A centrifugal blower assembly includes a scroll wall, a pair of opposing sidewalls, and a cutoff plate. The scroll wall is positioned between the pair of opposing sidewalls such that the scroll wall and opposing sidewalls together define a blower chamber and a blower outlet. The scroll wall extends circumferentially between a cutoff point to an end point and defines a cutout extending circumferentially from the cutoff point. The scroll wall, the pair of opposing sidewalls, and the cutoff point define a blower outlet, wherein the blower outlet defines a blower outlet area. The cutoff plate extends circumferentially from the end point. The cutoff plate defines a notch defining a notch area, the notch area and the blower outlet area define a total blower outlet area, wherein the notch includes a center portion that defines a portion of an elliptical shape.