Community Corner
Sleet, Snow and Rain a Possibility for Mid Week Storm
Forecast models show storm is coming but still mixed on type of precipitation likely starting on Wednesday.
Computer models have begun to come into better agreement regarding the midweek storm set to impact the Port Jefferson area. This forecast remains complex, though, due to uncertainty of precipitation type at the onset, and if/when that precipitation transitions to snow.
Right now, it looks as if precipitation associated with the main storm will begin sometime between early Wednesday morning and Wednesday afternoon. It may begin briefly as snow but will likely transition to mix of sleet and snow and even rain for a time.
As the storm gather strength and climbs up the east coast, the wind direction will turn more northerly in nature and begin to switch the entire area over to all snow from west to east. It is when this transition takes place that will determine just how much snow the area receives.
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Right now, at least a few inches look likely, with the potential for considerably more should it change over earlier. Port Jefferson tends to be one of the colder spots on Long Island as it is fairly well shielded from the ocean by virtue of its hills and northern location. This could play a role in minimizing the amount of plain rain the area sees with this system.
Meteorologist Steve DiMartino of www.nynjpaweather.com warns the combination of rain followed by falling temperatures and snow could make travel conditions very dangerous come Thursday morning.
Find out what's happening in Port Jeffersonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“The precipitation will start as snow on Wednesday morning change over to sleet and rain by Wednesday afternoon and then back over to snow on Wednesday night through Thursday morning with not only a moderate snowfall accumulation," he said. "But also the setting for very icy conditions below the snowfall on Thursday morning."
The storm will be gone by Thursday afternoon, leaving cold air and gusty winds behind it. Snow chances will continue through next week as this active winter weather pattern seems hesitant to give up on most computer models.
In all likelihood, a Winter Storm Watch will be issued by the National Weather Service sometime later tonight or tomorrow. You can find current advisories for Port Jefferson here.
