Capital Region News & Weather Center By Brent McGrady

7 State workers win $319 million Mega Millions jackpot

2011-03-27T23:57:36Z

Fox News has confirmed that 7 New York state employees from the Department of Homes and Community Renewal have won Friday's Mega Millions jackpot. All seven work in the IT department at DHCR.

The workers bought several Quick Pick tickets from Coulson's News Center in downtown Albany. The store's owner, Steve Hutchins, 63, will get a $10,000 bonus from the state Lottery for selling the winning ticket.

If they were to take the payout of $202 million, after taxes - 25 per cent or $50.7 million to the government and 8.97 per cent, or $18.2 million to the state - the workers will split $134 million to get $19.1 million each.

The winning numbers in Friday's draw were: 22-24-31-52-54, with a Mega ball of 4.

Image Credit: Associated Press

Winter hanging on as cold continues

2011-03-26T15:17:51Z

The winter of 2010-2011 just won't go away. After the harsh winter that we have had in the northeast, cold and brisk conditions continue into late March now as a stubborn weather pattern will hold over the Capital Region through early next week. And don't think April will be any different as chilly temperatures will hold with a chance at some snow by midweek. Yes, that's right...more snow, MAYBE!

]]> Some of the latest computer models are hinting at a chance of some snow as an area of low pressure moves through on Wednesday night. We could be looking at some snow for the Thursday morning drive as well as the opening of Jumpin Jacks in Scotia on March 31st. There are some differences in the computer models, but they sure don't tell us any sign of spring within at least the next week.

If you have any questions, feedback, or comments, please e-mail me or comment below. I can also be found on Facebook if you would like to connect with me.

Image credits: AccuWeather.com

Spring arrives with snow and more IS on the way

2011-03-21T13:05:56Z

You may have awaken this morning and looked at your calendar realizing that today is the first day of spring. And you would be correct because with the vernal equinox last evening at 7:21 PM, spring did officially arrive. But then you may have looked out your window and become rather confused. Yes, that is snow falling out your window, it is not an evil joke.

]]> A quick moving storm system will drop a few inches of snow on the region this morning, with up to 8 inches possible in some of the highest elevations above 1500 feet, especially in the Adirondacks. Here around Albany, expect just an inch or two before some rain starts to mix in later this afternoon.

But is today winter's last gasp? Well not really. The messenger says that another winter storm will impact the region on Wednesday and into early Thursday with moderate snow accumulations a good possibility. It looks to then remain rather cold and chilly right into our weekend. Sorry for the bad news, but blame the groundhog!

If you have any questions, feedback, or comments, please e-mail me or comment below. I can also be found on Facebook if you would like to connect with me.

Image credits: AccuWeather.com

Daylight savings time has resumed

2011-03-13T15:36:05Z

Just a friendly reminder on this late winter Sunday morning/afternoon, if it seems like you are late for everything so far today, you probably forgot to change your clocks forward one hour last night.

At 2:00 AM this morning, we lost one hour as Daylight Savings Time resumed. Yes, it sure stinks that we lost an hour of precious sleep, but there is one benefit to this changing of the time. The sunset in Albany tonight is 6:58 PM and Spring is right around the corner. The Vernal Equinox is on March 20th. Hopefully some warmer weather is in the forecast for these Spring days ahead.

If you have any questions, feedback, or comments, please e-mail me or reply below. I can also be found on Facebook if you would like to connect with me.

Image credits: AccuWeather.com

More rain headed to the Capital Region

2011-03-04T23:25:10Z

A slow moving storm system and associated frontal boundary will march toward the Capital Region this weekend, bringing a round of heavy rain that may present some flooding problems, before ending as snow on Monday.

While most of Saturday will remain showery and mild, the heavy rain will move in on Saturday night and into Sunday as the cold front slowly moves east across the region. Things will then get interesting as a wave of low pressure develops along the front to our south on Sunday and tries to push some additional precipitation north into the cold air, which may fall in the form of snow. Significant accumulations are possible!

If you have any questions, feedback, or comments, please e-mail me or reply below. I can also be found on Facebook if you would like to connect with me.

Image credits: AccuWeather.com

More light snow into Sunday followed by flooding rains

2011-02-27T00:55:02Z

A weak clipper system will move through the Capital Region overnight and into Sunday morning, bringing a round of light snow with some minor accumulations possible.

A winter weather advisory has been issued for northern portions of the Capital Region through Sunday morning for 3 to 8 inches of snow, with the greatest amounts in the higher elevations of the southern Adirondacks and in the western Mohawk Valley. All other areas will see a general 2 to 4 inches.

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With a deep snowpack in place and frozen ground and ice lodged rivers, flooding could become a serious problem in the region, especially near bodies of water and in poor drainage urban areas. Warmer temperatures will only exacerbate the situation with a rapid melting of the snow pack and possible ice jams on area rivers.

As the low pressure moves west of the region late in the day, a second round of heavier rain will move in late in the day and into Monday night. There could even be a rumble or two of thunder as some convection develops in the precipitation shield.

As the system pulls away Monday night and into early Tuesday morning, the rain could end as a brief period of snow with colder temperatures returning for Tuesday afternoon.

