philosophy:

      1. Watch Channel 10. Note forecast numbers- my wife likes 10 - I can't STAND their weather people.

      2. Sneak upstairs and watch 8. Breathe sigh of relief at reasonable forecast.

      3. Watch 13. Usually they go around the same as 8 (mostly).

      Now for the calculations.

      Discard figures from channel 10.

      Take average of 8 and 13.

      There is the amount of snow you will get.

      Delete
    3. One problem: Channel 13 is calling for 4-7 inches with the possibility of plain rain mixing in for a time. That range is too low in my amateur opinion, but still not entirely out of the realm of reason (and is close to the conservative call from 8). The biggest qualm I have with that forecast is the mention of rain maybe mixing in. There is not a single indicator, anywhere, that even a single drop of liquid rain will get remotely close to us. Even a brief period of sleet mixing in is a big maybe right now, so it's pretty safe to say that we won't be seeing any rain in the Rochester metro. This isn't a knock against the fine weather team here at Channel 8, and I know you can't stand Channel 10, but this lowly blogger agrees with their 6-12 inch call since it's very similar to most other forecasts out there.

      Delete
  57. Done with this blog (like the pig that you are) do not need the disrespect and insults. I hope you all get a 100 inches with this storm but 2 is more like it. But done with the disrespect thus so long and enjoy spring.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did not disrespect anything. You did. You called me a pig. Its obvious that you don't like snow. You are the people that Channel 8 is appeasing. This is not the place you should live. You should consider living in Phoenix where the warm weather does not change.

      Delete
    2. Goodbye and good riddance Springstradamus.

      Channel 8 appeases NO ONE.

      Delete
  58. Blog jester 1. Spring troll 0. Lmfao.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Why can't we all get along??? Let's not cry over a little snow :)

    ReplyDelete
  60. These storms that transfer to the coast are tricky. There have been times we have been geared up for accumulating snow... only to end up with virtually nothing as the coastal steals all the energy at the very last minute.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree Caledonia. This is why I'm not getting my hopes up. I'm waiting to see the NWS updates later to see how that is trending. I'm not a model reader, but I like to see the consistency between different forecasters and how it trends as we get closer to zero hour.

      I just hope we get a least a couple inches of snow. Anything above that is gravy.

      Andy

      Delete
    2. The argument against that happening here is just how vigorous the northern stream low is, plus how late the phasing is expected to occur. If anything a slightly earlier phase could work in our favor, as the wind would turn out of the north sooner and keep the warm nose further away, thus lessening the risk of sleet mixing in and cutting our snow amounts down. Personally I'm more worried about the warmer air aloft surging north too quickly and changing us to a mix for a longer time, rather than an earlier phase robbing the northern low of energy too quickly.

      Delete
    3. To add further, this isn't even a true transfer situation. With that you would see a primary low pressure over land that runs into blocking and spurs secondary cyclogenesis near or off the coast. In this case we have two strong lows set to meet each other somewhere southeast of us, with the stronger coastal low eventually absorbing the northern stream low rather than completely robbing it of its energy. The post Christmas storm was a true transfer scenario, but this is more of a January 2005 setup (I've actually read many opinions that January 2005 is a great analog for this storm).

      Delete
    4. That's a good point about an early transfer being better for snow this time. February 4-10th for some winter luv ftw.

      Delete
  61. Upping my prediction from yesterday I can definitely see 8-10 inches now for us as a possibility, but I'd still go with a 6-10.

    ReplyDelete
  62. noaa.gov for dummies ... enter your zip and see the snow...

    Areas like Irondequoit: 5-7 total
    " " Henrietta: 4-6 "
    " " Avon 3-5" with sleet

    Not being a downer -- just thought I'd pass this along.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're not being a downer, just realistic. I still think most of us will get to at least 6in. I'm also just being more optimistic today which I can afford to do since I'm not a meteorologist. Bring on the snow.

      Delete
    2. The point-and-click isn't a very good way to gather a precipitation forecast of any kind. It's automated and far from flawless, I've seen it both substantially overdo and underdo precip amounts several times in the past. Besides, those numbers are through mid afternoon on Friday, more snow is anticipated after that. Stick to the area forecast discussion, the zone forecast and the text from watches/warnings/advisories.

