Temporary Snowpack Setback

2014-12-26 13:42:45.000 – Caleb Meute, Weather Observer / Education Specialist

 

As you’re likely aware, a potent low pressure system brought record breaking warm air and copious amounts of rain into New England on Christmas Eve and into Christmas day – not exactly what snow lovers were hoping Santa would bring. A couple of factors came into play which led to the heavy rains and well above average temperatures. First off, at the 500 millibar level, a trough dug all the way down into the Gulf of Mexico which helped pump bountiful amounts of moisture up the eastern seaboard and into New England. If the center of low pressure had taken a track further east, New Hampshire may have seen precipitation in the form of snow, rather than rain. Unfortunately however; the low tracked through the Great Lakes region and into Southern Quebec. Because of this, all of New England was on the “warm sector” side of the storm, and with the deep digging trough, temperatures were able to soar to record levels.

Do not be too concerned snow enthusiasts, because cooler temperatures are beginning to filter into New Hampshire with the progression of the low northward. Temperatures will remain above seasonable through the weekend, but much cooler temperatures look to make a comeback next week. 

 
 Caption: This image shows where the cold front was located at 8AM, Christmas morning. The cold front is shown by the blue line, with the blue triangles pointing in the direction it is moving. The blue arrows were added to indicate the colder air moving into New England and the red “L” shows where the center of low pressure was spinning. As this front passed through yesterday morning, the temperature on the summit dropped 7 degrees in 1 hour!

 

Caleb Meute, Weather Observer / Education Specialist

Find Older Posts