THEWEATHERMOGIL:: Spring has arrived or has it?
During the past few days, many forecasters focused on the potential for a significant snowstorm across parts of southeastern New England. Right now, it appears that mostly light snow will affect that area, with heavier amounts further north along coastal Maine. In the storm’s wake, milder air will quickly return to the region.
However, the real Spring news involves the development of a northern tier storm track (Fig. 1) and yo-yo weather across the southern Plains. Severe weather potential, however, appears to be limited during the next few weeks.
NOTE: As with any outlook spanning a two-week period, weather conditions and patterns can shift for many reasons. Always monitor the latest short-period forecasts.
A series of storm systems is expected to develop across the western High Plains and race toward the St. Lawrence River Valley in eastern Canada. Depending upon the track, these storms will bring a swath of snow to their north. Right now, Wisconsin, Michigan and parts of Iowa, Minnesota and Illinois seem to be in the target zone. Some places in Wisconsin could get a lot of Spring snow!
In addition to the storms, an arctic cold front is expected to move southward from Canada and stall just south of Wisconsin toward the end of the month. This could set up a multi-day overrunning snow event for the area.
The same arctic front may disrupt the otherwise warm, dry and windy pattern (one that favors a high fire danger) across the Central and Southern Plains. Instead, a snow event (along with some potential for freezing rain), could stretch from Colorado across the Plains states. This could become a cruel April Fool’s day joke for many.
Otherwise, California’s wet El Nino period could be over, as a strong upper level ridge persists along the West Coast.
© 2016 H. Michael Mogil
Originally posted 3/21/16