      Delete
    3. I agree. I read the discussions/watches/warnings, Scottie, and then check out the data for myself. Usually in that order. It is really anyone's guess as to exactly what the metro gets because WAA leading to more of a mix, and minor (note minor) lake enhancement are the unknown factors here aside from the timing of the energy transfer. We will see....

      Delete
  63. You know, it doesn't matter. It's all going to melt on Monday when it rains. Good bye snowmobiles for another month until it snows again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "You know, it doesn't matter."

      It does for our seasonal snowfall and the official snowfall records.

      "for another month until it snows again."

      I would bet the house and then some that it snows again between this storm and March 9th.

      Delete
  64. Latest GFS much farther east so this is now a done deal. 2-4 inches tops for Rochester.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You mean the coastal low is further east? Doesn't matter, our snow is coming from the northern stream low not the coastal. Total QPF isn't much different between the 12z and 0z GFS. Sorry, you lose.

      Delete
  65. I'd better not see any whining about a bust tomorrow morning, the snow isn't going to start in earnest until well after sunrise. This is a late morning to mid evening deal.

    ReplyDelete
  66. NWS 11am update still sticking with 8-12 for greater roc region.

    Andy

    ReplyDelete
  67. Dry Slot!! It will play a huge role in the amount of snow. Everyone seems to forget that with these types of storms.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The northern stream system won't have a dry slot.

      Delete
    2. Not a single word in the 1042AM NWS forecast discussion about dry slot for our region.

      Delete
  68. Latest data out and one of our favorite channels going with 111 inches by Saturday morning and get preparded to play King of the Hill. Boston 213 inches and the city is gone by Saturday evening.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Divide those numbers by 10 and they might actually be pretty close to reality lol.

      Delete
    2. Get out your snow clothes and get ready for a frankly fabulous flaky Friday!!!!!!!!!

      Delete
  69. I have a weather question for Scott and the team about this upcoming storm. I have seen chatter that if High Pressure builds in between the two lows, then they will not merge into a super storm off the coast. If this happens, does this mean way more snow totals for us?

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  70. John's new forecast is for 6-10 inches through 6pm tomorrow with an additional 2 to maybe 6 following that.

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  71. Other channels are sayin 12+ near the lake with lake enhancement.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And 1 inch in Avon and south...


      (just kidding, but it wouldn't surprise me)

      Delete
    2. I'd be very shocked if Avon only got one measly inch. More like 5-9.

      Delete
  72. Scott just tweeted that 8-12 inches is a solid forecast for this storm.

    ReplyDelete
  73. My how things have changed in just a few short days...

    Anonymous February 5, 2013 at 2:58 PM

    "Actually it would be even better if both of us were wrong and we got more than 10 [inches], but that's getting into pure delusional fantasy land."

    Anonymous February 6, 2013 at 6:43 AM

    "This...just..I don't even...

    http://forums.accuweather.com/index.php?act=attach&type=post&id=189166

    I would NOT count on this happening AT ALL. I will eat my left arm if we get that much snow out of this."

    A little boost from the lake and I'll be having Left Arm a la Blogger for dinner this weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Next week's storm is starting to look better and definitely worth watching.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. WHY do you have to tease me like that when we still have this storm to contend with? I was trying to keep my mind off of the V-Day potential until after the weekend but nooooo Jo-Sef had to open his big fat mouth >:(

      Really though late next week looks pretty interesting. But lets cross that bridge when we get to it.

      Delete
  75. This storm is a classic example of why "some people" who post here and say "no big storms in the next 10-14 days" are fools. This storm clearly illustrates how things can quickly evolve within a 2-5 day period. Yes it could be a bust for some (even us), but many will get something that wasn't even thought of 5 days ago.

    I'm just squeezing for mother nature to keep her statistic going. That is-- We've had 10 seasons since 1940 where we only had between upper 20" to lower 30" Nov-Dec, and February-March has answered back with more snow than the previous 3. On average 48% more snow.

    Andy

    ReplyDelete
  76. When do we think we will be getting an updated post from News 8 team?

