The Official 12/19/08 Storm Discussion Thread

[Greg]

Joke is getting stale...

Oh Lordy.... the cityfolk and flatlanders are massing and the predictions of Friday's impending doom.

 

[Glenn]

Interesting reading on NWS reagarding the forecast discussion. I read the local one and the one for VT. Both look promissing for some serious snow on Friday. They say the Sunday storm has potential as well. This weekend may deliver!

 

[loafer89]

Time to hoard the eggs and milk:


Winter Storm Watch

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGENATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TAUNTON MA307 PM EST WED DEC 17 2008...THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR HEAVY SNOW FRIDAY INTO FRIDAY NIGHT ESPECIALLYSOUTH OF THE MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE...CTZ002>004-MAZ002>024-026-NHZ011-012-015-RIZ001>008-180415-/O.NEW.KBOX.WS.A.0013.081219T1300Z-081220T0800Z/HARTFORD CT-TOLLAND CT-WINDHAM CT-WESTERN FRANKLIN MA-EASTERN FRANKLIN MA-NORTHERN WORCESTER MA-CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-WESTERN ESSEX MA-EASTERN ESSEX MA-WESTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-WESTERN NORFOLK MA-SOUTHEAST MIDDLESEX MA-SUFFOLK MA-EASTERN NORFOLK MA-NORTHERN BRISTOL MA-WESTERN PLYMOUTH MA-EASTERN PLYMOUTH MA-SOUTHERN BRISTOL MA-SOUTHERN PLYMOUTH MA-BARNSTABLE MA-DUKES MA-NANTUCKET MA-NORTHERN MIDDLESEX MA-CHESHIRE NH-EASTERN HILLSBOROUGH NH-WESTERN AND CENTRAL HILLSBOROUGH NH-NORTHWEST PROVIDENCE RI-SOUTHEAST PROVIDENCE RI-WESTERN KENT RI-EASTERN KENT RI-BRISTOL RI-WASHINGTON RI-NEWPORT RI-BLOCK ISLAND RI-INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...HARTFORD...WINDSOR LOCKS...UNION...VERNON...PUTNAM...WILLIMANTIC...CHARLEMONT...GREENFIELD...ORANGE...BARRE...FITCHBURG...FRAMINGHAM...LOWELL...LAWRENCE...GLOUCESTER...CHESTERFIELD...BLANDFORD...AMHERST...NORTHAMPTON...SPRINGFIELD...MILFORD...WORCESTER...FOXBORO...NORWOOD...CAMBRIDGE...BOSTON...QUINCY...TAUNTON...BROCKTON...PLYMOUTH...FALL RIVER...NEW BEDFORD...MATTAPOISETT...CHATHAM...FALMOUTH...PROVINCETOWN...VINEYARD HAVEN...NANTUCKET...AYER...JAFFREY...KEENE...MANCHESTER...NASHUA...PETERBOROUGH...WEARE...FOSTER...SMITHFIELD...PROVIDENCE...WEST GREENWICH...WARWICK...BRISTOL...NARRAGANSETT...WESTERLY...NEWPORT...BLOCK ISLAND307 PM EST WED DEC 17 2008...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATEFRIDAY NIGHT...THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORMWATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATEFRIDAY NIGHT.THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND.SNOW IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP FROM WEST TO EAST BETWEEN 8 AM AND NOONON FRIDAY. THE SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BECOME HEAVY DURING THEAFTERNOON...WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR SNOWFALL RATES OF 1 TO 2 INCHESPER HOUR. THE FRIDAY EVENING RUSH HOUR MAY BE QUITE MESSY WITH HEAVYSNOW STILL FALLING. THE SNOW SHOULD TAPER TO SNOW SHOWERS ACROSS THEINTERIOR DURING THE EVENING HOURS...BUT THE STEADY SNOW WILL LIKELYCONTINUE ALONG THE COAST WELL INTO THE NIGHT.AT THIS TIME...IT APPEARS THAT THE HEAVIEST SNOW WILL FALL SOUTH OFTHE MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE AND PARTICULARLY ON THE SOUTH COAST. THEPOTENTIAL DOES EXIST FOR SOME LOCATIONS TO SEE UP TO A FOOT OFSNOW...WITH THE HIGHEST PROBABILITY ALONG THE SOUTH COAST.IN ADDITION...STRONG WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP ON THE COAST LATEFRIDAY AFTERNOON AND CONTINUE INTO THE NIGHT. THIS MAY RESULT IN NEARZERO VISIBILITIES AT TIMES ALONG WITH BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW. THESTRONGEST WINDS ARE EXPECTED ON THE CAPE AND ISLANDS.THIS EVENT IS STILL 36 TO 48 HOURS SO THIS IS NOT SET IN STONE. IFTHE SYSTEM TRACKS A BIT FURTHER SOUTH THAN EXPECTED...SNOWFALLAMOUNTS MAY BE LESS THAN CURRENTLY ADVERTISED. IF THE SYSTEM TRACKSA BIT FURTHER NORTH THAN EXPECTED...THE PRECIPITATION MAY MIX WITH ORCHANGE TO SLEET AND RAIN FOR A TIME ACROSS THE CAPE AND ISLANDS WHICHWOULD CUT DOWN ON ACCUMULATIONS.A WINTER STORM WATCH IS ISSUED FOR THE POTENTIAL OF ACCUMULATINGSNOW OF 6 OR MORE INCHES IN A 12 HOUR PERIOD...OR 8 OR MOREINCHES IN A 24 HOUR PERIOD. ANYONE TRAVELING IN THE NEXT 24 TO36 HOURS SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO MODIFYTRAVEL PLANS SHOULD WINTER WEATHER DEVELOP.

