WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY for Nicholas, western Greenbrier, and northwestern Pocahontas counties until 10 a.m. Thursday. With 2-4 inches of new snow and wind gusts up to 40 mph, road conditions will become more hazardous. The high elevation grounds are frozen, so daylight hours are of little use. Whatever falls, will stick.
COLD WEATHER ADVISORY until 11 a.m. Wednesday in northwestern Pocahontas County and 10 a.m. in western Greenbrier County. Wind chill values of -10 to -15 degrees Celsius can cause frost bite in less than 15 minutes of exposure.
If left outside in the cold without protection, hypothermia can develop in less than an hour. If you will be away for an extended period of time, keep a close eye on your health. Keep an eye out for those around you who appear confused, have difficulty breathing, or have stopped shivering from being cold. That is an excellent indicator that you are in trouble.
Upper-level winds from the northwest continue to blow into our region Wednesday morning, bringing moisture from the Great Lakes. Pre-dawn snows will coat roads and add an additional 1-2 inches of snow to the entire area, with 2-4 inches expected along the west-facing ridgelines of Nicholas, Greenbrier, and Pocahontas counties.
Most significant for the morning commute because road temperatures are well below freezing, resulting in ice from Tuesday’s snow melt being covered by icy fluffy snows Wednesday morning.
Tonight, with some clearing taking place of those stubborn clouds, temperatures will drop like a rock into the single digits. The cold that hurts after only a few minutes of exposure. Frozen pipes and roads pose a real risk. Any wet surface will freeze shortly after sunset and not thaw until mid-morning Thursday.
In addition, many people will experience wind chills well below zero. We’ll have to keep an eye out for blowing snows to recover cleared roads, as another dusting to an inch of snow is expected to fall.
Upper level winds, which are still coming from the north, begin to sway slightly to the west as high pressure approaches. It won’t completely clear things up, but flurries will stop except in the high country of Nicholas/Webster/Pocahontas counties.
Still cold, with daytime highs in the teens and wind chills at or below zero due to westerly 10-15mph winds all day. Thursday night, clearer skies mean temperatures drop quickly back into the single digits. Wind chills are well below zero.
Friday morning will be one of the coldest of the winter season, with many waking up to temperatures near 0 and wind chills well below. We don’t see much improvement overall, but we do get into the mid to upper 20s during the day.
A change in wind direction from the southwest is to thank. The light fluffy snow that has fallen over the last few days will gradually melt, so keep the windshield wiper fluid tank full because wet, salty roads can be difficult to see while driving.
That spray will not simply be removed from the wipers. As our next system approaches, clouds begin to replace the little sunshine we had earlier in the day.
Aside from timing issues and exact tracks, we will be tracking snow showers throughout the region. We’re on the right side of this system for an all-snow event, but we’re a little too far north as of Wednesday morning to expect anything unusual.
Aside from that, snow is snow when you try to drive in it. In general, expect 2-4 inches in the lowlands, with higher amounts likely on mountain tops. 4-6 inches for ridgelines. The key will be whether this storm moves through our region or grazes us to the south.
South, we’ll see a general area 2-4 inches wide. Throughout the region and out to sea, we’ll see more on the ridgelines and points east, rather than west, as with the previous storm. In any case, expect chaotic travel from Friday evening to Saturday.
Saturday is cold, with heavy snowfall in the morning that spreads throughout the afternoon. Highs only reach the upper 20s after a cold morning in the upper teens.
Once the system moves out in the early afternoon, we’ll be back to a northwest wind in the upper levels, bringing moisture from the Great Lakes and keeping snow showers and squalls around until the evening.
When they arrive, it’s hit or miss, but those who see them may notice a quick half to one inch of additional accumulations, especially if they move through after sunset. Overnight lows drop back into the teens.
Sunday a few snow flurries remain as northwest winds look to remain. Light fluffy snowfall will cause problems for early morning commuters and churchgoers. We’ll have better travel conditions in the afternoon, with some sunshine and temperatures in the upper 20s.
That will help clear the roads, but the grounds and sidewalks will most likely remain snow-covered. Aside from a few flurries overnight, it will be cold in the teens.
Another weak system is expected to pass through on Monday, increasing the likelihood of snowfall. This time, the ridgelines and points west received an additional 1-2 inches of snowfall.
This may change depending on the timing and severity of our weekend storm, but slick travel is once again expected Monday morning and into Monday night. The highs are barely above freezing. Overnight lows will fall back into the teens, with black ice expected.
In your extended forecast, the cold isn’t over yet, as we continue to see trends that keep temperatures well below average. With so much cold air in place along the entire East Coast, keep an eye on the long-term forecast for the possibility of another winter storm.
Tracking is critical for all winter storms, so while we work out the details, Wednesday of next week looks promising for more snowfall. We’ll keep you updated as always on any changes.
WEDNESDAY
Frigid cold, passing flakes. Highs in the low 20s.
THURSDAY
Sunshine slowly returns, arctic cold. Highs in the teens.
FRIDAY
Sun to start then increasing clouds/snow PM. Highs in the upper 20s.
SATURDAY
Sct. Snow showers. Highs in the upper 20s.
SUNDAY
Mtn. flakes then clearing. Highs in the low 30s.
MONDAY
Increasing clouds, wintry mix PM. Highs near freezing.
TUESDAY
Breezy, snowy, and cold. Highs in the 20s.
WEDNESDAY
Sct. snow showers, some breaks. Highs in the low 20s.
THURSDAY
Sunshine returns, still cold. Highs in the 20s.
FRIDAY
A few clouds, sct. snow PM. Highs in the low 30s.
SATURDAY
AM Flakes, mostly cloudy. Highs in the low 30s.
