• MESO: Mesoscale Discussion 0070

    From COD Weather Processor@1:2320/105 to wx-storm@lists.illinois.edu on Sat Feb 7 02:37:26 2026
    ACUS11 KWNS 070236
    SWOMCD
    SPC MCD 070236=20
    PAZ000-MDZ000-WVZ000-070630-

    Mesoscale Discussion 0070
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    0836 PM CST Fri Feb 06 2026

    Areas affected...parts of eastern West Virginia and adjacent
    portions of western Maryland/Pennsylvania

    Concerning...Heavy snow=20

    Valid 070236Z - 070630Z

    SUMMARY...A period of moderate to heavy snow (at rates occasionally
    up to 1+ inches per hour) and strengthening surface gusts to 30-40+
    kt may develop by Midnight to 1 AM EST, accompanied by considerable
    blowing and drifting of snow and occasionally sharply reduced
    visibilities.

    DISCUSSION...Mostly light to moderate snow overspreading the upper
    Ohio Valley toward the western Allegheny Plateau is being supported
    by forcing for ascent downstream of a vigorous short wave trough of
    Arctic origins, which is forecast to continue digging across and south-southeast of the lower Great Lakes region late this evening.=20
    This is accompanied by a reinforcing cold front, which Rapid Refresh
    indicates will begin overspreading the western slopes of the
    Alleghenies during the 04-07Z time frame.=20=20

    As this occurs, low-level flow is likely to veer to an increasing
    northwesterly upslope component across the higher terrain,
    contributing to strengthening upward vertical motion. Forecast
    soundings indicate that this lift, coupled with low-level cold
    advection, will contribute to saturating profiles with steepening
    lapse rates. It appears that this may become supportive of the
    development of very weak CAPE through a layer between 850-700 mb, as temperatures within this layer cool to around and below -15 C.=20=20=20

    Despite rather low precipitable water content falling below .20
    inches, and the low residence height (higher pressure) of the
    dendritic growth zone, the strong orographically enhanced low-level
    lift and convective component may compensate, and support a period
    of moderate to occasionally heavy snow rates on the order of .5-1+
    inches per hour. This is also likely to coincide with downward
    mixing of strengthening low-level wind fields which may support
    30-40 kt surface gusts, contributing to considerable drifting and
    occasional sharply reduced visibilities.

    ..Kerr.. 02/07/2026

    ...Please see https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.spc.noaa.gov__;!!DZ3fj= g!9KIy1E12bLQi04OFS9FIp3VC4CiBJ5GEKLO7tgBxXQ8UD4_jL1rNabG_4VrRZE4nHYO0CUgL_= 1bB1hm4KrewvGzbsLQ$ for graphic product...

    ATTN...WFO...CTP...LWX...RNK...PBZ...RLX...

    LAT...LON 40027941 39447926 38717968 38158040 38448069 38578056
    39128016 39627996 40027941=20


    =3D =3D =3D
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