 

[billski]

I know Greg does not like my flatlander jokes or me, but couldn't help myself.

:flame:Shoot me now, put me out of misery.

 

[Grassi21]

:lol:

 

[Greg]

Albany issued one too:

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ALBANY NY
319 PM EST WED DEC 17 2008


CTZ001-013-MAZ001-025-NYZ032-033-038>043-047>054-058>061-063>066-
082>084-VTZ013>015-181015-
/O.NEW.KALY.WS.A.0013.081219T1300Z-081220T0900Z/
NORTHERN LITCHFIELD-SOUTHERN LITCHFIELD-NORTHERN BERKSHIRE-
SOUTHERN BERKSHIRE-NORTHERN HERKIMER-HAMILTON-SOUTHERN HERKIMER-
SOUTHERN FULTON-MONTGOMERY-NORTHERN SARATOGA-NORTHERN WARREN-
NORTHERN WASHINGTON-SCHOHARIE-WESTERN SCHENECTADY-
EASTERN SCHENECTADY-SOUTHERN SARATOGA-WESTERN ALBANY-
EASTERN ALBANY-WESTERN RENSSELAER-EASTERN RENSSELAER-
WESTERN GREENE-EASTERN GREENE-WESTERN COLUMBIA-EASTERN COLUMBIA-
WESTERN ULSTER-EASTERN ULSTER-WESTERN DUTCHESS-EASTERN DUTCHESS-
NORTHERN FULTON-SOUTHEAST WARREN-SOUTHERN WASHINGTON-BENNINGTON-
WESTERN WINDHAM-EASTERN WINDHAM-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...TORRINGTON...OAKVILLE...NEW MILFORD...
TERRYVILLE...PITTSFIELD...NORTH ADAMS...GREAT BARRINGTON...LEE...
LENOX...HOUSATONIC...ATWELL...BIG MOOSE...EAGLE BAY...MCKEEVER...
NOBLEBORO...NORTHWOOD...OLD FORGE...SPECULATOR...ILION...
HERKIMER...LITTLE FALLS...MOHAWK...FRANKFORT...DOLGEVILLE...
GLOVERSVILLE...JOHNSTOWN...AMSTERDAM...WELLSVILLE...
SARATOGA SPRINGS...WARRENSBURG...WHITEHALL...GRANVILLE...
COBLESKILL...MIDDLEBURGH...DELANSON...ESPERANCE...DUANESBURG...
SCHENECTADY...ROTTERDAM...BALLSTON SPA...MECHANICVILLE...
WATERFORD...ALTAMONT...ALBANY...TROY...HOOSICK FALLS...HUNTER...
TANNERSVILLE...WINDHAM...CATSKILL...COXSACKIE...ATHENS...CAIRO...
JEFFERSON HEIGHTS...HUDSON...CHATHAM...SUNDOWN...ELLENVILLE...
WOODSTOCK...WEST HURLEY...KERHONKSON...NAPANOCH...PHOENICIA...
KINGSTON...NEW PALTZ...POUGHKEEPSIE...BEACON...ARLINGTON...
PAWLING...DOVER PLAINS...MILLBROOK...PINE PLAINS...AMENIA...
MILLERTON...NORTHVILLE...MAYFIELD...GLENS FALLS...
WEST GLENS FALLS...HUDSON FALLS...FORT EDWARD...CAMBRIDGE...
GREENWICH...BENNINGTON...JACKSONVILLE...NEWFANE...BRATTLEBORO...
WEST BRATTLEBORO...BELLOWS FALLS
319 PM EST WED DEC 17 2008

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE
FRIDAY NIGHT...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN ALBANY HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE
FRIDAY NIGHT.

