Spring Snow?
Spring Snow?
This weekend’s snowfall was eight inches, but it could have been a lot more. With the air temperature close enough to freezing, most of the snowflakes were in the form of wet snow. With all the ice, sleet, and rain at the tail end of the storm, the snow to liquid ratio was only 4:1. On average, a winter storm’s ratio is 10:1 and when the temperature is around 20°F, the ratio can get up to 20:1. Thus, if we had gotten the “fluff” factor, Boston could have received 40 inches of snow! Nonetheless, the observed eight inches more than doubled the season’s low snow totals and cost us our chance at setting the lowest recorded snowfall total (9") ever in Boston.
Despite an overnight dusting of fresh snow, spring arrives today (8:07 p.m.). So, is it time to bring home all that winter gear during Spring Break? Well, among other things, with the jet stream receding poleward, computer models predict no spring snow storms over the next fifteen days. In fact, after today and tomorrow’s cool northerly winds, the winds will shift towards the southwest on Thursday. This allows for strong warm air advection, and temperatures are expected to approach near 70°F on Friday. It’ll really feel like spring then.
Today: Mostly sunny and windy. West winds 20 to 25 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Cold. High 40°F (4°C).
Tonight: Mostly clear and remaining blustery. Cold. West winds 15 to 25 mph. Low 13°F (-10°C).
Tomorrow: Mostly sunny. Cool. High 40°F (4°C).
Thursday: Mostly cloudy. Warmer. High 60°F (15°C).
Friday: Mostly cloudy. High 70°F (21°C)