Overnight Clipper System to Bring Light Snows to CT

I would like to begin this blog by pointing out that my forecast for last weekend's snowfall event was HORRIBLE...absolutely horrific. I completely dropped the bomb on it. As infuriating as it is to not only get a forecast wrong but to get the first snowfall event of the season wrong, these experiences are always used to further learn. When it comes to verifying snowfall forecasts, I like to look beyond the forecast numbers.  For example, let's say I forecast 2-4'' for CT and say that this 2-4'' is likely going to occur from banding that develops towards the end of the system.  Well CT for the most part gets 2-4'' but that 2-4'' didn't come from any banding at all.  Technically by the numbers I was correct, however, meteorologiclly I was not  In the end, an understanding of the science is just as important as a "forecast". Anyways, with this little rant done we are once again looking at some more snow. The snow will fall during the overnight hours and will mainly be light to at times moderate. However, due to the speed of the storm and lack of richer moisture, this system will not be as significant as last weekend.

As the evening progresses a fast piece of energy moving through the jet stream aloft (known as an Alberta clipper b/c it originates from the Provence of Alberta) will approach southern New England. This piece of energy is associated with moisture which it has acquired as it passed over the Great Lakes:

As the piece of energy slides south of southern New England it will acquire some additional moisture from both the Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. This will set the stage for a period of light to perhaps moderate snowfall during the overnight hours lasting through mid-morning or so tomorrow.  As the shortwave approaches we will see a window of rather decent mid-level and low-level forcing which will allow for moisture to become lifted well into the dendritic snowgrowth zone. This will work to produce those very large and fluffy snowflakes which will accumulate rather quickly:

What should we expect?

• Light snow begins to break out between 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM.
• Bursts of moderate snow will be possible between 5:00 AM and 8:00 AM.
• Snowfall rates could approach or briefly exceed 1/2'' per hour.
• Given the extend of the cold airmass, sufficient lift into the dendritic snowgrowth zone, and excellent snowgrowth expected, snowfall will be very fluffy with ratios as high as 15:1 to 20:1. 
• Snow will taper off between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
• Expect slow travel, especially for the early morning commute so extra time and caution should be taken when traveling.