Battleground Is Set For Another Major Winter Storm...

Last weekend it was the Northeast that endured/enjoyed? a blizzard that left Boston with nearly 2 feet (23.6") of snow.  This week, the battle continues except it's shifted more to the west.   Look at how many states are under winter storm watches/warnings.

The big upper level dip is over the Rockies with a strong SW flow over us.  The problem is models keep that SW flow over us through Friday.

The top graphic is from this morning with the middle valid for Thursday morning.  Note the arrow on the bottom view points out the strong upper disturbance that will trigger a large swath of snow & ice from Colorado into the Northeast.  The question then becomes...what is our chances of getting some snow or ice here on Friday?   I grabbed these graphics off David's 4 PM program.

His model has the cold front arriving around 3 pm with temps in the mid 70s ahead of it.  By 6 pm we're already down into the 50s and by daybreak on Friday in the 30s as that upper disturbance approaches.  The FOX 8 model has the blue color (snow) from Baton Rouge across the North Shore with the pink area (sleet pellets) from Houma approaching Kenner.   So those of you snow geeks who have been whining for the white stuff here, maybe this is your opportunity?   The real questions are 1) will we be cold enough for snow/sleet? and 2) will the moisture still be around?

The super cold (30-40 below) air has returned to Canada and some of that will plow into the U.S. as the western upper trough shifts to the east.

For the next 2 days we'll be spring-like with highs in the 70s before Mother Nature reminds us there is still a lot of Winter weather left.   Since it will be a slow moving cold front, there is the slim potential for heavy rainfall here with the higher chances to our north and east,

In the short term for tonight, we have a weakening upper low across the northern Gulf that is producing some heavy downpours.

If you get under this line for an hour or two, you could pick up a quick 1"+ rainfall.  The other story is the strong east winds that have created high tides.

That has prompted a Coastal Flood Advisory from NWS.   Look for it to stay breezy through tomorrow with the direction shifting from the east this afternoon to more southerly tomorrow and on Thursday.  So to recap...There is the POTENTIAL for some frozen precipitation across SE Louisiana on Friday morning.   Will it be enough to whiten the ground?  Perhaps, especially to our west and north.   Check out Friday's highs.

I will leave my plants outside to get some rain Wednesday & Thursday morning.  I'll bring them back into my He-Shed before the front arrives on Thursday afternoon.  This weekend is gonna be another cold one and the longer range models keep us chilly for the first 2 weeks of February.  Who knows...we could have several future opportunities for snow?!!!  Stay tuned!