A minor event, but a white covering nonetheless is expected tonight, ending in the wee hours of the morning Friday. Any travel troubles would be momentary as highs Friday get well above freezing. Too, the ground will still be warm to aid in lack of accumulation on the roads, but models are all running a trace/dusting down low to up to 1-inch in upper ACA. A minor March Madness, to be sure.
Bob
High winds, heavy rains, and possible lightning should blow through more specifically around 230-430am, and our chances of a power outage are pretty good....to the effect of I've charged all of my emergency lights and put some water in the bathtub for flushing, just in case.
For ACA, though the winds and some minor wrap-around showers might continue early, the system moves east and out of our hair for a much-improving Sunday. And while this is a cold front, and Monday will be a good deal cooler, it's just the one day before we go back to chilly sunrises and pleasantly tepid afternoons.
Bob
Light snow started around 6am, but the forecast is pretty much the same. Only light accumulations are expected this morning, before a big lull this afternoon and only off and on snow showers. By this evening and overnight, a second round of snow, more of a NW flow, sets up shop, so if there are travel troubles it should be for the second round and Thursday AM.
Totals are rather minimal. The updated advisory is the same as it has been, the 1-3" of mostly snow with some sleet and freezing rain mixing in today, Wednesday. I'm driving in to work and expect to get home by 530pm or so.
The only thing I have been forgetting to add in is strong winds moving in early Thursday, which may well create power outages on what will be a very cold day.
Bob
There isn't any significant change to the forecast. Light snow should be falling by daybreak in the morning, but it's light and there may be some rain and sleet mixing in by late morning. Then a big break mid-day as dry air moves in, helping to melt any snow buildup. Roads warmed Tuesday, so I don't anticipate travel troubles, really, in the AM hours. Main roads have already been brined.
Wednesday evening and overnight, the backside deformation could instigate some solid NW flow snow showers, to where Thursday morning is a bigger concern for travel issues than Wednesday morning.
The overall idea is that amounts from this system are light, and the original 1-3" in the advisory is correct for ACA. Models simply aren't going for quantity. The biggest issue is how much sleet and rain mix in....keep in mind, slushy snow, even if just an inch, is exceptionally slippery, hence my concern on our mountain.
I'll update before heading in to work Wednesday morning. The most recent NWS bulleting is HERE.
Bob
Before I get going on the yucky Wednesday coming up, I will be making soon a big post on the situation with the washing out roadside just below the upper hairpin curve, which took a good hit with our recent heavy rains. It's a sticky wicket to say the least.
From 6am Wednesday through noon on Thursday, ACA is in a Winter Weather Advisory which you can read HERE. The Cliff Notes version therein is 1-3" of mostly snow with periods of sleet and freezing rain mixing in.
In poring over the various models, this isn't about the totals but the iciness that potentially will mix in. Ice is the great equalizer, but the NWS is forecasting only light glazing. I simply don't see any models nearing the 3" mark for ACA except the RDPS (if you must know the acronym, it's 'Regional Deterministic Prediction System'. You're welcome.)
This is all about timing and temperature. The high-end forecast is for ACA is 3-6", which as of 4am Accuweather was predicting a 49% chance for, and 47% for 1-3". Just a tiny tip one way or the other per temps and precip will have a big impact on totals.
Overall, this is a big event for Virginia, so areas closer to the VA border will have more accumulation. Even Charlotte will be getting a bit of snow, but there will be a warm nose that will try and work it's way in the SW Blue Ridge, which is a snow killer.
At this moment, the advisory seems to be spot on. Wording and forecasts will hone in throughout the day, and I'll update once I get home from work this evening.
Bob
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| Canvasback drake at Lake Junaluska |
From the frying pan into the fire we go. After yesterday's relative warmth and some melting (a relative term at my house), a Winter Storm Watch has been posted for ACA from Sunday AM through Monday AM. Possible heavy accumulations may fall, though the temperature may be like this morning as I type with heavy wet snow flakes falling with temps above 32. Inches of snow are possible, 1-3" low and 3-5" high.
You can read the official NWS forecast HERE.
As we've heard already, bitter, bitter cold moves in Monday through mid-week, ensuring that any snow/sleet/ice accumulations will go absolutely nowhere. In 17 years, the coldest I've recorded was minus 9 degrees, and some minus 0 readings are likely ahead.
All that to say batten down your hatches today. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is right around the corner. I suppose if there is any blessing to be had, it's that Monday is a holiday.
Bob
