Introduction

Abstract

This volume contains descriptions and analyses of over 100 snowstorms that provide the supporting foundation for volume I. The main goal of this volume is to provide the analyses to show how these important weather systems organize and evolve prior to and during the development of snowfall, or snowfall changing to rain, freezing rain, or ice pellets along the northeast coast of the United States. This comprehensive assortment allows the reader to assess and compare many cases, to observe any unique aspects a case may present, as well as identify similarities to other cases. Detailed examinations of one or two cases, although they can provide many important insights, have limited applicability in other situations with only superficial similarity. As noted throughout volume I, the evolutions of the surface and tropospheric conditions prior to and during these storms are difficult to generalize because of their case-to-case variability. Palme´n and Newton (1969, p. 273) emphasize this problem by stating, “Cyclonic disturbances appear in such diverse forms that it is impossible to give a description that is uniformly applicable to all cases.” Problems with compositing antecedent conditions for East Coast storms have also been cited by Brandes and Spar (1971).