Jan 31, 2013 Brief Update

Weekend - Next Week: Colder Again, Light Snow Expected

Behind this morning's heavy rain and wind event, temperatures cooled down significantly across the region, with scattered snow showers observed in some areas. A trough is returning to the northeast US throughout the next week, with colder temperatures returning for the weekend through next week peaking in the upper 20s to low 30s for highs, perhaps a bit colder inland and warmer further east.

Along with the cold, several minor snow events are expected. The first will be on Friday, but will remain to the south and east of the area. The next widespread snow event is expected on Sunday, with a weak, moisture-starved low pressure quickly moving through the region; a coastal low pressure is expected to develop, and while it will intensify too late and too far northeast to have significant impacts in the region, there is still some uncertainty with the specifics, and the forecast is subject to minor revisions; at this time, widespread light snow showers are expected with minor accumulations up to potentially 1-2 inches. More information will be posted on this with Friday night's update.

The colder temperatures will continue into next week, with another system affecting the region between Tuesday and Thursday. The model guidance continues to have differences with this one, although the overall expectation is for another weak and relatively dry low pressure, with the potential for additional light snow accumulations across the area. Towards the end of next week and next weekend, the strong cold will retreat back to Canada with an absence of blocking near Greenland to keep the cold trapped further south, with warmer but not very warm temperatures returning into the eastern and central US. The next storm potentials are towards next Friday and early-mid next week; at this time, given the retreating cold and rising 500mb heights in the East, either or both are likely to be on the warmer side with rain or a mix, although the specifics of this time period are still subject to change. More information will be posted on these as details become clearer.