2011 arrives with rain but favorable pattern re-emerges quickly thereafter

The thaw is underway across Vermont and many thaws in Vermont end badly for the ski hounds as rain can often highlight the grand finale of any warm spell. This will be no exception as rain seems intent on making an appearance with very late New Years Day or very early on the second. Until then it will be mainly dry with temperatures New Years Day climbing into the 40's. The rain will not be overwhelming with the consensus of information indicating about a quarter of an inch by first tracks time on the 2nd. Temperatures will be on the balmy side early Sunday but gradually turn colder and fall below the freezing mark again (after a 24-hour stint above freezing) by late morning Sunday. Snow showers and flurries are expected Sunday night into Monday but layer of instability does not look impressive and terrain induced snow amounts late Sunday into Monday will be in the 1-2 inch range if that.

As mentioned in the last post, another and very similar looking blocking pattern will emerge. The first chance for a "fluff up" comes late Tuesday into Wednesday from a clipper system that will pass through the Great Lakes and into the Northeast. The clipper could bring a few inches of snow to the mountain before reinforcing the winter-like temps for later in the week. A more significant storm late in the week may have our attention or may pass innocently to our south or not come together at all. Models have been a little skiddish so far on this hypothetical event but we could certainly use a big powder event going into the weekend of the 8th and 9th. More about that on Sunday. Until then have a Happy New Year and please be safe.