LIVE: Winter Storm Hercules

1) WIND CHILL ADVISORY FROM 4 AM TO NOON FRIDAY
2) WIND ADVISORY FROM 2 AM TO NOON FRIDAY

Synopsis - Low pressure system will continue to follow the jet stream off the coast, creating blizzard conditions in the Northeast. Temps dropping down to 16 degrees tonight, just reaching 20 degrees tomorrow. High pressure will move in, keeping the cold temperatures low.  Wind chill will drop to -1 tomorrow as well. As three different low pressure systems collide and gain strength, lines of equal pressure will get closer. Winds will be damaging tonight, reaching 50 mph. Snow total for Winchester VA will be between 2-3 inches. Anywhere from 12-18 inches of snow will fall in the extreme NE. This storm will 24-34 hours in the NE.


2:30 PM - Snow has started early here in Winchester. Current temperature is just below freezing at 31 degrees. Humidity at 83%. Pressure falling at 29.53 Hg. Main roads not fully covered yet, but as temps continue to fall, that will change. They are slick though. Go slow and be careful.







3:20 PM - We're officially at 29 degrees. Pressure has fallen to 29.50 Hg. Looking for anywhere from 2-3 inches through tonight.

3:35 PM - Snow is now sticking to main roads. Snowfall rate has also increased.

 

5:30 PM - Pressure has dropped to 29.44. Temperature is still at 29 degrees with the dew point at 26. Humidity sitting at 88%. Winds are quiet, but expecting that to change tonight.

5:40 PM - Accumulation of 2 inches in Winchester, VA.

7:00 PM - Accumulation of just over 2 inches closer to the Clearbrook area. Getting reports of 3 inches in the vicinity though. Depends on elevation. Temps have dropped to 28 degrees and humidity has bumped up to 90%. Pressure still sitting at 29.44. Reports are coming in about accidents and school buses still on roads. Try not to go out tonight. Roads will be especially slick with the frigid conditions tonight and tomorrow. Start thinking about charging all electronics before major winds move in.

 
8:00 PM - Clarke County and Frederick County Public Schools will be closed on Friday.

10:00 PM - This could be the end of the road for snow, but that doesn't mean conditions won't worsen. Winds will be picking up rapidly in the next hour. By 3 AM, winds will be steady at 25 mph with gusts over 35 mph. Winds will reach 30 mph with gusts over 50 mph at times. Temps will drop to 16 degrees for an overnight low. Currently, humidity is at 89%. The temperature is at 28 degrees and dropping. Pressure has dropped even more to 29.41.

10:10 PM - Winter Weather Advisory has been dropped.

10:50 PM - Pressure has bumped up to 29.44 which is the first sign that winds will be picking up soon. Humidity has dropped to 88%. Still at 28 degrees.

11:15 PM - Created this map to better understand the relationship between pressure difference and winds.