Friday, December 24, 2010

WHITE CHRISTMAS: Update 3

Things that look pretty clear as we head into a White Christmas here in ACA:


Light snow starts after midnight, with small accumulation likely by sunrise. Snow showers occur all day, Christmas Day, then overnight, through Sunday and Sunday night, we get into a 50-50 situation of hit and miss snow shower bands.  This event will last a little longer than the initial 'looks'.


The expected snow totals are always like trying to nail down jello.  The GFS continues (overall) to keep us in a 3-5" band for the whole shebang.  However, it is keeping the Smokies in a 6-8" band, tops.  The NAM, which I'm liking a bit more, has a super-tight banding like the last storm, keeping ACA in this 2-3" band, but jumping up significantly in a very short distance to over 14" on the 6,000' peaks in the Smokies.  Even for I-40 at the TN line there could be 10+" of snow for this event.


I guess I can't help but to go with the NAM's overall pattern, but realize ACA is too close for comfort with the higher bands going 4-6".  Heaven forbid we pick up more than that....but for a storm total I favor a 2-4" snow for ACA down low, and increasing to the 5-6" range closer to our top elevation at 3900'.  Again, these amounts will be spread out over a 48-hour period, and we will not be having any freezing rain, etc., just snow.


As I post this around 8a, there are no official weather advisories hoisted yet...I'll add those with an update either this afternoon, or closer to supper time this evening.  


For the mood, click on the video below to watch Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas" in the 1942 film...one of those songs surely going through most everyone's head.  Enjoy.







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