Remember your safety tips for flooding! It is never advised to drive or walk through a flooded roadway, simply turn around and find an alternate route. Also, as flood waters rise you should move to higher ground immediately. If you are in a flood prone area, you should prepare now.

If you have any questions, feedback, or comments, please e-mail me or reply below. I can also be found on Facebook if you would like to connect with me.

Image credits: AccuWeather.com

Winter weather advisory for 3-6 inches of snow on Monday

2011-02-21T01:19:26Z

The National Weather Service in Albany, NY has issued a winter weather advisory from midnight tonight through 3 PM Monday for the Greater Capital District, Mohawk Valley, Schoharie Valley, Saratoga region, southern Green Mountains of Vermont, eastern Catskills, mid-Hudson Valley, Taconics, Berkshires, and Litchfield Hills in Connecticut.

Winter Weather Advisory - grey shading.

Winter Storm Warning - blue shading.

]]> Snowfall accumulations of 3 to 6 inches of snow are expected in the northern portion of the advisory with 4 to 8 inches in the higher elevations of the Catskills. Snow will fall through the early afternoon on Monday with snow covered roadways and poor visibilities likely to create hazardous travel, especially for the morning commute which may be lighter than normal anyway due to the Presidents' Day holiday.

Here is my snowfall accumulation map for the Capital Region:

Dry and cold weather will be in store for Tuesday as an area of high pressure moves into the region. It does look to remain stormy into next weekend though, so stay tuned!

If you have any questions, feedback, or comments, please e-mail me or reply below. I can also be found on Facebook if you would like to connect with me.

Image credits: AccuWeather.com & Brent McGrady

Winter hanging on by a thread

2011-02-12T01:05:31Z

The cold and snowy weather of the 2010-2011 winter season is hanging on by a thread across the Capital Region as a warming trend builds across the rest of the nation into this weekend.

A series of clipper systems will move through over the weekend, the first one on Saturday. Each system will be moisture starved with not much snow falling, except for an inch or two in the higher elevations of the Adirondacks.

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A last shot of cold air will move in for Tuesday as the clipper departs, but the warmth will continue to build north and is poised to move into the region by mid-week.

We will finally get a little bit of a thaw as temperatures warm into the 40's for several days through the end of next week, allowing some melting to take place.

This welcome change in the weather will feel incredibly warm compared to what we have been dealing with for most of the winter season. Get ready for it now and enjoy it as it certainly will not last forever.

If you have any questions, feedback, or comments, please e-mail me or reply below. I can also be found on Facebook if you would like to connect with me.

Image credits: AccuWeather.com

Another minor snow event before the cold returns

2011-02-07T01:15:34Z

Seasonable temperatures have made a return to the region, making for a rather pleasant end to our weekend. It won't last long though as yet another storm system will approach the Capital Region late Monday and into Tuesday morning, bringing a mix of rain and snow at first, transitioning over to all snow on Monday night with some minor accumulations on the order of a few inches by Tuesday morning.

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High temperatures will return to below normal levels in the 20's with overnight lows dropping close to 0. This air mass will gradually moderate by the end of the week, with seasonable temperatures returning for the Valentine's Day weekend. A pattern shift could mean even warmer temperatures, potentially well above average, into next week so stay tuned!

Here is my 7-Day extended forecast for Albany, New York:

If you have any questions, feedback, or comments, please e-mail me or reply below. I can also be found on Facebook if you would like to connect with me.

Image credits: AccuWeather.com & Meteorologist Brent McGrady

After one storm departs, another will approach for our weekend

2011-02-03T04:19:41Z

After a complex storm system that impacted the region over the last two days quickly moves away, it certainly will not be the last hurrah of winter, contrary to what the groundhog says.

The latest storm did not exactly live up to its original hype thanks to several complicated factors, but certainly added about another foot or so to the already deep snowpack across the Capital Region, and yet even more is on the way for this weekend.

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And with the storminess comes more cold air. Even though temperatures will moderate into the weekend to near seasonable levels in the low to mid 30's, another bitter blast of cold air will be waiting in the wings to our west. This air mass looks to move into the region behind another storm system slated to impact the region on Tuesday.

Temperatures will return to below normal values by the middle of next week with rumors that an even larger storm could be on the way for the end of next week...BUT we have two storms to get through before that one even gets here.

So the basic theme is a storm every two to three days to impact the Capital Region right into the Valentine's Day weekend. Better make plans now to enjoy some indoor activities and maybe even cuddle up with your sweetheart on Cupid's day.

Here is my 7-Day extended forecast for Albany, New York:

If you have any questions, feedback, or comments, please e-mail me or reply below. I can also be found on Facebook if you would like to connect with me.

Image credits: AccuWeather.com & Meteorologist Brent McGrady

More cold and storms headed to Capital Region

2011-01-29T22:04:29Z

After a series of clippers raced across the northeast into this weekend with nothing more than a few scattered flurries and snow showers, another shot of arctic air will be ushered into the Capital Region to end our weekend.

