March Advisory

March snowfall is certainly not uncommon.  In fact, our average March and April totals are comparable to that of November and December.  While we probably won't be dealing with anything big, March is proving that it still is and will be a relevant month for winter.

Yesterday was no exception as we saw our first accumulating snowfall of the month.  I normally always remember a snowfall in March but for some reason it always seemed to be around the first week.  This time we had to wait until the midpoint.  The snow moved in steadily and as the flakes became bigger, accumulations began.  Most places from Berks through Lehigh and Bucks ended with between 1-2 inches.  Now two days later, we prepare for more.

TOMORROW

The National Weather Service has posted advisories, watches and warnings all throughout the Northeast ahead of the storm tomorrow.  Like in every other scenario we normally see, temperatures will play a huge factor as well as timing.  Right now only the Lehigh Valley and Berks County have advisories posted.  I don’t know if that is a sign or not.  What I can tell you is that if I watch the short term model (which was totally incorrect for the last storm) I would be cautious to say that this doesn’t become more of a winter event as opposed to a rain event.  Temperatures for this will probably not get above 35.  Higher elevated areas and select locals might not see a change over until well into the day.

 

The current advisory for the area is for 1-2 inches.  I wouldn’t be surprised if the final totals were more likely in the 2-4 range.  Again, a lot depends on timing so I can see why the totals are a bit lower as that is a safer range.  Either way I’d expect a few issues out on the road.  There were certainly issues yesterday which could have had more to do with the surprise factor since basically nobody in the media mentioned much about a chance of accumulating snow. 

If everything goes right, Allentown has a very good chance to pass the 20 inch mark for the season.  It doesn’t sound like much, but I didn’t think it was going to happen and it is at least a respectable winter season.  And of course, New England will get hammered again by the storm.  Many larger cities are on the verge of topping 100 inches this year.

AHEAD

I ran the temperature outlook through the rest of the month into the beginning of April.  Hopefully nobody is looking for warmer temperatures yet.  The below averages temperatures continue to sit over much of the east.  Not only that but there appears to be more opportunities for snow at least for the next two weeks including one around the 25th that could blanket North Carolina. 

Since I mentioned it earlier I figured I would give the numbers.  These are for Allentown since they actually keep solid records.

November – December:  7.7 inches

January – February:  9.1 inches

March – Present:  1.1 inches