MERRY CHRISTMAS ! Time to deliver the day after Christmas Present Folks ! Major Snowstorm on the Way !

Saturday (Christmas Day)
12/25/2010
Major Snowstorm on the Way ! PHL/NYC Areas
My Final Call: 9:00 AM

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and too get prepared now, for a Major Snowstorm during Sunday into Monday AM !

I've been tracking a storm for the past week, that is quite complex and has been a tricky storm to call in advance for the M/A Region. All information over the past 12 to 24 hours is now shifting towards a big hit for the Delaware Valley and NYC metro regions. This storm track has been waffling back and forth for the past 5 days, showing the storm taking several different tracks. Some Models were showing, out to Sea with a miss, Some with a coastal brush, and some accumulation, then the more westerly track and closer to the coast, which would bring us a SECS/MECS.

A storm system will develop just off the SE Coast later today and will intensify as it moves NE to the Carolina coast on Sunday AM. Very strong Upper Level energy will join forces with this storm during later Sunday and Sunday night. The combination of this strong and closed off upper level low, and our developing surface low just off the coast, will produce a very intense storm just off the M/A Coast during Sunday night.

All the ingredients for a SECS/MECS are coming together quickly as we approach the next 24 to 48 hours. This will produce a major snowstorm for the entire Delaware Valley and NYC areas. The steady snow will move into the Delaware Valley region during Sunday morning as it spreads northward into NYC by noon. Moderate snow will get underway during the afternoon hours and winds slowly increase later in the day.

As we head into Sunday night, our storm will really be cranking up, just off the Delmarva coast. Moderate to heavy snow will fall for much of Sunday night as winds increase to 20-35 Mph with gusts past 40. This will produce near blizzard conditions at times, for Sunday night into Monday morning. The Eagles game on Sunday night will be interesting, as moderate to heavy snow falls for much of the game and strong winds also develop ! The Snow will taper down early Monday AM, and should be ending by mid morning over the PHL area, and towards noon in NYC. Howling winds of 25-40 Mph and higher gusts, with blowing and drifting snow can be expected on Monday with some clearing skies during the afternoon hours.

My general thinking is for 6"-12" of total snow accumulation for much of the Delaware Valley region. A general 10" to 16" can be expected over portions of DE and much of NJ, especially towards to coast. Much of Long Island just east of NYC will also see 10"-16" amounts as well. For the NYC metro area, a general 8"-14" can be expected.

My Snowfall Map: (Click on map to enlarge)