January 2-6 Potentially Significant Winter Storm

I'm still keeping an eye on the January 2-6 time frame for a potentially significant winter storm.

In a similar set-up to this past weekend's winter and severe storm event, we see a strong storm system passing over East Asia on December 27th. Using the correlation that states weather in East Asia is reciprocated over the United States 6-10 days later, it is logical to believe that the January 2-6 period may see a winter storm. The reason I say it is potentially significant is because this same instance happened 6-10 days before this past weekend's storm, where a strong system hit Japan. Then, this past weekend, we saw the severe weather and significant snow/ice that qualified the event as a significant storm system. The strength of that Japanese trough only tells me that we are in for another potentially big storm system come January 2-6.

The atmospheric set up for this potential storm is looking pretty interesting. The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), whose forecast is shown above by the ECMWF model, is projected to continue a recent weakening trend to negative territory by the time New Year's Day comes around. This means that the high pressure that has been dominating the Southeast will finally be gone. This also means that the door for East Coast storm systems will be open for once in the last while. And despite the NAO then projected to rise again (which is very possible (even likely)), the risk of East Coast storms will remain in place, albeit diminished.

The reason the door for East Coast storms will remain open is because the Pacific North American (PNA) index is projected to be positive in the long term, especially during this timeframe. The GFS Ensembles predict that the PNA will remain positive through January 2-6, meaning the Southeast ridge should be suppressed. Thus, storms will be able to cross through the Southeast, and possibly even make their way up the coast. Because of this +PNA forecast, the track for this potentially significant storm is still up in the air. Right now, I would outline the Ohio Valley and East Coast for potential areas in line for this storm. I say the Ohio Valley because that possibly-positive NAO may not allow for an East Coast storm, and I say the East Coast because the PNA will be positive, which will allow for suppression of the dreaded Southeast ridge that has fended off East Coast snowstorm chances for a while now.

Still a lot of items to be figured out, but I feel comfortable saying that there is potential for a significant winter storm around the January 2-6 timeframe, and that this storm may affect the Ohio Valley or East Coast (with other locations also still in the mix).

This will most likely be my last post for the day, so a Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to everyone!

Andrew