Canceled

Our Tornado Watch was canceled...the squall line moved through a while ago, and any threat for severe storms now but a memory.

TORNADO WATCH FOR ACA

A TORNADO WATCH was just issued for Haywood County through 8pm this evening.  Currently there are a couple of tornado warnings near Knoxville, but the storm line is NOT moving perpendicular to the NC border at this time.  Rather, it's moving kinda sorta parallel to I-81 in east TN (running SW to NE), which is a little bit of good news.  


The Knoxville storms are of no threat directly to us; however, a batch of storms near Chatanooga is, but still a good ways from us.


Per prior post I made yesterday, tornadoes are rare in the mountains due to topography, but suffice it to say it will be a humdinger line when it comes through, if not actually over our heads then it will be close by.  Batten down your hatches and know all will be a done deal well before midnight.


bob

Ah, sweet warmth! And storms....

I think I speak for all of us that this extended break from cold and snow in ACA is a godsend.  Do want to give you a 'heads-up' for the potential for severe storms here Monday afternoon...so it appears.


Tornadoes are rare in the mountains, in large part due to the broken topography.  With that said, they are still possible for short distances, and there is a potential concern for large hail and flat-out damaging wind gusts.  For ACA, our t-storm threat is biggest Monday afternoon, with the incoming storm system probably manifesting itself in a squall line for western NC, as opposed to isolated cells here and there.  Basically, when it comes through, we'll all know it.

Nothing we can do about it except be aware...mild temps will be with it, so t'will be wise to shut any open windows and such.  I think of potential power outages, which leads me to think of how great Progress Energy is about addressing outages and getting them fixed here.  Even though Duke Energy has bought them out for a change-over later this year, I'm told the great reporting system and website will be maintained.


Just FYI, if you don't know already, the automated # to report an outage is: 1-800-419-6356.  The website to access an outage map is HERE. You'll need to mouse over to the Asheville area and hone in on ACA to read outage data/map.  When I lose power, I make sure I power down my laptop to save power to use it as I can, and make sure cell phone is charged in advance.


Hard to believe March is around the corner, but that holds many good blessings...and excited hopes of seeing our wonderful wildflower displays soon!


Bob

salt

I have spoken with Larry and we decided to have him put down some salt before the snow tonight. John

WEATHER: Round #2 this week

I write this before 7pm Tuesday...within 24 hours there could be some light snow, with a better surge around midnight Wednesday into Thursday for several hours.  Originally this system was looking potent, but for myriad reasons I won't go into here, it's not nearly as onerous.


1-3", 3" up high and 1" down low.  Thursday AM commute issues for Apple Creek Road, like this last dropping.  Models have been in agreement for several runs.  I buy it.


One interesting thing I've noted this winter is how much ACA changes above the Blue Roof house....akin to the 3500' elevation.  I drove up today in my front wheel drive and had to go to chains in the middle of the snow/ice-covered double hairpin curves.  Amazing how 1.5" of slick snow can cause problems for us, especially in our shaded stretches of roads.


After this next storm clears out later Thursday, get ready for sunshine and warming temperatures.  By Monday we should see temps in the 55-58 range for highs...."I'll take a dozen of those, please."

WEATHER this week

I've held off posting this because the Wed-Thu storm is all over the board...which leads me to think whatever we'll get may well be a whimper, which would suit us all fine.  This afternoon's showers will likely turn over to snow after dark, but the 'likely' chances last only until midnight before things tail off.  An inch or less, I suspect. Tuesday morning lows will be well down in the 20s, so what accumulation falls will still be there, so heads up for Tuesday AM commutes down the mountain.


The Wed-Thu storm system is still quite 'iffy' on many levels.  Both the NAM and GFS keep us 1-3" or 2-4" on most runs, though the NAM went hogwild overnight and gave us 8".  Compare that to this morning's GFS run which has the system falling apart before it gets here, with a minimal snow (1" or so). Clear as mud, it is. I'll update later in the day Tuesday.


bob

WEATHER: Freezing Rain Advisory

Been a crazy day at the forecast office.  Although my duties this week have been for the Triad market, the Charlotte market forecast started showing uncomfortable trends this morning, and now the National Weather Service has hoisted a Freezing Rain Advisory for ACA through 6pm Friday (a bit late in the day to end, but it's an across-the-board thing).


Precip starts this evening, albeit very light in nature, and intermittent, with temps above freezing...and at some point overnight go below freezing (before midnight, I'd guess).  Temps should go back above 32 later Friday morning (hopefully), and the bigger push of precipitation should come right at sunrise, the coldest time period.  The timing of the rain, time of day, and temperature is what is joining up to make this messy forecast.  


Obviously, the least little ice accumulation can cause a problem, so the first heads-up early Friday will be to check your deck, steps, and leaves/vegetation for ice as they will coat well before roads will.  The eastern edge of the Blue Ridge (not ACA) could see some locations get up to 0.25" ice, per the NWS, a damaging amount for sure....if it happens.  Ultimately, it becomes all rain and these concerns vanish.  Light snow on the backside is possible Saturday, but no accumulation.