Athena or ‘no name’ storm battering the Northeast; all quiet here for now

The rain in New York City has become mixed with and changing to snow this evening. Here's the latest statement from the National Weather Service in New York.

341 PM EST WED NOV 7 2012

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EST

THURSDAY...

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* LOCATIONS...NEW YORK CITY AND HUDSON...EASTERN BERGEN...

EASTERN ESSEX...EASTERN UNION...AND SOUTHERN WESTCHESTER

COUNTIES.

* HAZARD TYPES...SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS...SNOW ACCUMULATION OF 2 TO 4 INCHES.

* WINDS...NORTH 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 60 MPH.

* VISIBILITIES...ONE QUARTER TO ONE HALF MILE AT TIMES.

* TEMPERATURES...IN THE LOWER TO MID 30S.

* TIMING...THE HEAVIEST SNOW WILL OCCUR THROUGH THIS EVENING.

* IMPACTS...A COMBINATION OF SNOW...GUSTY WINDS...AND TEMPERATURES

AROUND FREEZING COULD MAKE TRAVEL DIFFICULT AT TIMES. THIS

COMBINATION ALSO COULD BRING DOWN TREES AND POWER

LINES...RESULTING IN POWER OUTAGES.

Precipitation has been falling since midmorning, with winds gusting to over 35 mph at times in New York and Long Island.

Radar image captured at 410 p.m. EST. Heavy snow was falling in Central Park at 4 p.m. EST.

Source: Weather underground

Snowfall totals expected in the next 12 hours from NWS New York.

The pressure pattern analyzed by NOAA's Storm Prediction Center shows the circulation center of the lowest pressure well off the coast.

3 p.m. EST surface pressure pattern of the tight circulation of the storm. The system is expected to slowly move northeast and weaken.

Weather is business and a number of private services are highly trained specialists to provide specific weather details to clients. You are familiar with The Weather Channel. Earlier this season they announced when a winter storm reaches a certain criteria they will bestow a name.

The Weather Channel named this storm off the East Coast Athena. Local NWS offices were informed not to use this name when referencing this storm in statements and warnings:

"TWC HAS NAMED THE NOR'EASTER 'ATHENA.' THE NWS DOES NOT NAME

WINTER STORMS IN OUR PRODUCTS. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM USING THE TERM 'ATHENA' IN ANY OF OUR PRODUCTS."

Makes for an Interesting side story. Forecast accuracy to enhance public safety is a priority with the NWS, working with emergency and public officials.

Closer to home, the Twin Cities enjoyed a brief period of sunshine today. Ninety minutes of sun did little to boost the thermometer. Temperatures held mostly in the middle 40s through the afternoon hours.

Not much in the way of precipitation is expected in Minnesota through Friday. Temperatures will be at or near normal. Highs in the 40s to lower 50s with overnight lows in the upper 20s and 30s.

The storm we have been anticipating for the weekend does not appear to be as potent on the last computer run from the NAM. We still expect a nice warmup on Saturday for southern MInnesota. Precipitation totals do not look very significant in the Twin Cities

NAM forecast for Saturday. Pressure pattern and precipitation at 3 p.m. CST. Our best chance for precipitation may come with the blast of colder air Saturday night. Source:NOAA/College of Dupage.

The National Weather Service in Grand Forks will track this storm to evaluate the potential for wintry weather in eastern North Dakota on Saturday.

A big drop in temperatures is in store for Sunday. Very chilly air blankets the state of Minnesota on Monday.

Sunday's much colder maximum temperatrures.

Craig Edwards