Saturday, March 29, 2014
It's Not Spring Yet
Posted by
Gary Buffaloe
Labels:
WNC
Quick update for WNC on the evening of 3/29/14:
Very gusty northwesterly winds (up to 60 mph) will usher in upslope snow showers late tonight into early Sunday morning. An inch of snow is possible in the lower elevations of northern Buncombe and southern Madison counties. The highest elevations could see more than six inches.
This winter will be remembered not for being particularly cold or snowy; rather, for being long.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Surprise! (Gary/Asheville)
Posted by
Gary Buffaloe
Labels:
WNC
Update (7:45PM 3/25): It has snowed on and off most of the day. Expect snow showers and gusty winds to continue through dawn. The difference between this snow, and the daytime snow earlier today, is that what falls will actually accumulate. Areas north and west of Asheville could see 1-2 inches of additional snow (more in the higher elevations near the TN border).
I should not have been surprised; however, when I went to bed at 11:00 PM it was 45 degrees in northern Buncombe county, and I thought whatever light snow managed to fall would have great difficulty overcoming the warm ground temperatures. Nevertheless, I woke up to an inch to inch and a half of wet snow blanketing elevated and grassy surfaces around my neighborhood.
For the rest of the day in Western North Carolina, expect continued cold temperatures, with increasing winds, gusting to as high as 45 mpg. Wind chills will dip to close to zero, especially in the high elevations. Furthermore, as the winds turn Northwesterly, upslope snow showers will drop another .5 inch of snow in Northern Buncombe county this evening (higher amounts near the TN border).
Enjoy some additional pictures of this last season snow:
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Late Season Winter Threat (Brent/Raleigh)
Posted by
Brent Sherrod
Labels:
Triangle
Precipitation did not move into Central NC early enough to produce any wintry precipitation. However, as was forecast, NW and Northern Piedmont received snow, some of it measurable. Temps tonight will be unseasonably cold, so cover up those early season outdoor plants!
FINAL UPDATE Monday March 24, 7:30pm
Tuesday: The low that was threatening the area with winter weather over the weekend has been shifted well off the coast. It will be a powerful storm, just not here in NC. The most likely area for snow will be the N and NW Piedmont, with a rain/snow mix for the Triangle - possibly mixing at times as well as changing back and forth between p-types. Even in the Triad area where snow accumulates some, don't expect any real travel impact as ground temps are in the 40s. The times mentioned in my previous update from Saturday are still pretty much the same. Rain/snow mix up until 11am then changing to rain.
Tuesday night: Cold! Temps will be well into the 20s with single digit windchills.
Let's all just hope this is it and long term warm weather will arrive soon!
NWS Forecast for Tuesday March 25
__________________________________________________________
UPDATE Saturday March 22, 6:00pm
FINAL UPDATE Monday March 24, 7:30pm
Tuesday: The low that was threatening the area with winter weather over the weekend has been shifted well off the coast. It will be a powerful storm, just not here in NC. The most likely area for snow will be the N and NW Piedmont, with a rain/snow mix for the Triangle - possibly mixing at times as well as changing back and forth between p-types. Even in the Triad area where snow accumulates some, don't expect any real travel impact as ground temps are in the 40s. The times mentioned in my previous update from Saturday are still pretty much the same. Rain/snow mix up until 11am then changing to rain.
Tuesday night: Cold! Temps will be well into the 20s with single digit windchills.
Let's all just hope this is it and long term warm weather will arrive soon!
NWS Forecast for Tuesday March 25
__________________________________________________________
UPDATE Saturday March 22, 6:00pm
Models are trending warmer with Tuesday's system. As of now, it appears a powerful low pressure system will merge in some way with an upper level trough containing several shortwaves. This will occur over VA and the Carolinas Tuesday.
Currently there are 2 model extremes to be noted:
1) The GFS shows a well formed and rapidly developing low pressure system interacting with the upper trough. This would form an intense band of precipitation between about 5am and noon Tuesday.
2) The ECMWF is trending slower to the point that there is no interaction between the low and the shortwaves. If this is the case then precipitation amounts (regardless of type) will be dramatically less.
