Updated modeled snow depths for 12/12/2017 from NOHRSC.
As expected, the low pressure system from last week gave us a start to this winter! The Northeast currently has a snow cover of 1-10 inches, while Maine is fully covered in snow with 4-10 inches enabling you to get outside. For those of you near the Great Lakes, lake effect is in full force with select areas getting a welcome addition of heavier snow totals. As of Tuesday night, many areas in the northeast are still receiving precipitation. Along the coast, the precipitation is predominantly rain, but the inland is receiving snow.
The Midwest received snow as well. Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan also received snow from the system with snow depths ranging from 10 inches in the north to minimal amounts in the south. As you may have heard, southern states received snow last week. From Texas, east to the Atlantic, temperatures fell enough for their precipitation to turn into snow. Not much of this snow is left… as the temperature rose most of it melted. Alabama, Georgia, and North Carolina on the other hand, are still have some left on the ground.
The West hasn’t seen any recent snow fall due to the large-scale pattern. While areas of higher elevation continue to have higher snow depths, there were no major additions to the snowpack. Unfortunately, Montana, western North Dakota, Wyoming, and South Dakota lost their snow cover due to the warmer temperatures over the weekend.
12/12/2017 6PM GFS Model Run. Source: NOAA.
Forecast
The recent low pressure system in the east is forecasted to move northeast into Canada. While no large-scale systems are predicted for the west due to a large atmospheric ridge, conditions should be more conducive for localized snow at elevation. Farther east, forecasts are more optimistic for snow. A clipper system will impact areas from NW Minnesota into the Northeast. Further, lake effect snow should continue for areas near the Great Lakes.
Forecasted Snow Totals
12/12/2017 GFS model Forecast for snowfall accumulation for 7 days out. Source Harris WeatherCasterTM.
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