Sunday Evening Vermont Storm Update: Winds Cause Issues Before Rains

Gusty winds, very warm temperatures and chaotic cloudy
skies this afternoon over St. Albans, Vermont preceded
some rain that will enhance the flood risk overnight.
Most of the flooding will from rapidly melting snow.

 Some strong, gusty winds have been able to develop especially in western Vermont this afternoon, hinting at just how dynamic the storm that afflicted much of the United States has been. 

I'd estimate peak gusts at my St. Albans hillside house at between 50 and 55 mph. I heard some large branches breaking in the woods up behind the house.  Gusts have reached at least 48 mph in Burlington. 

Vermont Outages reported nearly 2,000 homes and businesses without power late this afternoon, mostly i northwest Vermont, where the winds have been strongest.

A wind advisory is in effect until 10 p.m. tonight for Vermont along and west of the Green Mountains. 

It was super warm today, as you might have noticed. It reached at least 70 degrees in Burlington, tying the mark for the fourth earliest 70 on record. 

Until 1990, the earliest 70 in Burlington was March 23, 1938. The earliest 70 on record is now on February 25, 2017. That's one example of how climate change has really altered the weather record books 

The dew point, a measure of humid it is out there, has gotten into the low 50s in some spots. That's extremely humid for March (but not for August, BTW).  Humid, windy air melts snow faster, so it's probably really disappearing fast from those areas that still have snow.    

As far as flooding goes, the forecast hasn't changed. Mostly minor flooding as expected as the snow melt rushes down from the hills and mountains.  River levels continue to run a little higher than forecast late this afternoon. Probably because more snow has melted than originally thought. 

However, slightly less rain tonight than earlier predictions might offset that. It should only rain hard for two or three hours later this evening until around midnight or a little after. There might even be a rumble of thunder or two with this.  Light rain will follow into Monday morning. with several additional hours of light rain. 

Still, the amount of snow melt can be unpredictable, so there could be some surprises in flood plains here and there early Monday. 

Needless to say, Vermont is still under a flood watch now through most of Monday. 

I noticed some weird little blips and quick rises and falls of water levels along the Mississquoi River. That indicates ice is still moving on the river and there could be some ice jams. 

I'd pay attention to road conditions early Monday. We're certainly not going to have snow or ice to worry about. But some low-lying roads might be flooded.

Also, with this prolonged, intense thaw, mud season has gotten off to a miserable start. I'd image some dirt roads are virtually impassable.