A Stormy End to February

And here we are at the threshold of another weekend. Storminess abounds today as a powerful low pressure system traverses the state. Since the low will be travelling directly overhead, this means a warm rainy scenario is in store for us. Sure, the cold air that has managed to settle over us the past few nights will be slow to move out and some spots in northwestern Connecticut mixed with snow and sleet for a time, but the warm air will not be denied. The main threats with this storm will be high winds and heavy rains. There is even a chance of an isolated thunderstorm or two as the low races across the state.

Incidentally, this storm will bring wonderful wintry weather to northern New England, with 6-12 inches of new powder falling across many of the ski areas. While we were getting buried in snow during January, northern sections have had somewhat of a snow drought – it’s been cold enough to make snow, yes, but nothing beats the natural stuff. The pattern has shifted the snowstorms northward, at least for now. 

As this storm system moves out, colder air will filter southward in its wake, and some snow squalls are possible for Saturday night and Sunday morning as a weak low passes to our south. No substantial accumulations, but just enough to remind everyone that it’s still winter.

The next storm in the series affects us Monday, and this one looks to be another rain maker. The primary low will ride northeastward up the Appalachians. We call this type of storm track a “lakes cutter” because the low inevitably tracks over or just southeast of the eastern Great Lakes. Once again, cold air overhead might allow some locations to start as snow or freezing rain Monday evening, but the precipitation quickly changes over to all rain everywhere as warm air once again overwhelms the cold. Strong winds and a possible thunderstorm cannot be ruled out either.

Cold air returns in the wake of this system, and there is a possibility of showers and flurries Wednesday. Fair and seasonably cooler then prevail through the first weekend in March.  

February will pass as a mere shadow of what January was weather-wise. March will not exactly make a sheepish entrance, but it will be calmer than most. Don’t be fooled by the tranquility, because although March heralds the arrival of spring, it can also hold some pretty wild surprises.