Incoming Storm Could Drop 6 to 18 Inches of Snow

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch that is forecast to bring 6 to 12 inches of snow to the region.  

Personally, I believe that is too low, and that 8 to 18 inches would be more likely, as some models show this storm rapidly winding up once it hits the ocean.  My forecast right now is around 10 inches of snow for the region, similar to the one we had in December. However, this storm will be farther north than the December one, so that is what leads me to believe we may get more snow.  It will most likely be all snow with a high temperature of 33 degrees on Wednesday, but some models show a slight chance of some rain mixing in.  

This would only happen if the storm moved directly overhead, in which case we would be blasted by so much snow the rain would have a minimal effect.  But that looks unlikely, as only a few random models show any precipitation falling other than snow.  The snow looks to start early Wednesday morning, between 2 and 5 a.m. It would get a little heavier by around 8 a.m., and by noon near blizzard conditions are possible.  They would persist throughout the day with moderate snow and very gust winds.  Even with temperatures in the 30s it will be very chilly with the wind chill.  

There will be a lot of drifting snow, so some snow banks could drift to 2 or 3 feet, so be very careful as white-out conditions and large snow banks are possible on Wednesday, mainly in the afternoon.  The snow will wind down Wednesday night, and end between midnight and 3 a.m. it would seem, and the sun may come out by Thursday morning.  

If the forecast is accurate, it would appear schools will close all day Wednesday, and the question lies whether the roads are cleared in time for school on Thursday.  If not, a delay might be possible, or even another snow day if we get a foot or more of snow, as it will continue Wednesday night.  If you do not have to, please do not drive Wednesday or Thursday, as both days the roads will be very bad.  

Here is the NWS Winter Storm Watch warning:  

The National Weather Service is calling for significant snowfall Tuesday night into Wednesday night and has issued a Winter Storm Watch during that time.The potential for 6 to 12 inches of snow is possible, although higher amounts are expected.As the storm intensifies, east to northeast winds will become strong and gusty during the day on Wednesday.This could cause blowing and drifting of snow, with near blizzard conditions possible.

Editor's Note: Jacob Meisel is a 9th-grader at Staples High School who maintains a blog about Westport weather.  His forecasts are based off scientific models from the National Weather Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Accuweather and Penn State University weather models. 

To read more about him, click here.

To read his blog, click  here.