Winter Storm Artimus

Details

• Date:  November 1st - 2nd
• Impact Areas:  TN, NC, ME
• Peak Winds:  70 mph - Nantucket, MA
• Snowfall: Mount LeConte, TN - 22 inches -Spring Creek, NC - 22 inches -Cary, ME - 21 inches 
• Notables:  Measurable snowfall in western and central South Carolina, 150,000 lost power in New England

Forget the fact that most of the northeast missed out on snow entirely while Greenville, South Carolina saw half of their seasonal snowfall already.  There hadn't even been a major snowstorm anywhere in the country before the southeast was measuring with a yardstick.  If this is any indication of the year to come, the east might be in for a treat.

As odd as this storm was for the time of year, evidence is beginning to show that the snowy pattern could persist.  The consensus is the southeast will be well below average in temperatures this winter.  Think on the scale of three to five degrees which is significant.  Think of our winter last year.  Between November and March we averaged just about four degrees below normal, and I think we all remember how cold last winter was.  The issue with the south is that even in a cold winter temperatures still might not be cold enough to support snow. 

It still is a little too early to tell how the winter will unfold.  There is also a slight sign that arctic blocking could develop shortly which could signal the beginning of the coastal storms.  With the threat of the polar vortex again this year, making an appearance next week in the central U.S. and sliding east, and a possible blocking set up one can't but help to think this is setting up to be another above average snow season. 

Here is what Artimus showed me.  The pattern changed with this storm.  It happens every year before winter begins and when winter ends.  After all the awesome weekends we had, the first one in November brings a snowstorm, rain, winds and cold.  This weekend we experience our coolest temperatures since last weekend.  And there will be another snowstorm in Maine.  Here is what else I learned and already knew.  Winter storms are awesomely amazing.  I'd love to be shocked by the pictures of three inches of snow in South Carolina, but I'm not.  You never know what is going to happen.  I will admit I'm much more impressed by the few inches at low elevations then the 20 plus inches in the mountains.  Those areas are so under appreciated for their winters.

With my own new naming system I hope to be able to track east coast storms with news, pictures and videos.  Artimus hit before I even knew I was doing this so my content isn't the greatest.  I also realize with the possibility of a storm this weekend that meets my characteristics we might have more storms than I originally thought.  This probably has to do with me not paying much attention to storms that don't have a huge impact on any area close to me.  Either way I will have a summary of any nor'easter if it qualifies. 

Locally our weather goes downhill next week especially as the polar vortex sweeps in during the middle portion of the week.  It's also a good time to start looking at potential storm systems to produce our first snow of the season.  As of now there is nothing imminent but as I said earlier you never know what is going to happen.