The big question after the big storm is: Will it stay around? I have some good news. I believe the answer to that question is YES.
For areas that got less than 6 inches, it’s going to be tough going until we can get more snow events in here. Areas that got more than 6”, and especially more than a foot, I think are going to make out very well and we look to have for only the second time in a decade: Snowmobiling during the Christmas season.
We got good cold to lock things up before the storm. We have good cold after the storm through tomorrow with temps below freezing during the day but very cold at night with many areas likely to go below zero tonight. It will give the snow a chance to compact and solidify some.
Yes we will jump above freezing briefly Sunday as our next weak system approaches with scattered snow showers.
Keep your eyes on Monday PM into Tuesday AM. A strong clipper is indicated on the upper air maps. We’ll have a better handle on it by Sunday, but there is potential for a bonus shot of snow everywhere Monday PM into Tuesday AM.
Next system to keep an eye on is Christmas Eve to Christmas Day. Another strong clipper system is indicated. I like the way this looks…. And I also like the temperature trends going into Christmas and beyond. Even if we don’t get a lot of snow, it will stay cold and the snow we have should not melt! Look at these 850mb anomalies on Christmas Day!
These clippers and the cold will be powered by a big ridge out in the Western US into Western Canada. While we don’t have a Greenland block or the Polar Vortex to work with, there is enough cold air in Canada and enough systems in the jet stream to where I have hope we’ll turn out OK.
Bottom Line – The temperatures are trending near to below normal for late December through the holidays. While I don’t see Nor’easters a plenty… or below zero nights by the bunch, I also don’t see a deep SW flow over Upstate NY or a huge SE Ridge over the Carolinas spelling doom to the new found snowpack. We hope this is the start to a great Christmas season and opportunities for riding. Many of you will have to explore areas of the Southern Tier, Catskills, and Capital Region to get good snow. Please support these clubs that usually don’t have this much snow or much traffic. Join the clubs! The clubs and the businesses in areas we don’t cover as much (mainly because of lack of sufficient snow cover) will appreciate your patronage over the holidays.
