Don't blame the weatherman...I'm late in posting his forecast.(-rg) MIDDAY UPDATE - TUESDAY - FEBRUARY 5TH Big Nor'Easter/winter storm is on the way for Friday. Over the last few days, computer forecast guidance has converged on the idea of a big coastal storm for Friday and Friday night.  Although some key elements for a big winter storm are present, there are also some things working against seeing a lot of snow for our area.  The strength of the storm, the amount of precipitation and precipitation type are all dependent on the ultimate strength and phasing of a piece of energy in the northern jet with energy in the southern jet stream.  The northern energy will be moving through northern Ohio and western New York State on Thursday night.  Meanwhile southern stream energy will be moving towards the Carolina coast.  Surface low pressure to our west will weaken and redevelop off the Outer Banks and deepen rapidly and move toward Cape Cod on Friday and Friday night. The low to our west will transport warm air into the region so initially precipitation will start as rain on Friday morning.  As the coastal low takes over, winds will switch to the north and colder air will be drawn back into the region.  This should change the rain to heavy wet snow...from north to south across the state.  The amount of snow will be dependent on the ultimate track and time of transfer to the coastal low, but even with the precipitation starting as rain, there could be significant amounts of snow Friday afternoon and Friday night. Strong northeast winds will accompany the storm.  There could be some coastal flooding at high tide, but the degree of flooding should be held in check due because winds will not be due east and the storm will be a relative quick mover. Will be fine tuning the forecast over the next few days as we get closer the event.