The period outlined is March 6th through March 20th. As the block continues to mature, we think this timeframe will produce at least one (if not a couple) opportunities for “meaningful” accumulating wintry precipitation across the Ohio Valley and features below normal temperatures.
Model data continues to show this idea has merit and now we’ll have to handle the individual storms as they come. As we’d expect late in the winter, challenges abound, but this is a pattern that has potential. Can we turn potential into reality? That’s the question that will be answered over the next couple weeks.
During the upcoming week, snow showers will fly Wednesday, but this doesn’t appear to be a big deal. With vigorous upper level energy tracking across the region, it should be sufficient enough to generate scattered snow showers and potentially a couple more intense squalls (especially across eastern portions of the state) Wednesday.
The next item on the agenda will arrive Friday afternoon into Friday night. It, too, should spread snow across a portion of the Ohio Valley. With this being in the Day 6 time period, expect fine tuning as we move through the upcoming week.
Finally, a third system will impact the area about this time next week, and it’s this system that appears to be the most significant of the group. Far too early to get detailed, but it certainly warrants our attention.
The overall pattern we’ll “enjoy” over the next couple of weeks is one that’s been lacking for the better part of the past few winters. With blocking in place, storm systems trying to lift into the Great Lakes will be “forced” south and result in an active time of things around these parts- including the east coast, as well, over the better part of the upcoming 10-15 days.
Understanding that storms this time of year have to get several things to “line up” just right to result in an impactful event, it’s far too early to signal winter’s over…