For now the best course of action will be to go with the middle solution. So N of 64 and W of 95 will be the areas with the highest probability of seeing snow Tuesday morning. Areas S of 64 and E of 95 may see some snow early changing to rain by 8am. As of now all areas are expected to change to rain by 2pm.
For now the best course of action will be to go with the middle solution. So N of 64 and W of 95 will be the areas with the highest probability of seeing snow Tuesday morning. Areas S of 64 and E of 95 may see some snow early changing to rain by 8am. As of now all areas are expected to change to rain by 2pm.
Once again, it is late March, so forecasting any kind of "winter" weather is difficult due to the high sun angle.
___________________________________________________________
The NWS has issued a hazardous weather outlook for central and parts of eastern NC for a potential storm system moving up the coast early next week. Models are in very good agreement (especially for a storm this far away) of the track of the storm. It looks to be a rather intense Miller-A closed low rapidly intensifying as it moves up the coast. As of now, the rain/snow line would be down near the NC/SC border for most if not all of the event. I will keep updating over the next couple of days as more information comes in from the NWS.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Winter Again! Tired Yet? Sunday 3/16/14 - Monday Night 3/17/14 (Brent/Raleigh)
Posted by
Brent Sherrod
Labels:
Triangle
UPDATE Sunday 4:45pm: Model guidance still unclear about temperatures aloft overnight tonight. Dry slot is moving in as predicted W to E, so precipitation overnight should remain steady through about 8pm, and as the lifting mechanism weakens and air aloft dries out, expect precipitation to become scattered and drizzly. Some freezing drizzle may occur overnight from the Triangle N and NW, but at least in the immediate area should be of little consequence. The ground has been sufficiently warmed by the March sun and warm temperatures such that it actually gives off heat, thus cutting down or eliminating ice accrual near the surface. This warming does not rule out the possibility of slick overpasses.
Monday UPDATE: Precipitation should be light and becoming lighter throughout the day, with any freezing drizzle thawing out by midday. An upper trough axis moves over during the day and with this trough, rain may become more steady. Other than this, not much has changed for Monday from what I posted last night (below).
Monday Night UPDATE: According to NWS, models are coming in drier for Monday night's event. This would be fortunate as our temperature chances for seeing nuisance icing are more favorable Monday night into Tuesday morning.
________________________________________________________
PREVIOUS POST
With most of VA and MD already under winter storm watches and warnings, things are once again looking like N Central NC will be on the southern fringe of yet another arctic airmass interacting with precipitation. We don't have much longer, folks. These storms at this time of year are already in the climatologically unfavorable category. This unfavorability makes them even harder to forecast than they are in January and February. Hopefully everyone is enjoying this warm weather sunny Saturday we are having. I will attempt to summarize this complex forecast below.
Sunday: An upper level trough will slowly evolve over the next couple of days just west of the Appalachians into TN, while Sunday a surface low pressure system moves toward the TN valley. A secondary low will develop off the Carolina coast Sunday night. A front will move N tomorrow as precipitation comes with it, spreading SW to NE. 1-1.25" of rain expected into the afternoon. Temperature forecasts are difficult. Temps will begin to drop as the day progresses and precipitation moves in.
Sunday night: Forecast becomes even more difficult as a secondary cold front pushes into NC from the N bringing with it air from Canadian high pressure. Latest models have trended colder with the airmass. The precipitation forecast becomes even more tricky as a "dry slot" (a large area of dry air which moves into a mesoscale low pressure system. See an example HERE ) may move in early Monday morning. A dry slot will cut down tremendously on precipitation amounts. The chance for freezing rain occurs during this timeframe.
Monday: Drying is expected. This is fortunate because if precipitation were heavy enough during this time, the wet bulb (the temperature that occurs when evaporational cooling has reached its full effect and an airmass is completely saturated) temperature would be below freezing, thus rendering all precipitation as sleet, freezing rain, and possibly snow. Since precipitation amounts are supposed to wane during this time, the temps may be allowed to rise some. Expect light rain and light wintry mix N of a line from Albemarle to Fuquay Varina to Wilson Monday, with all rain S of the line.
