Here are some accumulation totals just in:

Bolton, CT                      9.0"
Glastonbury, CT              8.5"
Hampden                        8.3"
Blandford                        8.0"
West Springfield              7.5"
Goshen                          7.5"
East Longmeadow           6.8"

This will be the last entry for this storm event, as the evening commute subsides, and this storm goes the similar way of the December 13th, 2007 storm. There will continue to be periodic snow showers across the state, and light additional accumulations are likely, but the threat of continual heavy snowfall across consecutive hours is over. For now. The next storm comes in Sunday, and still bears a lot of watching.

Be sure to keep up with the latest in all things weather by keeping it here at cbs3springfield.com, and by tuning in to our 24/7 Live Weather-stream called "WeatherNow" , available here, and all the time on Comcast Cable channel 293.

7:00 PM - The most intense snowfall rates are about over for Western Massachusetts, but there still will be lingering snow showers, complete with some additional accumulations. Some recent snowfall totals:

Alford                             8.0"
Westfield                        8.0"
Tolland, CT                     7.0"
Orange                           7.0"
Chesterfield                    7.0"
Palmer                           6.0"

It certainly has been some steady-to-heavy snow-- some good 6"-8" totals in not as many hours. Folks should think about clearing off the walkways tomorrow...because another snow event is on the way for Sunday. This next one could mix in a little sleet and ice, which would not be good if you still have a lot of snow in your way to begin with. As always, we appreciate your emailed snowfall reports, and any snow pictures you've captured that you'd like to send in. Continue to stay tuned to CBS 3 Springfield for the latest on this Winter Storm, and the one after it in a few days.

6:00 PM - Some solid snows still coming down across the area. The back-edge of the real intense stuff is is getting closer though, currently moving through parts of New York. However, expect light snow to bother us here and there, all the way to the next system lining up for Sunday. Some recent snowfall totals:

Canaan, CT                     8.5"     (Snowfall since 1pm)
Savoy                              8.0"
East Farmington, CT        7.0"
Rocky Hill, CT                  6.0"
Ashfield                           5.5"
Worthington                     5.5"

The Current Pressure map now shows that the low-pressure center off the New Jersey Coastline has now taken slight prominence over its parent in Pennsylvania. The bulk of the developing energy will be more confined to this new center, but keep in mind the parent low-pressure center will continue to throw in some snow showers for as long as it remains around.

5:00 PM - The best lift is currently working its way into the area. The Doppler Radar certainly shows some strong returns, and the trends in air pressure over the last 3 hours show the steepest drops arriving to Western Massachusetts. They are lining up with with the intense vertical lift coming across eastern New York. Current air fow depictions on the Wind Streamline map indicates cold air is still oozing in from the north; high pressure perched in Canada allowing for area temperatures to drop during the course of the day (by about 5 degrees or so).

The current Surface Pressure map shows the center of the main system still back off to the west in Pennsylvania, but the expected secondary low pressure center is forming along the New Jersey coastline. This storm system will not be behaving like a typical 'Noreaster weather pattern, but rather as two low-pressure centers still connected, without a complete transfer of energy, at least not while it is overhead. Even though the intensity is peaking for only 4-6 hours, this storm structure will permit the system to drag and slog it's way through, perhaps keeping accumulating snows in place over toward the coastline for several hours more.

Quite the Winter Wonderland!

We like seeing those photos of the weather near your area, and the local snow reports too. Head outside, stick a ruler in the ground, and email us what you got. It helps fill in the holes. Also, for those who have continually updated weather information right before their eyes, tune into "WeatherNow" , our 24/7 Weatherstream, running online, and on Comcast Cable channel 293.

4:00 PM - Snowfall coming down at expected intensities across the area. 1"- 2" per hour snowfall rates are being reported. Now on the ground:

Woodstock, NY              4.0"
Otis                               3.5"
Newington, CT                3.3"
Ashfield                         3.0"
Springfield                      3.0"
Goshen                          3.0"
Southwick                      2.0"

A quick run-through of the area Weather WebCams, and it's pretty clear that being on the roads is nonsense.

3:00 PM - Snow seems to be falling pretty good by now, meaning everyone who isn't warming up inside watching it fall is pretty much just stuck in it. Some current snowfall totals:

Newark, NJ                     3.0"
NYC/Central Park, NY     2.6"
Albany, NY                     2.2"  (1.4" last hour)
Bridgewater, CT              2.0"
Springfield, MA               1.0"

Expect moderate to heavy snow to continue for the next several hours.

2:00 PM - Snowfall rates back in New York are topping 1"/hr rates now, and it's not long before the same will be happening here locally. Dover Plains, NY recorded 1" of snow between Noon and 1pm, and Woodstock, NY recorded 2" in the same time frame. It is this time of the afternoon that is the most concerning, as we could reach a half-foot of snow over the next several hours-- the same time that normally would have marked a large work/holliday travel exodus. Hopefully all have heeded the warnings, and stayed off the roads. As you can see in downtown Northampton, even the little we have had so far, has really served to slicken things up.

