Icy, Snowy Apocalypse Watch
Update Friday morning: the updated forecast now says "total daytime snow accumulation of 8 to 12 inches possible" (and the ISAM updated accordingly). Apparently the colder air mass tracked farther south than expected. What this means for the breakdown of snow/wet snow/sleet/rain still seems uncertain. But the best guess appears to be pointing toward more snow than rain now. Shovels at the ready.
____
With March just around the bend, the Icy, Snowy Apocalypse Meter was already thinking about retiring to the barn for the season. But it's cranked up yet again. (sigh)
Here's the (paraphrased) forecast:
Thursday night: Some snow, but not much. Warm. Lows around freezing.
Friday morning: Snow and sleet -- "messy" and "heavy at times" (1-2 inches per hour).
Friday midday: Here's the tricky part. If temps rise as expected, it should switch to sleet/freezing rain/rain around noon. But the predicted precipitation changeover point is right around Albany. So we could get a fair amount of rain -- or a lot of snow (the forecast discussion says 6-12 inches are possible). As of Thursday evening, the signs were pointing toward 2-6 inches of snow in the Capital Region, with more to the north of Albany and less to the south.
Friday afternoon: The precipitation -- in whatever form -- is expected to slow. But reading between the lines, it just seems like they're guessing. Also: there's a chance of thunder to the south of Albany.
Friday night: More precipitation. And really windy, with gusts as high as 50 mph.
Saturday: Some sun. Colder. Highs in the mid-20s.
Sunday Cloudy. Chance of snow.
Monday: Warmer. Chance of freezing rain.
So whichever way this goes, it sounds like it will be sloppy and messy. Wear your boots.
Necessary note: You should take this all with an enormous bag of rock salt. AOA has absolutely no weather forecasting expertise. At all. That said, the world will probably not end because of some snow. Most likely.
Say Something!
We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.
Comments
If nothing else, at this time of year, we can start being optimistic -- sure, it's another crappy day, but it might be the last one! (Maybe. Perhaps. I know, sometimes it snows in May. Still.)
... said MH on Feb 24, 2011 at 7:32 PM | link
good call on the meter upgrade.
... said cantcashmatt on Feb 25, 2011 at 8:22 AM | link
The fact that winter is making an effort is annoying.
... said Paul C. on Feb 25, 2011 at 9:47 AM | link
Love the meter.
... said aly on Feb 25, 2011 at 10:32 AM | link
Looking out the office window at the Schenectady intersections surrounding Nott Terrace and State St. is a never ending source of entertainment this morning.
Readily apparent who the haves and have-nots are in the traction category. Cars and trucks sliding all over the place...kiss of death is coming to a complete stop if you are headed east (uphill toward Albany). Stop, and you are doomed to Spin City.
Schenectady jaywalkers are out in full force, strolling in middle of all streets, only adding to the tension.
... said Terry on Feb 25, 2011 at 10:51 AM | link