***Continuing to monitor the potential for a Major Winter storm the middle of next week over the Western Carolina's.***
The models have been back and forth over the last few days, as expected, but the general idea is that a big winter storm will develop in the gulf of Mexico before moving up the Atlantic Coast next Wednesday and Thursday. The map below shows two possible scenarios: #1 the southern energy phases with the northern energy and arctic air to create a BIG storm or #2 the southern energy escapes off the coast and out to see leaving us with a weaker northern branch disturbance and cold air behind that...NO big storm. At this point in time I am not favoring either scenario. Nothing is set in stone so I am not going to hype this event just yet or even give thoughts on accumulations. Stay tuned!
Forecast:
Mountains-
Cold and drizzle will dominate the forecast for the rest of Saturday. Colder air moves in tonight changing the drizzle to flurries and maybe a few snow showers. No accumulation expected. Sunday will be very nice with highs in the low to mid 40s and plenty of sunshine. Most of Monday looks pretty nice as well. I think we will see highs in the low 40s before a strong cold front pushes in and temperatures being to fall. Their will be some snow with this system Monday evening into Tuesday morning, my first shot at accumulations looks like 2-5" for the western slopes and higher elevations with 1-2" inches for most. Again beyond Tuesday is still a big question mark.
Foothills-
Drizzle and very chilly temperatures are also the rule here in the foothills for the remainder of the day. Tonight as winds turn from the NW colder and dryer air will filter in. Temperatures will fall to around 30. Tomorrow looks really nice with highs in the low to mid 50s and plenty of sunshine, get out and enjoy because next week looks like winter returns with a vengeance. Monday is not as confident here in the foothills as it is for the mountains. Most of monday will again be mild and dry with highs in the 50s. Towards evening a storm system will appoach along with some limited moisture but very cold air following it. Right now I think a few rain showers possible ending as a few snow flurries is a good bet. Although some of the models are hinting at this system trying to develop a low pressure on the coast and throwing more moisture our way which would lead to some accumulating snow Monday Night. If you live in the foothills stay tuned and again anything beyond Tuesday is really low confidence but there is another shot at accumulationg snow Wednesday - Thursday.
Piedmont-
Saturday will feature a few rain showers, drizzle and very chilly temperatures with highs most likely remaining below 40 degrees. Sunday will be milder than the previous days with highs reaching the upper 50s. Monday, just like the Foothills, is tricky. Right now I am expecting mild, dry conditions during the day with highs in the 50s. Monday night a system will approach from the west bringing the chance for a few rain showers that could end as flurries once the arctic air begins to invade. Some models are trying to develop a low pressure on the coast which could send moisture back into the piedmont as the cold air is invading leading to the potential for some accumulating snow. Again that is not the forecast call right now, but there is a chance that I will need to revise this forecast. Beyond tuesday is very low confidence. Stay tuned!
First Snow Map for Monday night:
Kris > Ray. Haha. I'm out of the area, now, but I will be following. Well done, bud.
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