We can still expect to see lowland snow tomorrow, and being closer in time, I have powerful additional forecasting tools to apply.
But before I do so, let me note that there was a magnificent auroral display last night, mostly behind the clouds, and during some openings, the sky was aflame.
Here is an image from North Kitsap, provided by weather cam maestro Greg Johnson of Skunk Bay Weather. Stunning.
This is late season for western Washington/Oregon snow and temperatures are marginal. But with sufficient precipitation intensity, melting and evaporation can drive the snow level down to the surface. The result: wet snow.
The latest forecasts are converging on around 2 inches near sea level, but as we will see, there will be considerable variability.
The feature of interest is a low center (and associated fronts) that is centered off the Oregon/Washington coast right now (see image). Right now some weak bands of precipitation are over land. Some light drizzle and snow showers.
That low center will drift to the northwest during the next 24 hr, associated with an approaching upper-level trough of low pressure. The sea level pressure map at 4 AM tomorrow (Tuesday) is shown to illustrate.
Now, let's examine the forecast model output.
The total snowfall (not snow depth) through 4 PM Tuesday from the uber-resolution UW model is shown below. Perhaps 2 inches in the central Sound, with less over the warmer water. Similar amounts over Bellingham and the San Juans. Less south of Seattle.
The European Center model, with far less resolution, has a fuzzier but similar forecast.
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If I have tried to communicate one idea in this blog, it is that forecasts have uncertainty and meteorologists must define this uncertainty and communicate it.
If only politicians, Covid-forecasters, and some local newspapers did the same.😆
A key tool for defining forecast uncertainty makes use of an ensemble of many, but plausible forecast simulations. The UW runs one of the best such ensembles in the nation and you can enjoy the fruits of this technology.
For example, here is the ensemble snow forecast for Seattle. Lines show different forecasts, with the black line being the average of all of them.
The snow revs up after 10 PM tonight (06/28), with considerable uncertainty. The average total snowfall is about 2 inches.
So plan for snow overnight into tomorrow morning. And with above-freezing temperatures, no ice should bond to the surface. And it will warm up tomorrow afternoon with onshore flow behind the low.
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To be fair, "covid forecasters" are dealing with MUCH longer windows of time. Those windows would render all but the grossest weather predictions almost completely worthless.
ReplyDeletePrediction...rain now which means any snow that does fall into a marginal cool enough ground will not stick to the roads and most will melt in grass...meaning maybe up to an inch...so might be nice to look at instead of rain ..not much else...either dump or bring on spring...
ReplyDelete"Covid-forecasters?" Not sure if putting public health professionals in the same ranks as politicians and lousy journalism is accurate, fair, or appropriate. Disappointed.
ReplyDeleteFine. Then please prove his analogy wrong. Use data and statistics to disprove his statement, rather then just emote with your feelings.
Delete🤣🤣 woke up to bare wet roads in bothell. What a "lowland snow event" for the ages
ReplyDeleteWell, you said these forecast were tough. What went wrong?
ReplyDeleteHahaha. Widespread snow event. Lol. these weather apps are awful. Auburn had zero snow.
ReplyDeleteIt appears that the EURO model was a bit too aggressive again. Any thoughts as to why this happens more often than not?
ReplyDeleteYesterday in lovely S. Everett...localized snow during the a.m. hours, totaling maybe 2"...Pretty to look at while it came down...and the roads just slightly affected--slippery in the evening! Those big flakes of wet snow are awesome, and they do not stick to much at ground level!...the perfect "snow globe" experience!
ReplyDelete