The real arctic blast will come in for Monday and Tuesday, as high temperatures will struggle to reach 20 degrees, with overnight low temperatures dropping into the single digits and even below zero in the colder spots.

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This northerly movement will draw warm and moist air northward and over the colder air, which will set the table for a potential significant winter weather event for the Capital Region into mid-week.

The storm will actually spread a wide swath of snow, freezing rain, and sleet across much of the nation, affecting hundreds of millions of people. It is too early to determine where the heaviest icing and snow accumulation will occur, but it is looking like a rather significant event is in store for many people. Make your preparations now, as the latest computer models are hinting at yet another potential storm into next weekend, which could potentially track up the east coast right behind the mid-week storm!!

If you have any questions, feedback, or comments, please e-mail me or reply below. I can also be found on Facebook if you would like to connect with me.

Image credits: AccuWeather.com

Wind chill watch issued for parts of region

2011-01-22T22:02:39Z

A wind chill watch has been issued for parts of the Capital Region in anticipation of dangerously cold wind chills set to impact the area late on Sunday night into Monday morning.

A weak clipper system will move through the region overnight bringing some light snow and flurries, but the biggest story will be the reinforcing shot of arctic air behind the system for Sunday and Monday.

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With air temperatures ranging from 5 to 30 degrees below zero on Monday morning, it is very important that you bundle up and cover all extremities very well because frost bite can occur in only a matter of minutes when temperatures are this low. Use caution outdoors and limit your time outside. Also make sure that your pets are not left outdoors during this bitter cold spell.

If you have any questions, feedback, or comments, please e-mail me or reply below. I can also be found on Facebook if you would like to connect with me.

Image credits: AccuWeather.com

Another nor'easter to impact Capital Region

2011-01-10T01:27:21Z

Yet another winter storm, this time a nor'easter, will impact the Capital Region into the middle of the week as a complex weather pattern unfolds.

A storm in the Deep South of the United States will emerge off the North Carolina coast on Tuesday and merge with an upper level low pressure system moving east from the Ohio Valley. The two systems will combine to bring a significant snowfall to the Capital Region by late Tuesday and into Wednesday.

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A significant and rather disruptive snowfall of 6 or more inches is certainly possible, which could create travel disruptions and school closings. While the exact track of the surface low is not known at this time, the strength of an upper level trough moving through the Ohio Valley will ultimately determine how close to the coast the low tracks. If the trough is stronger and digs deeper, the low center will be pulled closer to the coast and the heaviest snow would then fall in the immediate Capital Region. There is still plenty of time to monitor this developing weather situation, but just be prepared for the possibility of a significant disruption to your mid-week plans if things pan out right for the Capital Region.

If you have any questions, feedback, or comments, please e-mail me or reply below. I can also be found on Facebook if you would like to connect with me.

Image credits: AccuWeather.com

Long duration snow event setting up for Capital Region

2011-01-06T21:57:36Z

A long duration snow event is setting up for Friday afternoon through Sunday morning in the Capital Region. A clipper low moving out of the Great Lakes will transfer energy to a coastal low and an inverted trough (Norlun trough) will extend through the Capital Region focusing a band of heavy snow just to its northeast.

A winter storm watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for the entire region for potential accumulations of up to 9 inches that could create significant travel disruptions.

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The snow will become moderate to heavy at times by Friday afternoon, with snow continuing into Friday night and much of Saturday. Due to the long duration of the event, snow accumulations will pile up over time and certainly bring a plowable snowfall to the entire region.

Some leftover snow showers and flurries will gradually end on Saturday night, with strong winds developing that could create some blowing and drifting of snow. Another storm threatens by late Tuesday and into Wednesday...stay tuned!

If you have any questions, feedback, or comments, please e-mail me or reply below. I can also be found on Facebook if you would like to connect with me.

Image credits: AccuWeather.com

After a brief thaw to welcome new year, seasonable temperatures will return

2011-01-01T22:12:07Z

A brief thaw to welcome 2011 across the Capital Region brought the warmest temperatures in quite awhile. Saturday's high temperature of 48 degrees in Albany was the warmest since December 13th, when the high temperature was 47 degrees. But a cold front moving through the region tonight with some rain showers will bring more seasonable temperatures in the 30's back to the region. The mild air will be pushed offshore and replaced by a colder northwesterly flow of air from Canada.

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A few features will have to be watched by mid-week and into next weekend. A weak clipper system coming down through the Great Lakes on Wednesday may spread some light snow to northern parts of the region, while a large upper level low pressure over Canada will try to work southward, along with a piece of energy trying to shoot up the coast from the southern stream of the jet by the end of the week. While the pattern is not very favorable for large storms right now, a few minor events could give us some light accumulating snowfall by next weekend.

By mid-January, another surge of arctic air is poised to head south into the middle of the nation and spread eastward. With the cold air in place, storm systems will have to be watched as the moisture will attempt to interact with the cold air and bring snow. Stay tuned as it could get rather cold and stormy around here by the middle of the month!

If you have any questions, feedback, or comments, please e-mail me or reply below. I can also be found on Facebook if you would like to connect with me.

Image credits: AccuWeather.com