Monday Night: The greatest threat of nuisance weather comes Monday night. Wet bulbs will certainly be below freezing. With model disagreement on precipitation amounts during this time period, it is wise to hold off on making any call. If a winter weather advisory is to be needed, this will be the time in which it will be needed. I urge everyone to pay close attention to the weather forecasts over the next couple of days.
NWS Forecast for Sunday:
Monday UPDATE: Precipitation should be light and becoming lighter throughout the day, with any freezing drizzle thawing out by midday. An upper trough axis moves over during the day and with this trough, rain may become more steady. Other than this, not much has changed for Monday from what I posted last night (below).
Monday Night UPDATE: According to NWS, models are coming in drier for Monday night's event. This would be fortunate as our temperature chances for seeing nuisance icing are more favorable Monday night into Tuesday morning.
________________________________________________________
PREVIOUS POST
With most of VA and MD already under winter storm watches and warnings, things are once again looking like N Central NC will be on the southern fringe of yet another arctic airmass interacting with precipitation. We don't have much longer, folks. These storms at this time of year are already in the climatologically unfavorable category. This unfavorability makes them even harder to forecast than they are in January and February. Hopefully everyone is enjoying this warm weather sunny Saturday we are having. I will attempt to summarize this complex forecast below.
Sunday: An upper level trough will slowly evolve over the next couple of days just west of the Appalachians into TN, while Sunday a surface low pressure system moves toward the TN valley. A secondary low will develop off the Carolina coast Sunday night. A front will move N tomorrow as precipitation comes with it, spreading SW to NE. 1-1.25" of rain expected into the afternoon. Temperature forecasts are difficult. Temps will begin to drop as the day progresses and precipitation moves in.
Sunday night: Forecast becomes even more difficult as a secondary cold front pushes into NC from the N bringing with it air from Canadian high pressure. Latest models have trended colder with the airmass. The precipitation forecast becomes even more tricky as a "dry slot" (a large area of dry air which moves into a mesoscale low pressure system. See an example HERE ) may move in early Monday morning. A dry slot will cut down tremendously on precipitation amounts. The chance for freezing rain occurs during this timeframe.
Monday: Drying is expected. This is fortunate because if precipitation were heavy enough during this time, the wet bulb (the temperature that occurs when evaporational cooling has reached its full effect and an airmass is completely saturated) temperature would be below freezing, thus rendering all precipitation as sleet, freezing rain, and possibly snow. Since precipitation amounts are supposed to wane during this time, the temps may be allowed to rise some. Expect light rain and light wintry mix N of a line from Albemarle to Fuquay Varina to Wilson Monday, with all rain S of the line.
Monday Night: The greatest threat of nuisance weather comes Monday night. Wet bulbs will certainly be below freezing. With model disagreement on precipitation amounts during this time period, it is wise to hold off on making any call. If a winter weather advisory is to be needed, this will be the time in which it will be needed. I urge everyone to pay close attention to the weather forecasts over the next couple of days.
NWS Forecast for Sunday:
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Fast-Moving Line of Storms Incoming (Jason/Raleigh)
Posted by
Jason Lankford
Labels:
Triangle
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR WAKE COUNTY.
A strong, fast-moving line of thunderstorms is about to sweep through the Raleigh area, ahead of the approaching cold front. This line of storms should produce strong winds and heavy rain.
This should be a short event as this line of storms will clear out quickly, ushering in rapidly-falling temperatures overnight.
WNC: More Snow, Wind, Cold #Wx (Gary/Asheville)
Posted by
Gary Buffaloe
Labels:
WNC
![]() |
| Burnt Orange=High Wind Warning (Gusts >60 MPG) Brown=Wind Advisory (Gusts 45-55 MPH) Blue=Winter Weather Advisory (1-3 in. snow) |
It has been snowing in Northern Buncombe county. As you can see from the excellent photographs, snow is beginning to accumulate on my deck. Furthermore, grassy surfaces and roads are whitening, and I believe we should still expect an inch by morning.
The worst of the gusty winds have passed; however, guts to 30 mph and very cold wind chills will be common through the mountains, even into Thursday.
