Mesoscale Discussion 0098
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0945 AM CST Sat Jan 29 2022
Areas affected...much of Maine
Concerning...Blizzard
Valid 291545Z - 292145Z
SUMMARY...Heavy blowing snow with rates of 2-3 in/hr is expected to
develop across much of coastal and Downeast Maine through midday,
and farther into the higher terrain later today.
DISCUSSION...A rapidly deepening surface low will move northeastward
toward Nova Scotia today, with intensifying large-scale lift north
of the low across Maine and New Brunswick. Strengthening
frontogenesis through a deep layer will lead to increasing snow
rates with banding currently extending from Boston toward coastal
Maine. As ascent increases within the favorable dendritic growth
zone aloft, snow rates at or above 2 in/hr should be widespread, and
3-4 in/hr may briefly occur as boundary layer temperatures range
from the single digits well inland to teens near the coast.
Forecast RAP soundings also indicate maximum boundary layer wind
speeds above 40 kt, suggesting gusts of the same within the heavier precipitation bands.