HEAVY SNOW MAY FALL ACROSS ALL OF EAST CENTRAL NEW YORK AND
ADJACENT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT. SNOW IS
EXPECTED TO BEGIN ACROSS THE REGION ON FRIDAY BETWEEN SUNRISE AND
MIDDAY...AND COULD BE HEAVY AT TIMES FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
LIGHT SNOW MAY PERSIST THROUGH THE REST OF FRIDAY NIGHT.

THIS STORM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PRODUCE 7 TO 14 INCHES OF SNOW
ACROSS THE REGION. AT THIS POINT IT APPEARS THE HEAVIEST SNOW WILL
FALL ACROSS THE SCHOHARIE VALLEY...THE CAPITAL DISTRICT... EASTERN
CATSKILLS...MID HUDSON VALLEY...SOUTHERN VERMONT...BERKSHIRE
COUNTY AND LITCHFIELD COUNTY.

SNOW MAY FALL AT THE RATE OF ONE TO TWO INCHES PER HOUR FRIDAY
AFTERNOON...WHICH WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT THE FRIDAY EVENING
COMMUTE.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR
THE LATEST FORECASTS.

 

[loafer89]

I am thinking we might get a few turns in at Wachusett or Ski Ward, but probably not further than that with another snowstorm bearing down for sunday.

 

[The Sneak]

Only thing that sucks about Wa is that I will be there for first chair, eager to harvest a foot of pow...but it will all have been neatly groomed into corduroy

 

[WJenness]

Only thing that sucks about Wa is that I will be there for first chair, eager to harvest a foot of pow...but it will all have been neatly groomed into corduroy

More like won't have fallen yet.

It isn't supposed to start until Friday morning.

But most of the time, yes, you're right...

-w

 

[SnowRider]

Man Christmas Break is going to be sweet. Snow, concerts, parties, snowboarding...can't wait.

 

[gmcunni]

loving it:

 

[Zand]

Only thing that sucks about Wa is that I will be there for first chair, eager to harvest a foot of pow...but it will all have been neatly groomed into corduroy

They usually let Smith go ungroomed for a couple days following a snow event, but unfortunately, it's not open yet. If we dream enough maybe they'll open it on all natural Monday after the next 2 storms.

 

[MichaelJ]

If this storm could just wait a few hours ... we're leaving midafternoon to drive from Boston to Sugarloaf on Friday. I'd really like it to be a 4-hour drive, not a 9-hour epic!!!
This may be the first time I've ever been relieved that it will be a coastal storm.

 

[davidhowland14]

loving it:

yeah, the forecast for waitsfield looks about the same :smile::smile::smile::smile:

 

[ctenidae]

Looks like I'm taking the train to Boston on Friday. No way I'm driving from Stamford in that.
Downside is, without the car with racks, it's going to be tough getting the skis back down here for Christmas/New Years time frames. Organizing, organizing...

Anywhoo, I do like seeing this series of storms coming through. Aside from the snow, the NOAA forecast discussions are always entertaining reading.

 

[RootDKJ]

Is it time to upgrade this thread yet or is that the kiss of death?

 

[davidhowland14]

Looks like I'm taking the train to Boston on Friday. No way I'm driving from Stamford in that.
Downside is, without the car with racks, it's going to be tough getting the skis back down here for Christmas/New Years time frames. Organizing, organizing...

Anywhoo, I do like seeing this series of storms coming through. Aside from the snow, the NOAA forecast discussions are always entertaining reading.

Yeah, I'm a little worried about driving to new bedford friday night, too...we'll see. And the drive north on sunday should be hairy. but worth it. oh well, one way to learn is to experience.

 

[2knees]

oh the irony.

i bet Blue Hills ends up the winner.

some of the latest predictions have it sliding a bit further southeast.

 

[JD]

Prime time for Mass. Back Country. If I had a day I would be hitting the Thunderbolt for sure. Been wanting to catch that with good snow for years...

 

[riverc0il]

Prime time for Mass. Back Country. If I had a day I would be hitting the Thunderbolt for sure. Been wanting to catch that with good snow for years...

Check out T4T for the latest report on the ice damage before you go. Sounds pretty bad... probably still skiable though. Bellows is reported as a no go for this season.