WINTER STORM WARNING FOR ACA

This is a 12:15 p.m. update. The temperature is above freezing at the end of Staymon and we picked up probably 4.5 to almost 5 in of snow, with some melting going on, of course. There is less snow toward the bottom of the mountain, but underneath the snow is a lot of slush. I rode my sled down and headed off to work and the roads around Waynesville and the interstate are in great shape. Mauney has some patches of slush on it, but the interstates and main highways are in perfect shape). 

The incoming snow event has been in the models (NAM, GFS, EURO) for days, now, running anywhere from 8-10" to 3-5", but mostly in the 4-7" range. Heretofore we've only had NW flow events, but this one is coming from the SW from the Gulf coast.

Early this morning our Winter Storm Watch was upped to a Winter Storm Warning.  It won't surprise me to see some snow flakes around supper-time, but snow should start falling in earnest by midnight. Click HERE for the official NWS statement.

Unlike the crashing cold in the last snow, temperatures won't be that far from the freezing mark, opening the possibility of some periods of mixed precipitation toward the beginning and the end of the event. This will be more true in the valley locations, but because this system is swinging up NE from the Gulf of Mexico with a fair amount of moisture, we stand to have our biggest snow yet.  I'm going with 4-8", leaving the top end a bit open-ended as even heavier snow will be within 15 miles of here.

Yesterday I posted a notification from the board concerning anticipated road clearing, so I'm posting it again in this one:

[Apple Creek Road] will be plowed and salted after the snow stops, most likely sometime Saturday. If the forecast amounts hold true, we will plow the side roads, as well. ( No salt on gravel roads, ever). We strongly suggest that all residents and visitors plan on our roads being impassable Friday and Saturday and make preparations now. Anyone who has to travel should leave a vehicle at the bottom of the mountain before the storm starts and walk out. Vehicles may not be parked in the road nor may stranded vehicles be left in the road.

I added to that that if you leave your car on a side road at Apple Creek Road to please park as far to the side as possible so as not to interfere with plowing or other traffic. You could get hit.

As always, I'll update with any pertinent information.

Bob