Calm, peaceful, falling snow

About 30 seconds of snow falling this morning. No one crashes through the porch, you won't see a cat squeezing herself into a tiny box, and no dash cam singing. Just calm, peaceful, falling snow. 

(If you receive Head in the Clouds postings by email, which don't transmit video images, you can see the video here.)

January 24, 2015

Beautiful snowy morning

Snow Morning, Amherst MA (1/24/2015)
Photo by S. Vardatira

Beautiful, snowy morning here in Amherst. And for a change, no freezing rain or ice! If you haven't shoveled yet, now is the time. Contrary to advanced warnings, what's fallen so far in Amherst is very fluffy and light snow (just shy of 6" here on the Amherst/Pelham border). So even though it's still coming down, it's easy to get ahead - and if precip gets heavier and wetter as this winds down in the next few hours, you'll be glad you took away this base.

Snow tomorrow, but no need to panic

Leaf on Ice, 1/22/2015 (N. Amherst MA)
Photo by S. Vardatira

If you've been watching weather forecasts, you may well be thinking "The Big One" is about to descend on us. So take a deep breath and remind yourself that everything you are hearing does NOT necessarily apply to Hampshire County. No, the timing of the tides will have absolutely no effect on us (unless you are on the Cape tomorrow), and we are not - at least by the current computer models - going to get walloped like the folks in the Worcester Hills. That being said, the computer models have not exactly been dependable for us this winter. How many forecasts for warm, balmy, rainy weather have actually turned out to be an entire day of freezing rain? So, once again, don't bet your snow shovels on this forecast. There's a high degree of uncertainty, which is somewhat unusual this close to the main event. In other words, be prepared for anything, but don't panic.

Right now, a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY has been issued for our area (western Hampden, Hampshire and eastern Franklin Counties), in effect from midnight tonight to 7 PM Saturday. Since yesterday, computer models have sped up the onset of precipitation and storm impacts to the entire region. In addition, models now have this weekend's system running slightly closer to the coast - meaning somewhat more snow here than predicted yesterday. But there is still a great deal of uncertainty on snow amounts and where the rain/snow/mix transition line of precipitation will be. 

Based on current model trends - and keep in mind that this could change in any direction - we are expected to get somewhere in the vicinity of 4-6" of snow. Snowfall amounts fall off quickly to our north and west (western Franklin County is currently expected to receive just 1-3" of snow). What makes our 4-6" amount interesting (and more annoying than you might imagine) is that snowfall will be heavy and wet, which will likely cause isolated pockets of tree and wire damage and power outages. So keep all that in mind as you plan for Saturday. And keep positive - so far, freezing rain has not entered into the mix of possibilities tomorrow. And I'll take it!

Snowstorm this weekend? Don't change your plans just yet...

Puffer's Pond "Skating Rink"
Taken by S. Vardatira, 1/20 (afternoon)

Yes, there's buzz all around about the potential for a snowstorm this weekend, but absolutely don't change your plans just yet. Computer models are all over the place on this one. The storm is a coastal one, which means it's all about the storm track. (Note to self: write spoof lyrics to "It's all about the bass.") Storm tracks slightly to the east and it decisively misses us. To the west, and we get something. But what? At this moment (and things could change, mind you) computer models are showing rain on the coast, with the risk of a narrow band of heavy, wet snow, most likely near and northwest of I-95 into the Worcester Hills and Eastern Connecticut. As for Western MA, the precipitation looks like it might drop off considerably (if not entirely) - in other words, we could very well get nothing at all.

Like I said, things could change if the storm track changes, but even if it were to come our way, this wouldn't be the fluffy snow of your dreams. I, for one, will do fine without heavy wet snow followed by zero-degree temps early next week. Really, it's enough of a skating rink around here already.

Will it or won't it snow-sleet-freezing-rain tomorrow?

Another tricky will-it-or-won't-it rain, snow, freezing rain for tomorrow morning (Sunday). Although yesterday's computer models were inching towards a repeat of the pattern we've been oh-so-enjoying (snow-sleet-freezing rain for hours), right now the models are converging in the direction of mostly rain. Tomorrow's set-up shows warming at all levels and temperatures quickly rising during the day.

