Welcoming Spring with Snow in the Southern Tier?

We have been lucky to have our taste of spring over the last couple of weeks in the Southern Tier.  The geese have flown back and I know many Hawk listeners have reported sightings of robins and flower bulbs popping up from the ground.  The Binghamton Outdoor and Camping Show is this weekend at Binghamton University.  All signs that spring is hours away.

The spring equinox arrives on Saturday, March 19 or Sunday March 20th, depending on the time zone.  Siri tells me spring officially arrives Sunday at 6:21pm on the East Coast.  You know Siri is always right! 

With the arrival of spring comes a potential nor'easter that may bring snow to the East Coast.  Siri may not be commenting on the amount of snow but our meteorologist Howard Manges from the WBNG Storm Tracker Weather Center is closely watching this storm path.

Here's what we know tonight as of this writing:

A cold front will cross the area Friday. Some snow showers are possible early for everyone. As the day wears on, any snow showers will likely be in the higher elevations and we’ll see a transition to mixed or rain showers in the lower elevations. Any accumulations of snow will be light and likely only in the higher elevations. Making the accumulation forecast difficult is the chance that some lake effect/enhanced snow could develop. This snow could be locally heavier and perhaps put down a bit more snow. Either way any accumulations are expected to be less than 1 or 2”; with perhaps as much as 3” of wet snow well north of Binghamton. Scattered valley rain showers are likely by late morning and through the afternoon. Highs will be in the 30s to low 40s. Clouds clear Friday night and it will be cold. Lows will range from the mid teens in the coldest spots to low 20s.

High pressure will build in Saturday, the last day of winter, and bring a sunny day. However, it looks like colder air sticks around and highs, even under the sunshine, will likely stay in the 30s.

The forecast track of a potential east coast storm we’ve been monitoring the last few days for Sunday and early Monday has remained in such a manner that accumulating snows could be coming to our region. The chance of light snow is 30% Sunday afternoon but increases to 60% late. An early estimate shows that several inches of snow could fall, with perhaps 6 or more inches of snow southeast and well east. There is still some uncertainty yet, but it is looking a bit more like we’ll see some snow on the 1st and 2nd days of spring.

I just may be able to use those skis after all!

Keep it on the Hawk for the latest updates and you can always check the latest weather and satellite images HERE.

[via WBNG-TV]