Yesterday was deck-sitting weather, but March weather in the greatest state in the Union is nothing if not inconsistent. This morning's showers preceded a potent cold front that is even now on the doorstep of the Smokey's, and will not wait for an invitation to march right in (see what I did there?). Here in Northern Buncombe county, and I expect throughout the French Broad Valley, we are already experiencing extremely gusty winds in excess of 40 mph. I would not rule out a few 60 mph gusts even in the valley.
Expect high winds throughout the evening, with up-slope snow showers developing this evening along the Tennessee boarder. As usual with this type of set up, Asheville will see very little in the way of accumulation, but the closer one is to Madison/Haywood counties, the more likely he is to see the snow pile up. Even then, with warm ground temperatures and limited moisture, the most one can expect is half an inch to an inch, unless he is in one of the areas that favors heavier accumulations.
Tomorrow we will struggle to get out of the 40s, even in the valley, with the continuance of a stiff breeze. Things improve later this week, but we could be looking at some more showers, and even snow showers, Monday evening.
As always, if you are looking for a real forecast for WNC, check out: http://www.raysweather.com/ or http://weather.gov. If you want to rap (talk) about what's happening your way, whether you are in the WNC, or somewhere else entirely, leave a comment, and one of our #Wx folks will laugh, cry, hope, and sing with you.
Finally, check out this cool post from Buzzfeed (I don't usually use that combination of words in a sentence), ranking the Smokey Mountains #19 on a list of super cool places in 'Murica.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Concerning Wind, Rain, and a Late Season Chill 3/11-3/13/14 (Brent/Raleigh)
Posted by
Brent Sherrod
Labels:
Triangle
A Hazardous Weather Outlook for the possibility of issuing a wind advisory Wednesday has been posted by the NWS.
Tonight: Continued surface level SW flow will keep temps mild over night. We are between a high situated over the Caribbean and a low that will move over the central plains into the Ohio valley overnight. Expect this S and SW flow to bring in high and mid-level clouds overnight with scattered rain showers over western and southern NC by daybreak. Lows in the 50s.
Wednesday: Most of central and eastern NC to remain dry for the majority of the day. Temps may warm considerably given the possibility of partial sun. Expect temps to range from the upper 60s to mid 70s, with the possibility of even warmer temps where the sun breaks through for an extended period. As the low pressure moves from the Ohio valley into the mid-Atlantic, it deepens and intensifies. With this intensifying, we get squeezed between the low pressure system and the high over the Caribbean. Winds will increase dramatically. As the low exits the mid-Atlantic and New England coasts, the trailing cold front will sweep across NC. Rain and isolated thunderstorms are likely. The NW part of the State including the NW Piedmont will see the brunt of the wind. Unfortunately, most of these areas are the same ones crippled by last Friday's ice storm. Weakened trees and branches will likely fall.
Wednesday night: The frontal winds will roar through Wednesday evening drying out any residual moisture on roadways. Black ice should not be a factor Thursday morning. Expect lows in the mid 20s.
Thursday: Blustery! Highs in the 40s and windy.Winds will die down in the evening, followed by a cold night with lows once again in the 20s.
Tuesday Evening's Satellite Photo:
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Beautiful Weekend on Tap! March 8 - March 9, 2014. (Brent/Raleigh)
Posted by
Brent Sherrod
Labels:
Triangle
Remember the time "springs forward" tonight by an hour
Saturday: With yesterday's miserable mess well out into the ocean and high pressure centered over the deep south, expect spring to show up. An upper-level ridge will bring SW flow aloft. This coupled with SW flow at the surface preceding our next cool front will bring in warm temps today. Mix those two factors with full March sunshine, and many locations across Central NC may break 70 today.
Saturday night: A dry cold front (associated with the low from yesterday) will move through, but don't expect the airmass behind it to be all that different. Expect lows tonight in the lower to mid 40s.
Sunday: As the northern jet stream trough exits the upper mid-atlantic and southern New England coast very early Sunday AM, a weak, dry cold front moves through (same one mentioned above). Zonal flow (the dominant E - W flow aloft) prevents cold air from making its way back down into NC. We have a dry airmass in place through at least Tuesday.