The Radar/Satellite composite shows we're just starting this thing, so we'll be under it right into the night. Current Wet-Bulb temperatures (the coldest temperature you can get through moisture saturation) show we'll continue to be in the all-snow category, though the same can't be said for the south shore and Cape Cod. We're going to be entering a period of considerable Vertical Velocity lifting, so don't be surprised to see some of that snow mounting up at a good clip. Let us know how it's going where you live! Email us some pictures, or even just send us an update on the snow at your place.

1:00 PM - Checking some of the 6-hour snowfall totals in central Pennsylvania can give us a good indication of the kind of intensity we may be looking for as this system spreads to the east. Right now, the numbers show some good 1" per hour returns:

Montoursville, PA    6.0"   (6-hour total ending 11:45AM)
Muncy, PA             6.0"   (6-hour total ending 11:45AM)
Montgomery, PA     6.0"   (6-hour total ending 11:30AM)
Watsontown, PA     5.0"   (6-hour total ending 11:45AM)

This sort of intensity is brought about by strong vertical air motion. This lifting feeds the clouds and frees the snow. Taking a look at the current Vertical Velocity map (negative numbers in blue is vertical air motion), it's easy to note the strong upward motion of air over Pennsylvania. This same signature should set up here locally later in the day. Another thing to note, is the near downward motion of air over New England. This is due to colder air sinking down from Canada (cold air is more dense, so it always slides underneath warmer air when it moves). You can see that southward leakage of cold air pretty well on the current Wind Streamline map.

12:30 PM - Light snow has started in Springfield. Now we can see how long until the accumulating begins.

12:00 PM - Snow is moving in now into Berkshire county, though the snowfall does seem to leak forward more toward the south than up north. The Albany WebCam is currently not seeing flakes (that's sure to change soon), though virtually all the real-time cameras in New York City are filled with snow. Current Temperatures show everyone in the upper 20s, but down toward Hartford and Meriden, readings approaching 30 throws in the question as to whether or not they'll get some sleet mixing in. The bulk of the moisture will be heading through there, so they have the best shot at the 'snowball' snow. Up to the north, north of Route 2, there will be less moisture available for snow with this event, however given the colder temperatures, the drier snow will fluff up a lot more, resulting in similar total amounts when measured by the ruler.

You can watch continually updating maps and weather information on our 24/7 weather-stream "WeatherNow" ...and certainly feel free to comment, send pictures, and reports about what's going on in your area. This is the best way for everyone to see what's going on in places that may not get reported about as much.

This compact snow event is definitely the biggest problem for travelers, and not expected to cause massive power outages or the sort of hazards seen with the locally severe ice storm of last week. You should be able to handle what this storm brings simply by keeping the shovel and the rock salt handy. However, just for reference, CBS 3 Springfield maintains a full list of winter safety tips, available by going here.

11:00 AM - The light snow is starting now to show up on Doppler Radar, and eventually will fill in the whole area. Current Snowfall Forecast Maps for the area still indicate a healthy 6"- 10" accumulation swath, with more in the mountains, so that can only mean there's going to be a few hours later on where it's really coming down. Out to the west, there is a bit more sleet/icing being reported than expected, but that could simply mean more juice is being put into the system than earlier anticipated. Current 3-hour Pressure trends indicate things are still on track for storm movement, so make sure your traveling needs are just about done. Current observations in Pennsylvania indicate about an hour or so after the snow starts, heavier snows move in and really lower visibilities. At this point, there's no reason not to expect the same.

10:00 AM - This is the first entry for the approaching snow event for December 19th, 2008. This will be updated periodically as warranted. You can also get continuously updated information running live 24-hours a day, 7-days per week on "WeatherNow" (also running on Comcast Cable channel 293). Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for all of Western Massachusetts, through to early morning Saturday.

This storm system that we're going to be confronted with is eerily similar to the December 13th event of a year ago. You can see what transpired there on the 12/13/2007 Storm Blog to get an idea of what we're talking about. Keep in mind many of the links on that blog refer to live action maps, and as such they're not going to show properly for that date, but the discussion is still valid and relevant. Currently, on the Regional Radar/Satellite Map, the bulk of the snows are still off to our west, but should be starting here in the next couple hours. From the Current Conditions list (updated every hour), you can see that temperatures region-wide are considerably cold enough to support snowfall, so we're looking pretty much at frozen precipitation throughout the event. The current timing of the heaviest snows line up with the evening commute (which is precisely why emergency management officials want to avoid the magnitude of travel hassles of last years debacle). You should make sure most of your driving activities are wrapped up by around lunchtime.