Snow, Noon update: Totals tweaked, timetable pushed back
Generally, 6 to 12 now expected, most of it after dark.
Snow, Noon update: Totals tweaked, timetable pushed back
This already peculiar storm still has 24 to 36 hours to go, but based on what it has seen so far, the National Weather Service is bumping down the overall forecast snow totals.
Instead of 8 to 16 across the region, it's going with 6 to 12, and the best news is that the afternoon commute shouldn't be all that bad. It looks as though the roads will stay wet, and most of the snow in the immediate Philadelphia area will hold off until well after dark. Here is the latest forecast map.
The decision to lower the projected totals was based on a number of factors, says Joe Miketta, a meteorologist in the Mount Holly office. The snow has persisted in a cone-shaped swath radiating outward from near Atlantic City to upstate New York. To the northeast, it's raining in New England.
You can get an idea of the extent of the snow in this Intellicast radar image.
The snow has stopped in western Chester County and throughout just about all of Delaware. Meanwhile, in some of the places where it's been snowing steadily, such as Trenton, the temperatures have remained stubbornly above freezing.
That's discouraged the snow from sticking. Plus, the water content of the flakes is so high that it is inhibiting accumulations.
Miketta said that to the south and west of the city, little additional snow would fall the rest of the day. Just to the north, the total daytime totals should be in the 2- to 4-inch range.
The storm will get cranking in earnest tonight. A wind advisory for gusts up to 50 m.p.h. is in effect from 4 p.m.today until 1 p.m. tomorrow.
But the strongest winds and heaviest snows may hold off until the overnight hours, said Miketta.
Keep in mind that 6 to 12 inches is still a significant amount of snow, and it may be falling heavily during the peak wind period. Some areas might even experience blizzard conditions before this all winds down sometime tomorrow.
Snow biggie!
It's 1:30pm, no snow on the ground. Why the hell are schools closed? are we expecting a foot in the next 2 hours???— Opined_and_Fined- Snow what?! Snow what I mean? I don't snow what the big deal is. Snowbody is panicking. But some people just stay home and go snowhere. They should learn to "Just Say Snow" to the forecasters!— Tacklebury
- I got off this afternoon from my one teaching job and I have no idea why. I was able to drive out to the far 'burbs to teach this morning and the roads look perfectly fine. Way to hype up a storm to increase fear and paranoia - I blame Glenn Schwartz.— catnameddomino
- I love how there's a poll on how much snow we'll get. Isn't that what these people get paid to tell us?? I wonder if Glenn Schwartz is casting his vote, since his guess is as good as mine. Can we run this guy out of town like we did Bolaris?? Clearly the Schwartz is not with him.— Tacklebury
tv newspeople and management feed off of this stuff. I think they know they are gambling every time they make these crazy predictions. They need for us to be in fear so we'll watch the news. I have no doubt we will see snow on the ground before the event is over, but I am sooooo sick and tired of the TV weatherpeople hyping everything up as much as they do.- teachers muist have needed another day off......hope they have used up ther snow days so they have to go longer and as usual teach nothing (watch videos) in those last days......Way to go Educators— nuggett
- I see a meteorologist conspiracy -- these "madoff" weather folks must be working for the Supermarket Lobby. More french toast and milk anyone?
- I see a meteorologist conspiracy -- these "madoff" weather folks must be working for the Supermarket Lobby. More french toast and milk anyone?
Comment removed.- Most educators I know are annoyed with having today and probably tomorrow off. The school districts are cutting into spring break time, which many teachers already made plans for. And I have no idea why schools are closed today. It is two in the afternoon and there is still no snow on the ground.— AreaMan
- I think Schwartz is the only one willing to concede this storm won't hit us as badly as thought (hoped?. The past few snow events have all hit harder up north, as opposed to the biggies that seemed to do more south. Perhaps it's a pattern?— andrew69
- The National Weather Service has stated that Accuweather's forecast of this storm was irresponsible bordering on inciting a panic.— Poge Mahone
- Hey nuggett, Teachers don't get to decide if school is closed or open, we're just employees of the school district. Can't help if the administration is ill-informed.— jflutton
- Headline: Philly to receive an 8-incher. Expect another load of white on the ground.— pic man
Tony Wood has been writing about the atmosphere for The Inquirer for 26 years. E-mail Tony here. And read all his columns here.