Saturday midday satellite:
Saturday: With yesterday's miserable mess well out into the ocean and high pressure centered over the deep south, expect spring to show up. An upper-level ridge will bring SW flow aloft. This coupled with SW flow at the surface preceding our next cool front will bring in warm temps today. Mix those two factors with full March sunshine, and many locations across Central NC may break 70 today.
Saturday night: A dry cold front (associated with the low from yesterday) will move through, but don't expect the airmass behind it to be all that different. Expect lows tonight in the lower to mid 40s.
Sunday: As the northern jet stream trough exits the upper mid-atlantic and southern New England coast very early Sunday AM, a weak, dry cold front moves through (same one mentioned above). Zonal flow (the dominant E - W flow aloft) prevents cold air from making its way back down into NC. We have a dry airmass in place through at least Tuesday.
Saturday midday satellite:
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Thursday 3/6-Friday 3/7 for Western North Carolina (Gary/Asheville)
Posted by
Gary Buffaloe
Labels:
WNC
I (Gary) have not updated #Wx much, because there has been little in the way of interesting #Wx in Western North Carolina. This weekend's potential weather appeared, at least to the National Weather Service, to be little more than a wintry blip on the radar screen of the proverbial airliner destined for Spring. WxSouth, NC Piedmont Weather, WNC Weather, and others mentioned the possibility of this system over-performing for most of the week. The NWS has now issued a Winter Storm Warning for Buncombe county, as well as for most of Western North Carolina. Significant accumulations of snow are probably for the highest elevations; however, the forecast is tricky for the valleys and foothills. Fluctuations in temperature of just a few degrees will matter a great deal for whether or not the Asheville area will see accumulating snow or sleet, or mostly plain old rain. Even at this late hour there is no consensus among meteorologists regarding the forecast for our area.
I am not a meteorologist. I encourage you to visit the links above for a forecast for your area. I will however, update this post with some regularity, as precipitation falls.
Gary B.
Rain 3-5-2014 (Jason/Raleigh)
Posted by
Jason Lankford
Labels:
LOL
This about sums up the forecast for the next 24-36 hours.
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Thursday 3/6/14 through Friday 3/7/14 (Brent/Raleigh)
Posted by
Brent Sherrod
Labels:
Triangle
Thursday and Friday: As mentioned in a previous post, the month of March at this latitude is a difficult one for which to forecast any kind of winter weather.
Some discrepancy remains on the timing of precipitation arrival and the timing of our cold air supplier's exit.
For the Raleigh area, expect rain to move in sometime in the late afternoon. As the cold high pressure system pushes east off of the New England coast and rain moves in, rain may mix with freezing rain and possibly a little sleet at the beginning, having the potential to continue for several hours with little to no impact. The chances for wintry p-type increase to the NW, especially around the Triad. As surface flow enters the state from the SE, expect temperatures to gradually increase into Friday, thus melting any ice accrual (which will be a light glaze on trees if there is any at all). Precipitation arrival time along with arctic high positioning will affect the amount of winter p-types. The NW Piedmont/Triad may end up with an extended period of freezing rain and sleet. Depending on a couple of factors, these areas could even see some wet snow mix in when precipitation is heaviest. No winter p-type travel problems are expected from Raleigh to the east.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Forecast Summary for Sunday Afternoon (3-2-14) through Tuesday (3-4-14) (Brent/Raleigh)
Posted by
Brent Sherrod
Labels:
Triangle
Winter Weather Advisory for the Triangle in effect from noon to midnight Monday.
UPDATE 6:30 PM for Monday 3-3: This is a difficult time of year for which to forecast any kind of winter weather, especially at this latitude.
Precipitation appears likely at this time due to several different lift mechanisms moving in to allow for cloud development. The front is still forecast to be right around the NC/VA border at daybreak. Changeover from rain to freezing rain then to sleet still expected to occur around midday into early afternoon for the Triangle N to S. The northern counties of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain will see the longest duration of freezing rain and sleet. These areas will also see the greatest accumulations of sleet, freezing rain and snow. Sleet/snow combined accumulations in the northern counties could reach an inch with lesser amounts south.