Of course, there is that nagging caveat in the NWS area forecast discussion: "Can't rule out cold air trapped in some of the valleys of Western and Central Massachusetts." (And that would mean sleet and freezing rain, in case you weren't reading between the lines.)

So while all indications point to a rainy day tomorrow - and not freezing rain, don't bet the farm on that. And still, forecasts are predicting that precipitation will likely start out as snow or a rain/snow mix north of Hartford, quickly changing to rain by midday, and a significant amount at that (.75-1.5 inches in our area). After midnight on Sunday, winds will shift to westerly, bringing enough cold air to change the rain back to snow briefly before ending.

I'm not saying it won't go EXACTLY like that, but I'll believe it when I see it. And keep the salt/ice melt stuff handy just in case.

Moon at Twilight

Just added a new photo, taken by Head in the Clouds contributor Marian Wolfsun, to our "Through the Lens" page. Moon shots are always tricky to capture, but this photo beautifully evokes the waning day, crescent moon, and winter trees/sky. Thank you, Marian! (For more from Marian, check out our "Weather Cooks" page - she is almost entirely responsible for all the recipes found there.)

"Moon at Twilight" (Amherst, MA)
Photo by Marian Wolfsun, 12/25/2014

Windswept Snow, Icy Fields (Video)

Windswept, icy fields of shade tobacco farm in Hadley, Massachusetts. High winds (25-35 mph sustained) coupled with falling temperatures ahead of a cold front made for this stunning (albeit cold) scene. The force of the wind made it hard to hold the camera steady. 

Windswept Farm on Ice

Windswept shade tobacco farm in Hadley MA this afternoon. Yes, it's cold, with sub-zero wind chills - but there are amazing sights along the way (as long as you have shelter to retreat to).

Hadley MA, 1/7/2015 - Photo by S. Vardatira

Cold and Colder Yet to Come

And you think it's cold out now? By tomorrow evening, it gets truly cold. A WIND CHILL WATCH is currently in effect for our area from Wednesday evening through Thursday morning for wind chill readings as low as -25 to -30 F. By end of work on Wednesday, wind chills will be -15, and by Thursday at noon, wind chills will climb above -15. (In other words, it will still be cold on either side of the overnight.) The actual - not wind chill - temperature on Wednesday night will drop to -6 F.

Keep in mind that wind chill values near minus 25 degrees mean that frostbite is possible within 15 minutes.To protect yourself:
- Stay dry. Wet clothing results in much faster heat loss from your body. Wear waterproof insulated boots.
- Stay covered. Wear mittens or gloves and wear a hat. At least half of your body heat is lost if your head is not covered.
- Dress layered. Trapped air between loose fitting clothing helps to insulate.

Temperature Oddities and a Windy Day

The official weather sources have clearly been tripped up since yesterday. It's a science, yes, but the variables are endless. Which is how you can get an actual temperature reading of 37 F right alongside a forecasted high for the same day of 31 F. As of this moment (45 minutes after this screen shot was taken), the high has already dipped to 33 and will continue to fall. Aside from the morning's temperature oddities, we are currently under a WIND ADVISORY through 7 pm tonight for west winds of 20-30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Winds in that range typically bring down some small tree limbs and branches, and there may be isolated power outages. All of it leads to colder weather ahead. (And that forecast you can bank on!)

Encased in Ice (hoping you shoveled snow and chipped away ice earlier today)

All day's ice covered driveway, Amherst MA (1/4/2015)
Photo by S.Vardatira

Despite every weather forecast to the contrary, the temperature in Amherst today never nudged out of the 30s. So no, all that snowy icy stuff is probably NOT going to melt tonight. (If you cleared cars and driveways earlier, give yourself a pat on the back now - if you didn't, get out there and start shoveling/chipping. Now is your last chance!) The temp is supposed to nudge over 40 briefly in the next few hours, though, honestly, that seems unlikely with temps having dropped back to 32 currently. But even if the temp does hit 40 in the next hour, it won't be there long enough to transform the landscape. By morning, the mercury will start falling, and at that point temps will stay BELOW freezing at least through next Monday, January 12. And whatever doesn't melt of that one inch of rain-soaked snow, sleet and ice is going to turn into block ice by tomorrow night. Overnight Wednesday to Thursday, it will get extremely cold, dipping to about -2 F. Beware black ice tonight and tomorrow, as the road puddles freeze over.

