Weather It Is (Winter Storm Warning, Wind Advisory)

There is still a bit of uncertainty in the forecast, but fortunately this uncertainty is small -- at least for tomorrow (Shabbat).

This afternoon will see a burst of weather activity, as strong storms enter along the northwest coast and move quickly towards the the central part of the country. These storms should bring heavy rain and hail.

There will be a slackening of the precipitation towards midnight, and at this point those of you waiting up to see the first real snowflakes of the year might just feel a bit disappointed. However, our weather models are telling us not to despair: late tonight and tomorrow cold air should sweep in changing the rain/sleet to snow at higher elevations.  The best chance in the center for accumulating snow will be from morning until afternoon in Gush Etzion, with the best chance for accumulating snow in Jerusalem in the afternoon.  Will the snow stick in Jerusalem -- hard to tell. Like many things in Jerusalem, it's a bit of Mazol.

The precipitation on Shabbat and Motzei Shabbat should be heaviest along the mountain ranges as moisture is lifted and cooled as it sweeps off the sea.

There is a greater than 50% chance that the temperatures will continue to be cold enough again for snow in the center into Sunday morning, and possibly for mixed snow and rain into the afternoon.

After a rise in temperature by mid-next week, the weather outlook turns very uncertain, with both warmer weather and much colder weather possible.

Shabbat Shalom,

Barry Lynn