Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Powerful Nor'easter poised to hammer Eastern U.S.

Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 4:23 PM GMT en Diciembre 18, 2009

An intense and very wet Nor'easter is gathering strength over the Gulf of Mexico, and stands poised to generate heavy snow and possible blizzard conditions tonight through Saturday from the Smoky Mountains to New England, including the major cities of Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City. The storm has already dumped up to three inches of snow in western North Carolina, and a foot or more of snow is likely over the mountains of North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. Flooding from the storms' heavy rains will be a problem in Mississippi and Alabama, where up to six inches have fallen (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Total rainfall from the Dec 18 - 19 Nor'easter, as estimated by Birmingham, Alabama radar.

Tornadoes threaten Florida
Severe thunderstorms capable of generating tornadoes have developed along the storm's cold front, which is advancing over Florida today. The Storm Prediction Center has placed most of Florida in its "Slight Risk" area for severe weather, and tornado warnings have already been issued for Homestead and Naples this morning, though no confirmed tornadoes have resulted from the warnings thus far. The threat of tornadoes will continue through mid-afternoon over Florida, then gradually decrease late this afternoon as the low-level winds align with the upper-level winds, creating less of the change of wind direction with height typically needed to create tornadoes.

You can track today's storm with our interactive tornado map and severe weather map.

Copenhagen
Our Climate Change expert, Dr. Ricky Rood, has left Copenhagen's COP15 climate change talks to resume his slightly saner life as a professor at the University of Michigan. His latest post, called The Party is Over: Copenhagen Devolved presents a fascinating look at what it was like to be at the conference, and what was (and was not) accomplished there. I'll be posting my own summary of the legacy of the Copenhagen talks early next week.

Jeff Masters

Ice Over Water... (JasonMac78)

..., or water over ice, whichever you prefer. In Abingdon,VA. We are under a winter storm warning in our area.

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601. AwakeInMaryland 3:43 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
Quoting adamjeeps: Pics, didn't link, whats the secret? hmmm, did you: copy the URL AFTER the http and diagonal lines... hit the blue "Link" link paste the URL Click on OK You might want to check in "preview" to see if your link works... then post. Hope that helps. I'm not exactly an expert. Member Since: Agosto 19, 2008 Posts: 32 Comments: 1918

602. AwakeInMaryland 3:47 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
Quoting AstroHurricane001: My friend is stuck in West Virginia right now on her way to Florida, and they can't drive because there's about two feet of snow on the ground. It also looks like some parts of the state are likely to get more than 2 inches per hour before the snow clears out. I'd like to ask, does WV have adequate snow removal services? Have no idea about WVa specifically. Budget cut-backs everywhere. Only our major roads have been cleared, and nobody's apologizing for that. Where are they? Are they on or can they get to '81, will it get them to where they want to go? There's plenty of hotels in Charles Town, WVa (raceway and slots). That looked like it was at least partially open. Member Since: Agosto 19, 2008 Posts: 32 Comments: 1918

603. adamjeeps 3:48 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
From Ruckersville, VA, just measured 20 inches on my deck.

604. AstroHurricane001 3:50 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
Quoting AwakeInMaryland: Have no idea about WVa specifically. Budget cut-backs everywhere. Only our major roads have been cleared, and nobody's apologizing for that. Where are they? Are they on or can they get to '81, will it get them to where they want to go? There's plenty of hotels in Charles Town, WVa (raceway and slots). That looked like it was at least partially open. Both Charles Town and Highway 81 appear to be in the far east of Virginia, is that the only slot that's been cleared of snow? It looks like that road will get them to Florida, but I have no idea what town they're in. Will check back after 12 EST. Member Since: Agosto 30, 2008 Posts: 8 Comments: 2811

605. tornadodude 3:52 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
Quoting adamjeeps: From Ruckersville, VA, just measured 20 inches on my deck. wow that looks amazing! Member Since: Junio 28, 2006 Posts: 22 Comments: 7816

606. adamjeeps 3:52 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
Quoting AstroHurricane001: My friend is stuck in West Virginia right now on her way to Florida, and they can't drive because there's about two feet of snow on the ground. It also looks like some parts of the state are likely to get more than 2 inches per hour before the snow clears out. I'd like to ask, does WV have adequate snow removal services? I lived in WV for several years and I believe their snow removal is top notch. I am sorry they are stuck but at the rate the snow has fallen there is little they can do. If you tell me where they are maybe I can give some info on where to stay.

