HARDWICK – Largely avoiding the flood threat last week, total rainfall amounts of two to three inches fell across northern Vermont in the past seven days. December 11 featured highs in the upper 30s, which limited snowmelt runoff that would otherwise increase the flood potential. A few inches of snow on the tail end of the system and through the weekend left the snowpack at 7 to 10 inches in depth across the region, with over a foot of snow still at the reporting stations near 2,000 feet and above.
photo by Vanessa Fournier
The cold full moon held true to its name on Sunday, with morning lows dropping to either side of zero Sunday morning under mostly clear skies.
A moderating trend took place Monday and Tuesday, with some scattered areas of light rain and freezing drizzle on a wave of warmer air. Temperatures plateaued overnight and we remain just above freezing for daytime highs today. An area of low pressure ejecting out of the lower Mississippi River Valley will reach us by tonight, with the low strengthening slightly as it hits the coast. We’re expecting north-central Vermont to mostly experience snow from this event, although a few rain showers may be present below 1,000 feet in the evening. Light snow continues for everyone overnight into Thursday morning, with accumulations of two or three inches in the broader Lamoille River Valley in Hardwick and points west. This will also be true for the Route 2 corridor from Marshfield south. Across the elevated hills of Greensboro, Walden, Plainfield, and Craftsbury, we expect closer to four to six inches of snow accumulation, with snow showers persisting into the afternoon.
Clearing occurs Friday as an impressive dome of high pressure builds over the Great Lakes. In addition to little precipitation in the forecast, this feature will drag some of the coldest air of the season down from Canada, which is expected to last into early next week. Sunday and Monday morning again look to be the coldest with lows in the single numbers below zero, although a few 10-below readings are possible. Wind speeds Sunday morning from the northwest up to 10 mph may make it feel like 20-below. While you’re pondering how many layers you’ll need to stay warm this weekend, take a look at the forecast details below:
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. Snow developing by late afternoon, possibly mixing with rain early in the valleys. Snow accumulations of 1-3”. High: 34. Low: 25.
Thursday: Mostly cloudy. Scattered snow showers. Snow accumulations of 1-3”. High: 25. Low: 12.
Friday: Mostly sunny, becoming partly cloudy overnight. Slight chance of a snow shower. High: 20. Low: 12.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with gradual clearing during the afternoon. High: 16. Low: -8.
Sunday: Mostly sunny. High: 8. Low: -9.
Tyler is our weather reporter and a community journalist. He works as a nurse and EMT, volunteers with Hardwick Rescue and helps to train new EMTs.
