Although we’ve already had some snow this fall, today marks the first snow of meteorological winter.

Let’s call it an amuse bouche, (that’s a small hors d’oeuvres  to awaken the palate). Today’s weather system is indeed small, but it only takes a bit of snow to create issues on the roads. The timing during the morning commute makes this the real reason it’s even an issue.

Since temperatures fell to subfreezing levels overnight and Sunday wasn’t very warm you can definitely expect to see the snow sticking on untreated surfaces.  No doubt many of us are going to see the lawn become covered by snow and you will be shoveling this afternoon.  This is more than a dusting, but not a big storm.

This won’t be our permanent snow cover in Greater Portland.  My eighth-grade teacher, Mr. Chambers, used to tell me that came around Christmas each year and he’s generally correct.  It’s a bit early for the grass to disappear and some of  this will melt in the coming days.  Even if we see some more snow before Christmas, there will be many above-freezing days between now and then as well.

Today’s weather is caused by a weak system moving across the area within the jet stream.  This system doesn’t have a lot of moisture with it, but it does have enough to bring some snow.

The highest snowfall amounts will occur over southern Maine and perhaps even around Portland itself.  Up to 3 inches can fall.  Of course some spots might be under that amount, but I don’t expect more than that.   Typical December snowfall is between 10 and 16 inches in most of the region.

Sunshine returns Tuesday with seasonably chilly air.  One more weather system brings some light rain and snow midweek.  This doesn’t appear to be significant, just nuisance stuff.

The coldest air of the season arrives this weekend.  The ground is going to continue to freeze as temperatures stay under the 32 mark for at least a day or two.

You can follow my weather updates on Twitter at @growingwisdom.

 

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