A Snowy, Snowliage Type Afternoon Possible In Parts Of Vermont Today

Scenes like this are possible in parts of northern Vermont
today if a passing storm system manufactures enough
cold air to briefly change a cold rain to snow.

 No promises, but parts of northern Vermont could see some snow this afternoon. No, I'm not making it up! 

If it happens, and the operating word her is "if", the snow falling on peak fall foliage in many areas could make some beautiful scenery. 

Here's what might happen, depending on how much cold air can gather. 

A storm system passing through eastern New England will strengthen as it does so. In this type of set up, a band of precipitation often sets up to its west and northwest. That'll be the case with this one. 

That would put northern Vermont in the rain, so expect a damp, very chilly, wet day for this time of year. 

The air will get cold enough for snow to fall in the highest elevations. On top of that, storms like this sometime manufacture their own pocket of even chillier air.  And if the precipitation is heavy enough, it tends to cool the atmosphere further. 

That combination could lead to a mix or changeover to snow in some areas of northern Vermont today.  It won't cause any travel trouble, as the ground is warm. So any snow won't accumulate on roads and such.

But, if this all comes together just right, the snow -especially at elevations of 1,000 feet or more - could accumulate lightly on grassy surfaces and leaves. A bit of wet snow accumulating on autumn leaves still on trees is gorgeous, trust me.  

Snow in St. Albans, Vermont back in
October, 2018. If a storm system
creates enough chilly air, scenes like
this are possible in northern parts 
of the state today. 

So, if you have a chance, and like that sort of thing, head out of the Champlain Valley in northern Vermont and see what happens this afternoon.

The higher you go in elevation, the better your chances of seeing snow. Of course, way up there near the tops of the mountains, the foliage is mostly gone.

So elevations of 1,000 to 2,000 feet are your best bets today.

The snow likely won't be heavy enough to cause any damage to speak of. There have been cases, like in October, 1987, when up to a foot of snow during peak foliage weekend cut power to many thousands, stranded tourists and toppled countless snow-laden trees with leaves still on them. 

That won't happen today. 

In fact, a warning: Maybe nothing much in the way of snow will happen today. 

This is one of those situations where a degree or two in temperature could make all the difference. It might not get quite cold enough for it to snow. Or, some snowflakes will just mix with the rain and not accumulate on anything. It's a tossup. 

In any event, the storm will stall over the Maritime Provinces of Canada Tuesday and Wednesday. That will promote chilly rain showers possibly mixed with snowflakes in the valleys both days.

 A few inches of snow might accumulate up high, like places above 2,00 feet or so. 

That means skies clear Thursday as expected, we could end up with blue skies, snow-capped mountains and fall foliage.  That would certainly be beautiful, too!