In a typical October fashion, we’re moving through all the seasons in a short period of time. Summer like conditions returned last weekend along with severe thunderstorms, bits of spring and fall came through afterwards with wind, rain, and raw days, and now we might be entering into a brief zone of winter.
Low pressure develops along a cold front later Friday and strengthens heading into Saturday. As the long strengthens, the cold conveyor belt of air traveling along the north side of the low (and circling counter-clockwise around it) begins to crank up the amount of cold air intruding into the low to mid layers. Areas above 2,500 feet stand to receive several inches of heavy, wet snow Saturday morning at Mount Snow and Wildcat (less at Hunter due to position of the low).
While the feedback from the model shows fairly widespread snow, most of this will occur at mid to summit levels. That’s not to say that in some intense bands we couldn’t see some snow reach the base, but it would likely melt on contact, or melt as soon as the intensity lets up. Base temperatures should stay 33-35 degrees, whereas mid levels hover around 31-33 degrees, and summits get down to 28 degrees. How quickly this occurs depends on how quick and deep the low strengthens. Nonetheless, this heavy, wet snow may bring down any weak branches/trees, and potentially lead to power problems.