This is a nuisance system coming in overnight, but the reason to take heed is the icy component of the wintry mix to fall overnight. This isn't so much about quantity...it could well be 2" of snow falls, but sleet, freezing rain, and rain will ultimately be mixing in, cutting accumulations. Too, the bulk of precipitation will be done by daybreak, so I'll know pretty quickly if we have troubles on the mountain.
It goes without saying that ice is the "great equalizer" as no vehicle can negotiate it, and we have some pretty relatively steep portions on Apple Creek Road. None of us need for our cars to turn into lead sleds.
The WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY (click link) goes from 7pm this evening through 10am Friday, for elevations above 3,500', what I call the upper half of Apple Creek. Should there be accumulating icy mix on the roads, ultimately temps warm above freezing and any early AM problems we might have should dispel as the day wears on Friday. This is one system where we let nature take it's course as any salting, etc, would be futile and a waste of $$.
Haywood County has been on the fringe of this advisory all along, as temps are borderline to having any ice accumulate at all. High pressure to the northeast will be pushing in the cold air, and models have been trending to slightly colder temps for us. The two major models are the EURO and the GFS...for several runs they were far apart, but the stingy and often correct Euro has since come over to the colder and 'mixier' side of potential accumulations/conditions.
I'll update if I see appreciable changes this evening, and if not, I'll report early Friday morning before I need to drive down from 3800' as the DMV never closes for weather. Yay...
Bob