Complicating factors:
1) With a very springlike day reaching into the lower 70s Sunday and given that we had mostly full sun, the soil surface has warmed considerably. If sleet/snow falls with less intensity than expected, then precipitation will melt rapidly.
2) If cold air moving in (advection) is not as strong as anticipated, then rain/sleet mix will have a longer duration thus cutting down on accumulation totals.
3) The middle layers of the atmosphere dry out around 3-4pm lessening precipitation intensity. Also, if cold air is not as intense as expected, then the Triangle may see an extended period of freezing rain/drizzle rather than sleet.
It will be important to monitor road and traffic conditions before travelling.
____________________________________________
This forecast is subject to change this evening. I will update it accordingly.
Difficult forecast for this late winter storm affecting Central NC.
Sunday afternoon into Sunday night: With a surface ridge moving offshore and an arctic cold front approaching from the NNW, Central NC will get squeezed between these two systems, causing SW winds to increase throughout the afternoon. Expect highs well into the 60s with breezy conditions. Tonight: winds will die down some as clouds lower and thicken. Very mild overnight with lows around 50. The arctic front should be around the NC/VA border by 5am Monday.
Monday: Throughout the morning, very cold air and precipitation will move south (also known as a backdoor coldfront) over the NC/VA border, arriving in the triangle late morning into the afternoon. Precipitation may begin as rain and as the front surges southward will likely change over to freezing rain then progress into several hours of sleet for the area. As warm air aloft cools to near freezing, sleet may mix with or even briefly change over to snow. This will be of short duration as midlevel drying is forecast to move in, thus cutting off moisture supply in the area where snowflakes form.
Monday night: travel conditions will be hazardous. The northeast piedmont and coastal plain may experience lingering precipitation mostly in the form of freezing rain and freezing drizzle. Given the exceptionally cold air in the lower levels of the atmosphere, some snow columns/needles/grains may form, especially east of the triangle. Thus, lingering p-type may be freezing drizzle and snow. Lows will be in the teens.
Tuesday and Tuesday night: Sunny with highs in the low 40s. Lows in the 20s.
UPDATE 6:30 PM for Monday 3-3: This is a difficult time of year for which to forecast any kind of winter weather, especially at this latitude.
Precipitation appears likely at this time due to several different lift mechanisms moving in to allow for cloud development. The front is still forecast to be right around the NC/VA border at daybreak. Changeover from rain to freezing rain then to sleet still expected to occur around midday into early afternoon for the Triangle N to S. The northern counties of the Piedmont and Coastal Plain will see the longest duration of freezing rain and sleet. These areas will also see the greatest accumulations of sleet, freezing rain and snow. Sleet/snow combined accumulations in the northern counties could reach an inch with lesser amounts south.
Complicating factors:
1) With a very springlike day reaching into the lower 70s Sunday and given that we had mostly full sun, the soil surface has warmed considerably. If sleet/snow falls with less intensity than expected, then precipitation will melt rapidly.
2) If cold air moving in (advection) is not as strong as anticipated, then rain/sleet mix will have a longer duration thus cutting down on accumulation totals.
3) The middle layers of the atmosphere dry out around 3-4pm lessening precipitation intensity. Also, if cold air is not as intense as expected, then the Triangle may see an extended period of freezing rain/drizzle rather than sleet.
It will be important to monitor road and traffic conditions before travelling.
____________________________________________
This forecast is subject to change this evening. I will update it accordingly.
Difficult forecast for this late winter storm affecting Central NC.
Sunday afternoon into Sunday night: With a surface ridge moving offshore and an arctic cold front approaching from the NNW, Central NC will get squeezed between these two systems, causing SW winds to increase throughout the afternoon. Expect highs well into the 60s with breezy conditions. Tonight: winds will die down some as clouds lower and thicken. Very mild overnight with lows around 50. The arctic front should be around the NC/VA border by 5am Monday.
