Snowy IFR

Fresh snow! The first big snows of the year have hit the north central and northeast states this week, and have brought with them the usual obscuration that accompanies any precipitation. According to Thomas Sullivan (Northeast Weather Blog), a very January-like pattern has set up for the Northeast this week and there will be an enhancement of snow showers followed by a reinforcing shot of cold air and a reorganization of the lake effect activity.

This morning, 4F dispatchers issued a snowy IFR flight from Wilkes-Barre in Pennsylvania to Nantucket Memorial Airport in Massachusetts. For departure, you can lift off VFR because Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is reporting winds 350 at 10 knots, visibility 10 miles. Scattered clouds at 3000, broken 3700. Temperature 27F, dewpoint 12F - the wind chill is 16F.


KACK 191453Z 36022G31KT 2SM -SN BR SCT014 BKN022 OVC045 00/M02 A2991

As you can see above the METAR indicates that sometime enroute you'll want to pick up that IFR clearance. Nantucket is reporting winds 360 at 22 knots, gusting to 31 knots, visibility 2 miles in light snow and mist. Scattered clouds at 1400, broken 2200, overcast 4500. The temperature dewpoint spread is a little tighter too - with temperature 32F, dewpoint 28F, and relative humidity at 86 percent. Snow is likely to continue to fall until this afternoon as the skies clear, but look for gusty winds to continue through early evening.