Cochran's Ski Area Snow Report

777 FXUS61 KBTV 200649 AFDBTV Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Burlington VT 249 AM EDT Sun Sep 20 2026 .WHAT HAS CHANGED... As of 249 AM EDT Sunday... No significant changes made with this forecast package. && .KEY MESSAGES... As of 249 AM EDT Sunday... 1. Light rain and cool temperatures today, then a prolonged dry and seasonably cool weather stretch begins. 2. Dry weather persists through mid week, though we will need to monitor for increasing shower chances from Friday onward. && .DISCUSSION... As of 249 AM EDT Sunday... KEY MESSAGE 1: A widespread light rainfall event remains on track for today. There has been a slight trend towards less rainfall and shorter duration of rain, as well as lower chances for rain in the St. Lawrence Valley. That being said, the forecast generally is pretty consistent with observations so far early this morning. Moisture advection from the south and southwest, particularly from the surface up to 700 millibars, is occurring with a sharp gradient, while westerly mid-level/upper level is present. An inverted trough in northern New York and weak surface low sliding eastward across northern Pennsylvania will support modest southeasterly winds across the Champlain Valley and points east. Stratiform rain will blossom in northern New York and gradually expand east-northeastward this morning. During the afternoon, the area of rain will contract from west to east and towards the southeast as the 850 millibar trough axis and associated low level convergence and lift exits. Rainfall rates will be 0.01 - 0.05" for most of the event, but up to a few hours intensity will likely increase and reach the 0.1"-0.15" range (typically considered "moderate" rather than light). These moderate rainfall rates are favored from the Adirondacks eastward over most of northern Vermont at times from about 10 AM and 3 PM. As a result, event totals, as they would be for a winter weather event, are somewhat uncertain but should be mostly in the 0.25" to 0.5" range within much of the region. Temperatures today will generally be chilly in the low to mid 50s with thick clouds and rain for much of the day, and even cooler in portions of central/eastern Vermont due to the aforementioned upslope easterly component to the wind. It is a tricky hourly temperature forecast with large dependence on rainfall timing; as a result, there is potential for late day highs where rain ends early enough and morning highs in northern and eastern portions of Vermont prior to rain arriving. Tonight we`ll lock in some low clouds and patchy fog ahead of a moisture starved cold front arriving from the northwest. Once this boundary passes through, northerly flow will develop with some low clouds slow to clear out, especially in the vicinity of the higher terrain with moist 925-850 millibar air expected to linger into the day. Clouds should gradually scatter generally from north to south, leading to the beginning of a prolonged stretch of primarily clear skies. Fog chances in climo favored areas will begin high Tuesday, but tend to decrease each morning following days of drying after Sunday`s rainfall. Temperatures will remain below normal through Wednesday with the dominance of strong high pressure to our north supplying us with seasonably cool air. KEY MESSAGE 2: The blocking pattern will remain in place much of next week, with high pressure centered to our north while low pressure develops off the Mid Atlantic. While our weather will be pleasant, temperatures will likely remain below normal, with daytime highs mainly in the 60s. Clear skies and light winds will allow for chilly overnights, and patchy frost will be possible in the Adirondacks/eastern VT valleys each morning. While confidence has increased in the dry weather persisting through Thursday, low pressure meandering around off the East Coast will keep the threat of showers around as we head toward the weekend, especially in southern/eastern VT. Have stayed with the NBM/WPC forecast for Friday onward given the spread in model solutions for mid/late next week. && .AVIATION /06Z SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... Through 06Z Monday...VFR expected through 12Z under light winds with mid/high clouds slowly increasing through that time. Areas that remain clear have seen some patchy fog develop; MPV would be the most likely to be impacted through 08z or so until cloud deck moves overhead. Light rain will move into the region between 12-15Z and generally persist through late afternoon before tapering off by 22z. Conditions gradually lower to MVFR at most sites with exception being MSS which should remain largely VFR. Have opted to stay away from some of the more pessimistic guidance showing more widespread IFR ceilings tomorrow afternoon/evening given southeasterly flow regime, though will need to monitor for the potential beyond 06z Mon. Outlook... Monday: Mainly VFR, with local MVFR possible. NO SIG WX. Monday Night: VFR. NO SIG WX. Tuesday: VFR. NO SIG WX. Tuesday Night: VFR. NO SIG WX. Wednesday: VFR. NO SIG WX. Wednesday Night: VFR. NO SIG WX. Thursday: VFR. Slight chance SHRA. && .MARINE... As of 249 AM EDT Sunday... Expect south-southeast winds this morning to ramp up but remain below Lake Wind Advisory criteria, peaking around 9 AM just above 20 knots in the vicinity of Colchester Reef before settling into the 15-20 knot range during the rest of the day. Waves should build up to 3 feet. Following a lull in winds tonight, a favorable setup for well mixed northerly winds will develop for Monday when a Lake Wind Advisory may be needed. Waves could build up to 3 to 4 feet over the southern waters during the Monday morning period associated with these gusty north winds. && .BTV WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... VT...None. NY...None. && $$ WHAT HAS CHANGED...Kutikoff DISCUSSION...Hastings/Kutikoff AVIATION...Hastings MARINE...Kutikoff