"Storm" for Friday 12/16/05

The arctic blast continues here in Albany, NY. Here at my house in Colonie, we started out at a balmy +1 degree this morning. We're all the way up to 14 degrees right now. Whew.

I have been sifting through the latest computer models and they have been conistent in one regard. That is that the precipitation that is going to fall is going to be messy and mixed across the area. As low pressure transitions to a new secondary storm over central New Jersey, a slow transfer of energy occurs. This slow transfer either causes the heavier precipitation to be shunted well east of our area or causes us to get dry slotted. Either way, the models do not show whopping amounts of precipitation. Also, because of the track of the storm so far inland (along a Philly to Newark, NJ line), the winds off the ocean bring in enough warm air aloft (4000-6000 feet) to change to precip over from snow to sleet.

As a result, I can see the storm giving the tri-cities area a 1/2 to 1" of snow by 7am Friday morning, followed by a transtion to sleet for much of the morning. If another 1/2 to 1" of sleet falls we will be lucky. Total accumulations should be about 1-2" during the day Friday. While there may be some school delays (likely), I highly doubt that school will be cancelled. That is, of course, unless administrators are in the holiday gift giving mood. As always, your comments are welcome.