Leading Edge Of Oncoming Storm Is Snowy

Snow accumulating in Red Hook, New York this morning. 

That well-anticipated storm system was spreading precipitation into New York and southwestern New England this morning, and some of that precipitation is snow. 

Snow was pretty widespread in central New York and Connecticut at mid-morning, and as the storm pushes east and north, other areas of New England, including much of Vermont, could get a burst of snow at the onset of the storm.

A high pressure system in southeastern Canada pushed cold, dry air into the Northeast. The weak sun is pushing temperatures above freezing ahead of the storm.

However, the first bits of precipitation coming from the storm will evaporate in the atmosphere as it falls into the dry air.

When water evaporates, it cools the air. So when more precipitation comes in behind the evaporated stuff,  what would have been rain might come down as snow because of the newly chilled air.

Don't be surprised if you see snow at the onset of the bad weather as it moves into northern New York, Vermont and New Hampshire during the day today.  Even some of the "warmer" valleys might get some flakes, but places above, say, 1,500 feet above sea level could easily get some accumulation.

Perhaps even a couple inches of sloppy, slushy snow in spots. Mountain peaks above three or four thousand feet in the Adirondacks and Green Mountains could get well over six inches of snow.

Even not so high elevation places, such as eastern Chittenden, Addison and Franklin counties a few miles away from Lake Champlain, stand a good chance of a slushy coating.

Be prepared for slippery roads on your evening commute today if your travels take you through high elevations. As it looks now, low elevation roads should be just wet.

Warmish air is pushing in with the heart of the storm, so snow will change to rain everywhere overnight tonight except in the very highest elevation