MAJOR EAST COAST STORM POSSIBLE THIS THURSDAY/FRIDAY
Models are beginning to come together on a solution which would could dump 6-12" along the northeastern I-95 corridor. The ECMWF has a solid snow threat from PHL to BOS, BOS potentially seeing 12-18". 8-12" around NYC, less south. The NAVGEM was the first model to seek out a PNA spike, helping to lead in rise in heights over the SE, causing the trough go negatively titled and amplify. The Euro picked up on it last night, bombing out a 979mb low just south of Montauk, NY. Down to 961mb in the Gulf of Maine. The latest 12z run of the GFS has picked up on this now, with a decent enough Davis Strait block. The GFS appears to be suffering from some convective feedback issues. Causes the low to be further east than depicted, also taken into consideration the GFS' SE bias and its struggle with east coast cyclogenesis. Eliminate the bias and convective feedback issue, this could be an 12-18" event (MECS, Major East Coast Storm) for the NYC area. Behind the system, area of pronounced -15c - -20c 850mb temperatures. High pressure to the west will allow northerly winds to spill down from the Hudson Valley (which is the best way for NYC to see cold temps). GFS raw numbers have NYC reaching a low -2.2°F Saturday morning. Could be slightly overdone, maybe a low between 5 and 0 degrees more likely. These temps will be more attainable with a decent snowpack. More updates to follow.