607. VAbeachhurricanes 3:54 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
Quoting tornadodude: wow that looks amazing! haha that cars not going anywhere soon lol Member Since: Septiembre 6, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4797

608. AstroHurricane001 3:56 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
Quoting adamjeeps: I lived in WV for several years and I believe their snow removal is top notch. I am sorry they are stuck but at the rate the snow has fallen there is little they can do. If you tell me where they are maybe I can give some info on where to stay. They're most likely already in a hotel, waiting for the snow to be cleared. Looking at google maps, it looks likely that they took Highway 77 through West Virginia. Member Since: Agosto 30, 2008 Posts: 8 Comments: 2811

609. tornadodude 3:58 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
Quoting VAbeachhurricanes: haha that cars not going anywhere soon lol definitely not haha Member Since: Junio 28, 2006 Posts: 22 Comments: 7816

610. adamjeeps 4:00 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
Quoting VAbeachhurricanes: haha that cars not going anywhere soon lol No but my 4x4 Avalanche in the garage will be out playing soon!!! Pics of the snow will follow!

611. Bordonaro 4:01 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
Quoting VAbeachhurricanes: . Yes, your area will see wrap around moisture 2 to 4 inches! I am sorry you aren't getting slaughtered/hammered with snow, like everyone else!! Member Since: Agosto 25, 2009 Posts: 20 Comments: 6785

612. VAbeachhurricanes 4:01 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
wow winds have switched to out of the north and temps dropping like a rock... from 42 to 38 in less than an hour... Member Since: Septiembre 6, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4797

613. VAbeachhurricanes 4:02 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
Quoting Bordonaro: Yes, your area will see wrap around moisture 2 to 4 inches! I am sorry you aren't getting slaughtered/hammered with snow, like everyone else!! haha its ok :)as long as i see some! ill be ok. Member Since: Septiembre 6, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4797

614. EngineerJoe 4:05 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
Wow, WV 20" of white stuff... I miss the snow being from Michigan, the experts say this noreaster is on its way to CT.

615. Bordonaro 4:07 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
The L complex is reorganizing. Cold air is being dumped into the system. This will enhanse snowfall rates per hr. By early afternoon, expect pressure falls and expect incresing winds. Their is a Hurricane Wind Warning out off the E Coast. Winds will pick up during the course of the day! Be prepared for possible power outages. Member Since: Agosto 25, 2009 Posts: 20 Comments: 6785

616. VAbeachhurricanes 4:13 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
Quoting Bordonaro: The L complex is reorganizing. Cold air is being dumped into the system. This will enhanse snowfall rates per hr. By early afternoon, expect pressure falls and expect incresing winds. Their is a Hurricane Wind Warning out off the E Coast. Winds will pick up during the course of the day! Be prepared for possible power outages. so your saying it hasnt been the worst for me yet?? winds will get stronger? Member Since: Septiembre 6, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 4797

617. Bordonaro 4:13 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
NEW BLOG NEW BLOG NEW BLOG NEW BLOG NEW BLOG Member Since: Agosto 25, 2009 Posts: 20 Comments: 6785

618. Bordonaro 4:14 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
Expect wind gusts to 50MPH and up to 2-4" of snow through early Sunday Member Since: Agosto 25, 2009 Posts: 20 Comments: 6785

619. weatherbro 4:18 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
I have a strong hunch the next snowstorm is gonna get blocked from moving north so areas from the plains, the deep south(even the Gulf Coast), Southeast, and mid-Atlantic(if it bombs out the Northeast as well) watch out!!! Though modals have still not reached a consensus, at least the blocking now on top of Greenland will move well southwest by Tuesday(negating any storm systems next week from detouring up to Canada). Who knows, it may just cut through the middle of the country and exit the Carolina's/Virginia while still moving generally to the east. Member Since: Mayo 26, 2007 Posts: 47 Comments: 1154

620. Patrap 4:20 PM GMT en Diciembre 19, 2009
Jeff Masters has a NEW BLOG... pssst...come on over..LOL Member Since: Julio 3, 2005 Posts: 370 Comments: 111244

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