Snow/Cold Update: Maybe Not As Much As Previous Forecast, But Still Yucky

Autumn life in northern Vermont.  Snow pellets accumulated overnight
on husband Jeff's storm damaged Jeep. 

Most of Vermont, except southern valleys probably, is still looking at the first measureable snow of the season Thursday night, but at least it still looks like it's going to be no blockbuster.

Still, if you hate the idea of a prolonged period of winter weather this early in the season you are totally out of luck.

Most forecasters think there will be a rain and snow mix going on during most of Thursday afternoon, but it might be a little too warm in the valleys to accumulate much.

The roads probably won't be too bad for the late afternoon commute Thursday. The exception will be higher elevation roads and back roads, which could get slick.

Overnight Thursday, the temperature will drop and the snow will stick.  The National Weather Service in South Burlington was thinking this morning that those of us at elevations below 1,000 feet should get an inch or two of snow, with two to five inches up to 2,000 feet. Summits could get a good six inches.

Friday looks gawd awful with winds gusting 20 to 30 mph, snow showers, a few of them briefly strong enough to reduce visibility and muck up the roads again, and temperatures staying below freezing.



Trajectory map has air coming right down from far northern  Canada
to Burlington, Vermont on Friday. Enjoy!

Near record cold is possible Friday night. Saturday looks cold but calm. Sunday will be a tad warmer but windy, so it will feel cold. Plus there will be a few rain and snow showers around as the next Arctic cold front approaches.

Yes, I said Arctic cold front. The cold air coming in Sunday night and for most of next week is even more frigid than the stuff coming in Friday.  As I said yesterday, it's an early winter, folks. Although we can hope for a warmer end to the month or a mild December.

That's warmer scenario is not a forecast. It's just wishful thinking. I have no idea what the end of the month and December will bring. Any any forecaster or meteorologist who tells you they do know is either delusional or lying.

So wax up those skis, winterize that car, get the snow shovels and the sleds out and welcome to winter !