A look at what we’re watching behind the scenes. Several of the models are throwing around the idea of tropical development over the next 48 hours. Hurricane hunter aircraft will head into the wave this afternoon, that is (as of MON A.M.) approx. 300 miles south of Jamaica.

Several models have it developing tropically. It would become “Sandy.” However, the GFS and the EURO have some major disagreements on the track. 

The GFS has the storm developing and staying out to sea, making the typical U-turn in the Atlantic. This is the most likely scenario for now.

However, it’s the EURO we’re watching closely due to the proximity to the east coast depicted in some of the latest runs. A look at the size and power suggested by the model (see graphic above) is quite impressive. Which, based on early model runs, would bring significant wind to southwest Virginia even with the storm off the coast.

Obviously, we are WAY too early in the game to make an accurate prediction.  Just wanted to show what some of the models are projecting, and to let you know what meteorologists across the eastern U.S. are watching behind-the-scenes as we start the week.

As you can see by the Spaghetti Model Plot (lots of model tracks on one graphic), there is a very wide spread of where this storm could go.

If the EURO verifies (is accurate), this would be a storm of historic proportions, bringing a major hurricane into places like New York and wrap cold air on the backside of it with snow in some areas of the northeast.

We’ll monitor this through the week, although it wouldn’t become an issue for the Mid Atlantic until late in the weekend or early next week. 

Stay tuned and have a great Monday.