MORE SNOW, BITTER COLD

Yet another Winter Storm Warning for ACA, this time from midnight tonight through 6pm Monday.  Like the system we just had, the most affected areas will be closer to the TN border, and on the upslope side (east TN will get a good bit).  

Amounts: the warning is for 1-3" of snow with isolated 5" on the peaks and ridgetops; however, my two models have ACA in just the 1" range the past two runs, though 24 hours ago they had us in a 2-3" range.  I expect to see the same type of situation for our roads that we just had.

Timing: transition to snow will be around or soon after midnight, with the 5a to 7a window showing possibly steadier snow before going to snow showers through the day.  Should be a done deal by early Monday night. (5p update shows the possibly steadier snow from 6a to 8a, but overall I see no other changes to the going forecast here).

Winds: winds will become increasingly gusty up to 45mph Monday, tapering off overnight.

Temps:  temps will be falling Monday, with teens by the afternoon and single digits by supper time.  Wind chill values will easily be in the -15 to -35 degree range at night, and Maggie Valley's forecast low is -9 degrees Tuesday morning.  This polar blast will be shattering records in many states, including here.  We probably won't see 32 degrees until Wednesday afternoon.

Keith sent the note below to pass along to ACA residents.  Whatever falls Monday will be a repeat situation for us (unless it were heavy enough snow to plow) with even colder temperatures. Even with the untreated roads I personally had no issues in AWD going down or up.
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(From Keith Patton, President)

The question has been raised as to why the Board ACAHA took no action on the road from our last snow.

1. There was less than 1/2 inch of snow on the road. Plowing would have done no good.

2. Road salt does not work below 25 degrees. My thermometer topped out at 17.

Those of us who choose to live here on the North side of the mountain year around, have to understand that there will be Winter days when we will not be able to travel. Yesterday morning was one of those times. Any money that the Board of ACAHA would have spent attempting to improve yesterdays situation would have been wasted.

Thanks,

Keith

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Bob