Windex vs WINDEX
2013-11-10 18:32:09.000 – Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Meteorologist
Yesterday – a few inches of snow, Tomorrow – feet?
Windex, to most people, is a blue colored window cleaner. In meteorology, “WINDEX” stands for wintertime instability index and is used to assess the potential for snow squalls to form along frontal boundaries, mainly in New England. To assess this potential, forecasters use modeling software called BUFKIT, which is a profile visualization and analysis tool kit. In this modeling software, WINDEX is found by examining the parameters of relative humidity, differences in temperature, low level instability, and forcing at different layers of the atmosphere. When conditions are met, the WINDEX method identifies when and possibly where a snow squall may occur. In meteorology, a snow squall is defined as a sudden onset of strong winds with heavy snow and blowing snow that may cause whiteout conditions.
I mention all of this because using the WINDEX method, New Hampshire has a high indication for snow squall formation with the next cold frontal passage poised for Monday night. While most areas around the state (even the seacoast) will wake Tuesday morning to only a few inches on the ground, where these squalls set up, there is the potential for feet of snow by Tuesday morning. Right now, the highest potential for squall line formation is in the Lee of the White Mountains; but it can’t be ruled out completely elsewhere in the state. Since it is a holiday weekend some folks may be tempted to wait until Monday night to drive home, the time when these squalls will be forming. If this is the case, be aware that roads, especially through the various notches (I-93, 302, 16, etc) of the White Mountains, may experience white out conditions at times making driving difficult. So, please be mindful of this and be safe out there in the coming days New Hampshire/New England. And with the Veterans Day holiday in mind, a special thanks to all those who have served our country in the armed services.
Ryan Knapp, Weather Observer/Meteorologist
Inside the Weather Room: How Mount Washington Observers Monitor the Atmosphere
Inside the Weather Room: How Mount Washington Observers Monitor the Atmosphere By Karl Philippoff As a weather observer on Mount Washington, we take our hourly observations on the observation deck, usually heading out between
From Weather Observer to Intern, to Observer Again
From Weather Observer to Intern, to Observer Again By Madelynn Smith As I rode in the backseat of our Obs van up the Auto Road for the first time as a full-time employee at
From Mountains to More Mountains
From Mountains to More Mountains: This Time with Stronger Winds By Alyssa Bélanger On the observation deck in high winds. Hello there! My name is Alyssa Bélanger and I am a fall