Monday: Throughout the morning, very cold air and precipitation will move south (also known as a backdoor coldfront) over the NC/VA border, arriving in the triangle late morning into the afternoon. Precipitation may begin as rain and as the front surges southward will likely change over to freezing rain then progress into several hours of sleet for the area. As warm air aloft cools to near freezing, sleet may mix with or even briefly change over to snow. This will be of short duration as midlevel drying is forecast to move in, thus cutting off moisture supply in the area where snowflakes form.
Monday night: travel conditions will be hazardous. The northeast piedmont and coastal plain may experience lingering precipitation mostly in the form of freezing rain and freezing drizzle. Given the exceptionally cold air in the lower levels of the atmosphere, some snow columns/needles/grains may form, especially east of the triangle. Thus, lingering p-type may be freezing drizzle and snow. Lows will be in the teens.
Tuesday and Tuesday night: Sunny with highs in the low 40s. Lows in the 20s.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Beginning of the week: March 2 (Brent/Raleigh)
Posted by
Brent Sherrod
Labels:
Triangle
Tonight: as a weak surface ridge builds over the area, expect lows in the lower-mid 30s. Some fog may develop.
Sunday: the weak surface ridge moves offshore allowing a weak trough to form. This coupled with westerly winds aloft will allow warm air to drift into central NC. Expect temps in the mid-upper 60s unless a shield of cirrus clouds moves in midday. Clouds would prevent max forecast highs from being reached thus putting our temps in the low-mid 60s.
Sunday night: ahead of yet another arctic air mass, a WSW flow will keep temps relatively mild.
There still exists some model discrepancy on the timing of arrival concerning the arctic air Monday. At least one model has it moving into the northern counties by 7am....
More of an update tomorrow
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
February 27 - March 1
Posted by
Brent Sherrod
Labels:
Triangle
Thursday through Saturday 2/27-3/1
Friday, highs in the lower to mid 40s. Friday night into Saturday morning: there appears to be enough evidence of a lift mechanism to form some mixed precipitation in the wee hours of Saturday morning to just after daybreak. The rain/sleet/snow mix will change over to light rain before ending mid-late morning Saturday. With limited moisture and short duration, no travel woes are anticipated at this time. Expect highs around 50 unless the clouds hang around for a while.
Satellite image from Wednesday evening:
Monday, February 24, 2014
Posted by
Brent Sherrod
Labels:
Triangle
WX Summary through Friday
First of all, with high pressure moving in, expect tonight to be cold with lows in the upper 20s to lower 30s. SW winds will pick up later on, but will likely be too late to prevent an extended period of radiational cooling. The only thing that would moderate temperatures overnight would be clouds moving in early.
Tuesday: increasing cloudiness. A surface low will form over the southeast and eventually track up the southeast coast. Don't expect much more than some drizzle or a sprinkle tomorrow afternoon. The airmass is very dry and it may take a while for any precipitation to reach the ground. Tuesday night, as the low develops and moves off the coast, rain will be prevalent mostly east of the triangle with places west receiving little to no rain. As cold air moves in and pushes the low pressure system out very early Wednesday, it will not be out of the question to see some wet snowflakes before the precipitation exits the area, but even those chances are slim.
Wednesday: cold air will pour in from the NW on the heels of exiting precipitation. Expect temps to be 30s N to 40s S. Wednesday night, lows in the mid to lower 20s.
Thursday: highs in the upper 40s N to mid 50s S.
Friday into Saturday: Forecast confidence is still low concerning potential p-type issues with a system moving through the area during this timeframe. There is little continuity between model runs and the system in question is still over an area of the eastern Pacific where data sampling is sparse. The development of the system also depends on "timing/phasing with the northern [jet] stream energy."
Friday into Saturday: Forecast confidence is still low concerning potential p-type issues with a system moving through the area during this timeframe. There is little continuity between model runs and the system in question is still over an area of the eastern Pacific where data sampling is sparse. The development of the system also depends on "timing/phasing with the northern [jet] stream energy."
