6:00 PM - The snows around western Massachusetts continue to wane as moisture moves to the east. Most of the accumulating snow is wrapping up, though a few flakes will remain for the next few hours. More totals will be available in the final tallies, often not fully known until a few days after the event, but generally we've seen around 4"-6" of snow from this event, with a couple more inches toward the moutains, and maybe slightly less toward the southeast. Here are some recently reported amounts...

Winchester....                         10.5"
Savoy...                                      6.8"
Ahsfield...                                  6.5"
Litchfield, CT...                         4.0"
Southwick...                              4.0"

It's important to note, that as this system pulls away, it still will be deepening rapidly, and as such it will channel in some gusty winds, all of which will be funneling arctic air. Any unshoveled snow will be more of a pain tomorrow morning. Wind chills are expected to sink to near zero. Perhaps the most annoying part of this event, is that it still looks like rain is a possibility for Christmas Eve, which will make the most un-cool holliday bump-in-the-road ever...But the good news is, more than likely there's no getting rid of the white stuff entirely, so we can pretty much expect a White Christmas at this point!

Folks on the north and south shores should still be bracing for more snow, rain, and most importantly winds. Some low-lying areas may see some coastal flooding comparable to the arrival of a tropical system (this storm is pretty strong...now less than 988mb).

More than likely this will be the last note on this storm, as things are winding down from here. Check out our "Past Storms" page in the coming weeks for a final summary of this classic 'Noreaster event.

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.

5:00 PM - It appears this indeed is the last lobe of accumulating snows for this area, as the intensifying low pressure area continues to focus it's onslaught on the eastern shoreline. There's quite an amazing dynamic setting up that way, where temperatures on the coast are into the mid-30s, yet still in the teens in parts of Middlesex county with steady snow, as is shown by the Current Regional Temperature Map. Current Pressure continues to deepen, as this system is now approaching 990mb, which is obviously a pretty strong intensification since the last hour. It's main focus will become Downeast Maine, and the Massachusetts shoreline. Some more accumulation totals...

Arlington...                                  9.3"
Wilmington...                             8.8"
Albany, NY...                              6.3"
Blandford...                                5.0"
Easthampton...                         4.0"
North Otis...                                4.0"
Monson...                                   2.8"

Another thing to mention...You've been sending along storm reports and photos and such, which is great...But also put them up on YouNews, the interactive media wing of CBS 3 Springfield! You can post photos and videos, whether their from your cell phone, camera, or uploaded from the computer. Take a look at other's pictures and videos...and have a little fun!

4:00 PM - Snow is picking up a bit across the area, but by far the best snowfall totals are in the upslope communities in the Worcester hills, where that coastal front was able to push moisture upward, and temperatures remained cold. Some of the totals so far...

Shirley...                                      8.9"
Woburn...                                    7.5"
Lowell...                                      6.3"
Westhampton...                        4.0"
Monson                                      2.5"

The Current Pressure map shows a further strengthening low pressure center at the east tip of Long Island, NY dropping below 994 milibars...This would be similar to a moderate Tropical Storm, and indeed it's possible to see those kinds of winds across the eastern coast into the night.

3:00 PM - The smaller meso-scale low, with its uptick in snowfall intensity, is sliding eastward from New York into Massachusetts. This element of the storm complex whole will more than likely be responsible for the remainder of the accumulating snows we see from this event, barring any further push inland of the ocean-borne air. Nevertheless, it's still snowing good inside there, as is evident by the current Regional Radar/Satellite Map, and by the local maximum of Vertical Velocity. The Current 3-hour Pressure trends indicate continued strengthening of the storm system, but primarily focused in locations just to our east.

Some recent snowfall totals reported for the area indicate that more than likely we'll end up right in the 4"- 8" range by the conclusion of the event...

Fitchburg...                                 4.5"
Chicopee...                                4.0"
Athol...                                         4.0"
Enfield, CT...                              3.0"

Also, in the eastern-half of the state, some reports are coming in of wind/wet snow damage akin to the intensity of this storm (note: this storm is already stronger than the last one, even if it doesn't match fluffed up snow-totals on a ruler). Powerlines are reported down in Lexington, Peabody, and Dartmouth, Rochester, Marion, etc. etc. Also, a 53mph wind gust was reported in Lynn. The trees can hang real low with the weight of wet snow (vs. the fluffy stuff), and any slight breeze (or the gusts this storm brings) can cause breaks and damage.

Keep in mind that you can always 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.

2:00 PM - Light snow continues to fall in and around the area, and recent accumulation totals have come in, showing that we're at least half-way toward the low-end of the expected total snowfall range for this storm...

Moosup, CT...                            4.0"
Leverett                                      3.6"
Amherst                                     3.3"
Ashfield                                      3.2"
Windsor Locks, CT...               2.5"  (Bradley Airport)
Westfield                                    2.0"

Our storm system continues to intensify pretty strongly. In cyclogenesis (the development and strengthening of these kinds of storms), meteorologists usually look for a pressure drop of 1 milibar per hour as a sign of good intensification. On the Current Pressure Map, we're seeing this is more like 1-2 milibars/hour with this system. However, on this pressure map, we're also seeing a little kink towards higher pressure on the border of MA/NY, and right behind that, a kinking of lower pressure nuding down from the NY/VT border. This is certainly an interesting small-scale development, as snowfall is being pinched off toward the Pioneer Valley, but still pretty intense in Eastern New York. That lobe of moisture appears headed east, such that regardless of what this coastal low decides to do, we'll still get some good opportunities for snowfall later this afternoon.

