Code Chocolate Brown

Tuesday, December 10th, 7:30 AM

For those that don’t know, HoCo has implemented a new color code system for emergency closing.  Apparently, the old system of telling employees the opening status in words was problematic because “staff (were often) confused regarding their work status when there were emergency and other non-scheduled school closings.”  I’m not sure what staff had trouble with the old system, but hopefully the new system makes it easier for all of us.  And in the spirit of alliance, here at the Weather Mill, we’ve implemented a new color to indicate that we have no idea what’s going to happen.  So, here we are, 24 hours from our first possible event of the year, and we are still looking at a very muddy forecast which makes us officially Code Chocolate Brown.

What is certain is that a cold front will cross the area later today and temperatures will slowly fall later this evening and overnight.  The problem with a system like this is that we are trying to time a lagging piece of energy along the cold front that will bring precipitation back into the area later this afternoon, and the arrival of cold enough air to change the rain to snow.  In most cases, these situations do not work out for us as the precipitation usually shuts off with the arrival of the colder (and drier) air.  However, the models have been insistent that there will be enough moisture left before sunrise tomorrow, and enough cold air, to give central MD a dusting to 2″ of snow (at least that’s what the models are suggesting).   I’m reluctant to believe that, but the other aspect to consider is that regardless of how much snow falls, there will likely be wet surfaces tomorrow just before sunrise, and temperatures that will be right around freezing, so we may have some problems with the morning commute whether it snows or not, especially west of I 95.  It’s still early, but in reading their discussion this morning, the NWS expects Winter Weather Advisories to be issued for counties west of I 270 for later tonight and tomorrow morning, and also thinks that there’s a chance they’ll have to push the advisories east to include central MD.   But for now, Code Chocolate Brown.

Once I see the midday model runs, I’ll post a more specific update early this afternoon.