Monsoon's Snow Alert!® for 4 December 2009
Regarding the Saturday 12/5 snow event: A few of the models are blowing this event up into an eight-incher, but I think we all need to whoa the horsey and take a reasonable look at this thing: it's going to be a fairly glancing blow to our area.
Rain showers and drizzle Saturday early afternoon will quickly turn to snow, tapering toward midnight. High temp around 38 and falling through the afternoon and evening. Accumulations will be widely variable. Some areas could get as much as 3-4 inches; some will just get a coating to an inch. Most places will see an inch or two of accumulated snowfall. In general, places south and west of Philadelphia will see more accumulation than places north and east.
Once the rain changes over to wet snow, it won’t “stick” at first because surface temperatures are so moderate. But cold air aloft will filter down in a hurry, bringing temperatures down and making roads Saturday night potentially slushy and a bit slippery. Use caution.
Becoming sunny and clear Sunday with a high only in the low 40s. Look for sunny conditions and highs in the mid 40s during the first part of next week as well.
Next good chance of snow is around the 15th or 16th.