Current Wet-Bulb temperatures show an increasing reality of a change-over to rain along the I-95 corridor. One last thing to note here: Despite any perceived lull in the snowfall locally, the Current Visibility in the flakes that are out there is still pretty low (less than a mile). Be careful if you're going to be traveling on the roads this afternoon.

1:00 PM - There appears to be a relative lull on the Current Regional Radar/Satellite Map, indicating some drier air working overhead. The hope is that this is temporary, as otherwise it would certainly lead to disappointing snowfall totals (or a stroke of good fortune for those who don't want to shovel again). Also, this same map is showing the heaviest precipitation continuing to hold together, but sliding to the east-northeast, rather than as much northward progression. The storm continues to intensify though, as the Regional 12-Hour Pressure trends map clearly shows the developing coastal low, and it's parent low over the Great Lakes. This parent low is responsible for much of the accumulating snows over the Adirondacks of New York, and it may be possible that it is actually working in the drier air, with the other possible culprit being downsloping (always drier) air flow coming inward from the marine boundary to the east.

Still, it's a pretty amazing temperature difference across the state of Connecticut, as this deepening low pressure battles cold Canadian air to the north. This can be seen on the Current Regional Temperature map.

Remember, you can always monitor the progression of storms like these through use of our continually updating Current Conditions maps, along with the local area webcams, and by tuning in to our Live 24/7 Weather-stream "WeatherNow", also running on Comcast Cable channel 293.

12:00 PM - The progression of the rain/snow line appears to be an important thing to watch today, as it's not sliding up the southern New England coastline. With the continued intensification of the low pressure center to our south, its range of influence, and the distances from which it can draw airflow into itself expands. A small coastal front has also developed in response to all this, showing as slight kinks in the pressure lines on the  Current Pressure map. This demonstrates the inward penetration of the boundary between ocean-borne air, and the cold Canadian presence entrenched across central and western Massachusetts. The current Wind Streamline map shows this onshore flow heading toward the Worcester Hills, whereafter the continued push of cold and from Canada wins out. The rain/snow line should be inching up the coastline, perhaps encouraging some mixing or a changeover altogether straight up I-95, and the Rt. 128 corridor.

Some early snowfall totals have come in...and some of this includes accumulations from early this morning, perhaps indirectly associated with the development of this storm...

West Chesterfield...             3.0"
Tolland, CT...                        2.6"
West Hartford, CT...             2.5"
Windsor Locks, CT...           1.2"  (Bradley Airport)

11:00 AM - A rain/snow line has become apparent in southern Connecticut. On the traffic cameras down that way, (available from on our Current Conditions page under "webcams")...It is still snowing on I-95 at Exit 43 (New Haven, CT), though it has changed to rain a few miles away from there, at Exit 36 in Milford, CT. Another good way to estimate precipitation type and rain/snow line is by looking at what is called the "Wet-Bulb Temperature". This measures the coldest temperature one can get by evaporation. It sort of gives a good assessment of the column of air overhead, taking more into account than what is just at the surface. The Current Wet-Bulb temperatures (with 32-degree line highlighted), shows the arrival of the rain/snow line to Bridgeport, CT; New Haven, CT; Newport, RI; Falmouth, MA, etc. etc.

Precipitation is looking fairly decent down there as well, with steady snows and steady rains lining up on the Regional Radar/Satellite Map. Another way to look at where some good precipitation would be falling would be to consider the Vertical Velocity map. This shows the upward/downward motion of air (upward is in the blue negative numbers). The best upward lift (in Southern Connecticut lines up well with the heaviest precipitation, which stands to reason. With more moisture being drawn in and up through the local cloud system, there will be the best letting down of precipitation. There's only so much that can be in one place at one time.

Always keep in mind during this event (and any other weather event for that matter), that we want to hear from YOU! Feel free to post a comment, or email in a snowfall total or weather report (they have been really helpful for us), and we love to receive any pictures of Winter Wonderlands or anything dealing with the event.

10:00 AM - The accumulating snowfall has entered the region now, so we will start seeing more show up on the driveways, sidewalks, and windshields. Fortunately, this is normally an easy day, so there's no real 'commute' that is of particular consequence.

Currently, the low pressure system is forming to our south. The National Surface Map has this just off the New Jersey coastline. The Current Surface Pressure map shows this as well. An interesting (an expected) element is taking shape on the south coast of Connecticut. There's a really tight temperature gradient down there, the Current Regional Temperature map showing readings near 40 approaching the shore, with temperatures barely above 20 not far inland. The Wind Streamline map shows the meeting up of the warmer Atlantic moisture riding up over the sagging colder air. It's also a recipe for sleet and freezing rain, unless there's enough warm air to scour out all the cold (then it would be just rain).

9:00 AM - This is the first entry for the Winter storm event of December 21st, 2008. This will be updated periodically as warranted. You can also get continuously updated weather 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 the evening hours tonight.

Current Conditions around the area still show a light snowfall, but the Regional Radar/Satellite Map map shows more concentrated moisture about to come on in. Temperatures at this stage are all cold enough to support snow, and accumulating snows should be returning to the area shortly. You can monitor this blog for updates and commentary on this storm, and even participate yourself by submitting comments, emailing pictures, or storm reports. Also, keep in mind all of the maps and products on our Current Conditions page, including the webcams, update continually, so that can offer a wealth of information for those who are interested.