Moisture from the mostly stalled and weakening low pressure area in the Canadian Maritimes pivoted west of Vermont early on Friday and sunshine made an appearance albeit sporadically. Some of the snow showers dotting New York state Friday will rotate back into the Vermont high country Friday evening and night and bring a fresh 1-3 inches for first tracks Saturday. It's indicated to dry out a bit during the ski day Saturday and the sun could once again make an occasional appearance. As this is happening, the stalled and weakening low pressure area in the Maritimes will receive an influx of Atlantic moisture. Some of this will rotate into northern New England via Canada and is expected to produce a steadier version of snowfall Saturday evening and night. This all makes Sunday look even better right now with an additional 2-5 inches expected by Sunday first tracks as snow continues to fall through the early morning. Temperatures will remain quite steady ranging between the low 20's to about 30 throughout.
Though our upcoming Monday will not feature any additional snowfall, the rest of the week has intrigue. An influx of subtropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, an amplifying jet stream and blocking in the jet stream across the Labrador Sea are all ingredients for all sorts of fun and games including the continued possibility for a big storm. For the time being, models have seemingly put the kibosh on the big storm idea; instead, showing a flatter, less robust system moving off the Mid Atlantic Coast Monday night. The jet being rather log jammed downstream of us makes it unwise to completely dismiss a larger east coast event but even without it, respectable snowfall is likely across Vermont during the middle of the week. Assuming the storm is well out to sea (no guarantee), the downstream blocking will still cause the storm to get held up again across the Maritimes with low pressure extending itself backward toward much of New England. Without the influence of a strong, dry area of arctic high pressure, the gates are open for moisture and snowfall, especially over the high country on Tuesday, Wednesday and even Thursday. One way or another, this seems like an excellent opportunity for the mountains to over perform, even if the sun is shinning on valley locations. Furthermore, I would not eliminate the possibility of a bigger storm, at least not yet.
Temperatures throughout next week will stay below freezing extending the stretch of sub-freezing temperatures to around 10 days which isn't too bad for March. The aforementioned blocking in the Labrador Sea will break down however and will allow warmer temperatures to move northward for St Patrick's Day. Hard to get to specific on temperatures this far out, but a warm push in mid-March can easily get the corn horn blown and produce 50 and even 60 degree readings. Some sort of storm is indicated to arrive just after the warm air and we could be dealing with a period of wet weather as a result. As this is happening however, the weather pattern seems intent on delivering another round of cold and wintry weather that may persist through the end of March. It comes thanks to the re emergence of a negative NAO and what appears to be a very relaxed jet stream in the Pacific. Whether this colder push arrives in time to salvage some of the potential storm in the March 18th-19th period remains to be seen. Either way, the March comeback lives and will live on !
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