New England is Getting Walloped With Snow

Over the past few days, the weather models had been honing in on a strong piece of atmospheric energy diving southeastward out of southern Canada. This was forecast to force a strong surface low that would explosively develop just off the northeastern coast.

The hi-res NAM forecasting the explosive development to occur on its morning run yesterday. h/t pivotalweather.com
The hi-res NAM forecasting the explosive development to occur on its morning run yesterday. h/t pivotalweather.com

Associated with this would be strong dynamics, and the ability to force heavy snowfall. Today, the forecast models proved right. A strong surface low explosively developed overnight and into this morning, creating strong winds along the coastline. Not only that, but the upper air dynamics that fostered this system gave way to incredibly intense snowfall in much of New England.

The incredible development of the low pressure system affecting the northeast today. h/t COD Weather
The incredible development of the low pressure system affecting the northeast today. h/t COD Weather

Snowfall rates in the 2-4″ per hour range have been recorded, with hundreds of lightning strikes occurring. This is an extremely rare case of dynamics strong enough that they produce widespread thunderstorm. Check out some of the scenes from the region.

This snow was heavy and wet as well, allowing for it to pile up quickly on trees and powerlines. This, combined with strong wind gusts, created damage in the region.

I sincerely hope that everyone in New England decided to play it safe and avoid going on in the conditions, because they’re some of the worst I have seen in a while. Even so, I think it would be cool to see snow that heavy.