In the meantime, it's worth pondering why computer models not infrequently overestimate the temperature rise here in the Valley in situations like the one we had today. On several occasions in recent years, winter predictions of a significant jump in temperature (forecasts for today had us going from about 30 F to 45-50 F in less than 6 hours) fizzle almost entirely in the face of extremely cold ground temperatures, continued overcast/rain, and snow on the ground just adding to the impenetrable cold. Whatever warm air moves in is just not enough to scoop out the cold air nestled in pockets across the Valley.

WINTER STORM WATCH (and a messy mix)

Snow accumulation map for Saturday night
(which does not show the .1" - .25" of ice accumulation on top of this)

WINTER STORM WATCH now in effect from Saturday at 4 pm through Sunday morning for Western and Central Massachusetts and the I-91 corridor, including Amherst. Conditions have evolved since yesterday to favor a quicker start to precipitation on Saturday along with more entrenched cold at the surface - so it's going to be more intense in terms of snow and ice accumulations than predicted even yesterday. Snow is expected to start falling around 4 pm and continue, heavy at times, until about midnight. Given our recent cold temperatures, snow will quickly stick, with roads becoming snow covered rapidly. We could even see a few inches by 7 pm. After midnight a warm front will begin to move into the region, but with the arctic airmass stubborn to move out at the surface, precipitation will fall as freezing rain and sleet. We are likely to get a decent coating of freezing rain on top of the snow (as much as a tenth to a quarter-inch of ice accretion is forecast). By Sunday morning it will all turn over to rain before another cold front moves back in by Sunday evening. Altogether we are expected to get:

• 2-5 inches of snow from early evening Saturday through about midnight (higher amounts at higher elevations)
• Freezing rain and sleet from midnight through early Sunday (ice accretion of .1" - .25" in Western MA)
• 1"-1.5" of rain on Sunday - and temps rising to the mid- to high 40s by midday.

True arctic air works in for Wednesday night and Thursday, with lows in the single digits here in Amherst and even some below zero readings at higher elevations across the region.

So get ready - you're going to need really warm outerwear by mid-week, and if it doesn't warm up fast enough for you on Sunday, you'll need salt/sand, blow torch (basically whatever you use to melt ice). Winter is here to stay for a while, Sunday's freakish rise in temperatures notwithstanding!

Weekend Storm Buzz (and what to expect in Amherst)

Frost on the Window, by S.Vardatira

No need to let you know that cold air is well in place over Amherst/Western MA right now. If you haven’t figured that out yet, there’s a good chance you’re spending New Year’s Day on a sunny beach somewhere well south of here. The big weather question on everyone else's mind is what exactly is coming our way Saturday night? Snow, ice, rain? Short answer – probably all of the above.

All the weather forecasts generally agree that moisture will begin to feed into Southern New England early Saturday night, and with our colder air in place, that moisture will start off mainly as snow as temperatures fall into the mid 20s to lower 30s early Saturday night. However, as winds veer to the Southeast/South overnight into Sunday morning, temperatures will rise steadily into the lower to mid-40s across the higher terrain of Western Massachusetts, even into the lower 50s around Amherst and the Valley. How quickly the cold air is scooped out of colder inland locations will determine just how much precipitation falls as snow, sleet and/or freezing rain before changing over to all rain. This can differ even across Amherst, where colder pockets (like the areas around Puffer’s Pond) can stay icy long after the rest of the town is simply wet and rainy. The current Saturday to Sunday snowfall estimates are for 1-3 inches before the precipitation turns over to sleet and/or freezing rain. Freezing rain is the thing to watch out for, of course, particularly if the warm air takes a while to work in at ground level.

As the low pressure system lifts to the northeast on Sunday, most forecasters are looking for cold air to wrap back in during Sunday afternoon. And after that, look for things to get even colder (hey, stop complaining – it’s January and we live in New England!). Monday will be a lot like today, temperature-wise, but by Wednesday and Thursday low temperatures drop into the single digits overnight.

Happy New Year!

May your outer and inner worlds be a source of beauty and inspiration all year round.