Thursday, December 5, 2013

Schuylkill County Afternoon Weather Update

By:  Monsoon Mike

I talk about "hype" a lot from the conventional weather media. This coming Friday night/early Saturday's event, however, is a bit unique because the excitement for a snow event is coming more from the independent internet folks rather than the conventional media who usually does all the hyping. Maybe because sweeps month is done on TV?

 No reason to hype anymore? Either way, I personally think they are a bit underestimating the potential 'surprise' that some folks could wake up to Saturday morning. I also, however, don't see 2 to 4 inches in the valleys like some sources are saying (unless you are in elevation). I am going to go with a call of "middle ground." Most media outlets are saying rain Friday "perhaps changing to a bit of wet snow or sleet at the tail end with little or no accumulation." And while I do think that's accurate for folks south of I-78, folks north of I-78 could actually squeeze a slushy inch or two of snow out of this, yes, mainly on grassy surfaces given the warmth today, but some on untreated roads possible as well. For now, let's talk about today. It's unseasonally warm, however I think today could set up one of those "location location location" situations where if you're north of I-78, you could be stuck in the 50s. If you're well south of I-78, however, and ESPECIALLY if you're near Lancaster/Philly/South Jersey, get ready to soar deep into the 60s. North of I-78, a good blanket of fog and drizzle is over the area and that may be tough to burn off. A steadier rain them moves in later tonight and tomorrow as our strong cold front passes and then temperatures slip and slip and slip all throughout the day tomorrow, ending essentially in that potentially wintry weather tomorrow night/early Saturday. Our attention then turns to our late Sunday/early Monday event, but *sigh*, let's take it one storm at a time.

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