WEATHER UPDATE: 2 PARTS

Eeegads. Per my last post, I'll reiterate that the moisture is a given for this weekend, and a lot of it.  The freezing temperatures, while spotty to begin with on the front side of the system, lock in for what looks like a healthy snow for ACA later on Saturday into Monday.

Before I detail the weekend, we have an issue tonight that may well make for slippery travel Wednesday morning.  A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for 1-2" of snow above 3500', but still some lightly accumulating snow lower, though most of that will be closer to the TN border.  We had a nice heavy dusting this morning that covered my driveway, but there is a good bit more moisture heading in from the NW for tonight.  I'll post an update in the morning once I see what we have. UPDATE @ 5AM: We were saved by the direction, this time.  The snow bands, which have been heavy overnight, were moving west to east, as opposed to NW to SE.  The Smokies are to our west, effectively blocking snow amounts in ACA.  Just another dusting, which suits us all, I'm sure.  However, schools are already closed in Madison, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties where they did get the accumulations. Highs today will hold in the 30s for most of us.

Temps will moderate a little for Thursday and Friday, before the Big Kahuna (relatively speaking) moves in.  The temperature construct is not yet locked in, so the front side of this system could still have rain and sleet mixing in with the snow, certainly below 3500' (the blue roof house on Apple Creek Road).  That would limit initial accumulations.

My favored model is starting to push the 6"-10" envelope for ACA, so it will be interesting to follow the trends on the runs every 6 hours.  The heaviest amounts still show up to the east of Asheville, but even down into the Foothills and western Piedmont there, as well.  Still, it looks like travel will become a serious issue for us later on Saturday through Monday.

For now, I'll close and update as needed.  Might as well prepare for this one, and even if it's a bust (doubtful) you'll have other opportunities to consume all the goodies as our winter has only begun.   :-)



Bob