    ReplyDelete
  77. I read that if Santa and his reindeer come between the two low pressure systems this would create a dry spot for us.

    ReplyDelete
  78. Hello Bloggers, Scott & I just had a great discussion about this upcoming storm tomorrow. We are both feeling quite confident that many, mainly around & north of the Thruway, including the Greater Rochester area will wake up to close to a foot or a bit more come Saturday morning. A little less will likely fall south of 90 due to more mixing, & possibly minor ice accretion. The bulk of the snow will likely fall during the late morning through Friday evening period, when snowfall rates could exceed an inch an hour at times. Also, a little bit of an icy mix is a distinct possibility, especially south of 90, but even a bit here in Rochester late tonight & Friday morning before weak storm near us begins to transfer it's energy to intensifying coastal (Nor'easter). Some blowing & drifting could also be an issue Friday night into Saturday. Scott will have another update with a new snowfall total map for the area a bit later this afternoon. Stay tuned everyone!

    Have a great night, & have the shovel & snow blower ready to roll!

    Best,
    John

    ReplyDelete
  79. The comedy geniuses on the AccuWeather forum are calling this storm "Fabsnowary" in the title of their thread about the storm XD certainly a lot better than "Nemo" which TWC is using.

    ReplyDelete
  80. How about calling it normal weather for February....

    ReplyDelete
  81. Is this snow going to be nice light fluffy snow, or back-breaking shoveling? My guess is the latter, but just curious.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mostly the dense wet variety that's tough to shovel, though whatever we get overnight should be less dense.

      Delete
  82. John are you thinking then there will not be aproblem for rush hour tomorrow morning with the timing of the snow? Also what is your best thought about between what hours the hardest snow fall?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Guess I'm the answer man while the experts are away. The morning rush hour should be just fine, it's the evening rush hour that will prove problematic. Can't say when exactly the heaviest snow will occur, but probably some time between 3pm and 9pm.

      Delete
  83. Yes, have your snowblower ready to troll!! Haha.

    ReplyDelete
  84. I might be wrong but I believe the amounts for us are on the high end. The key is for when that southern piece will become dominant. The earlier it does, the further west the storm will end up, the faster any warm air that could flood the New York and southern New England coastline shuts off, and the higher snow amounts will occur in the New York metropolitan area, central New York, and most of northern New England. Most of western New York will receive its greatest amounts if the northern piece of energy remains dominant longer. I do not see this happening. I see the southern storm becoming dominant faster than predicted, absorbing the northern clipper, and bombing out over the east coast. Far too East for Western NY to receive feet of snow. I say the most we will see time Saturday morning arrives is 4-6 inches.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Even once the northern energy gets absorbed it will leave behind enough moisture to keep it snowing here beyond nightfall. It's such a vigorous system that it will take awhile to be fully sucked into the coastal. Various model loops and simulated radar loops depict the moderate/heavy snows lingering here while the phasing occurs, which demonstrates that pretty well. If anything we want the phasing to occur a bit sooner, which would push the 0C isotherm southward sooner thus lowering the risk of mixing.

      Delete
    2. I understand, but if you look at current radar trends with the northern piece, it looks like it is starting to take a more northern path along the jet stream. Earlier predictions were saying that it would have more of southern approach below the jet stream resulting in more snow. If it continues to take a northern approach, I believe the snow amounts will be a lot less.

      Delete
    3. Doesn't really look much farther north to me. Even so, the majority of the precip is going to remain just to our north through the balance of tonight and that might be what you're seeing...a stream of precip aimed towards southern Ontario. Correct me if I'm wrong.

      Delete
    4. That is probably what I am seeing.

      Delete
    5. Also meteorologist Brett Anderson just tweeted that the trend for the northern low is a little more south, not north.

      Delete
  85. This is tricky but seems like Scott is certainly thinking higher numbers than he was last night.If he says that I am on board he does not just rush into big numbers.

    ReplyDelete
  86. The trend has been for higher.

    ReplyDelete
  87. scott im in hamlin been snowing since 7am or earlier hasnt let up we have over a ft right now at 4:20pm and its still coming down people are shoveling every hr its crazy

    ReplyDelete
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