More on the weekend and early next week as the week progresses. There are still a lot of unknowns involving potential systems.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
February 24 - March 2, 2014
Posted by
Brent Sherrod
Labels:
Triangle
Concerning the Return of Winter for February 24-March 2, 2014
Update 7:45pm: Looks like we will be on the southern fringe of the arctic air mass for Friday and Saturday. All eyes are on a wave coming across the south and up the coast. The wave is currently over an area of the Pacific where sampling of the system is "sparse". There will be energy moving across the deep south Friday into Saturday which will meet up with a stalled frontal zone potentially causing "surface cyclogenesis" (formation of a low pressure system). This would then travel from the gulf and up the southeast coast.
Given that temperatures will not (at this time) be as cold as originally thought, forecasters are going with another cold rain for now. The potential cyclogenesis needs to be monitored for winter p-type potential.
What little I know of this system is reminding me of the March 2010 storm:
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12:26pm
Though many in central NC are tired of winter weather, it appears that this taste of spring will have been short-lived.
Though many in central NC are tired of winter weather, it appears that this taste of spring will have been short-lived.
With high pressure moving offshore today, our winds will be from the south and southwest. Winds around high pressure travel clockwise in the northern hemisphere (or with the rotation of the earth). Expect very warm temperatures today from the upper 60s north to the lower 70s south. Tonight into tomorrow: a dry cold front will move through the region early Monday morning bringing with it cooler temperatures. Expect highs in the 50s north and low 60s south.
Lows will be in the lower to mid 30s. Clouds will increase Tuesday as a low approaches from the gulf.
From Tuesday night to Saturday, the forecast gets tricky. The weather will be wetter than normal and colder than normal. Several waves of low pressure will sweep through the south.
Early Wednesday, the first low pressure system will track close to the southeast coast. Not much is known about this system at this time except any wintry p-types may be confined to the N and NW parts of NC. As for now, expect cold rain Tuesday night and Wednesday. Forecast confidence is low at this time.
Thursday will be mostly clear with lows in the upper 40s NW to lower 50s SE. Expect similar conditions on Friday with increasing cloudiness.
Friday night into Saturday will need to be monitored closely as very cold high pressure will be set in place to our north and another low tracks up the coast.
Due to the variations in models, forecast confidence is low at this time concerning both the Tuesday night-Wednesday storm and the Friday night-Saturday storm. Keep a close eye on weather forecasts as things could change. This time of year makes forecasting tricky when it comes to any threat of winter precipitation.
*And once again, don't believe every post or model you see floating around on social media.*
Thursday, February 20, 2014
February 21, 2014
Posted by
Brent Sherrod
Labels:
Triangle
Central NC Forecast for Friday February 21, 2014 and the Threat of Severe Weather.
A cold front will swing through NC tomorrow bringing with it a chance for isolated severe thunderstorms.
The front should move through the foothills by around daybreak, Raleigh by midday, reaching the coast by late Friday afternoon. In the meantime, winds will be gusty from the S and SW ahead of the front. Due to the anticipated midday arrival of the front to central NC along with the lack of major instability, widespread severe weather is not expected. Chances are better east of Highway 1.
Individual severe storms cannot be ruled out as winds around 1000 ft will be blowing upwards of 50 mph. It would not take much for an individual storm or line of storms to send these winds down to the ground.
Given that the ground is fairly saturated, do not be surprised to see some weakened trees down.
tl;dr: Windy tomorrow with thunderstorms moving through NC.
National Weather Service Watch Warning Advisory Summary
The front should move through the foothills by around daybreak, Raleigh by midday, reaching the coast by late Friday afternoon. In the meantime, winds will be gusty from the S and SW ahead of the front. Due to the anticipated midday arrival of the front to central NC along with the lack of major instability, widespread severe weather is not expected. Chances are better east of Highway 1.
Individual severe storms cannot be ruled out as winds around 1000 ft will be blowing upwards of 50 mph. It would not take much for an individual storm or line of storms to send these winds down to the ground.
Given that the ground is fairly saturated, do not be surprised to see some weakened trees down.
tl;dr: Windy tomorrow with thunderstorms moving through NC.
National Weather Service Watch Warning Advisory Summary
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
February 11-13, 2014 Event
Posted by
Brent Sherrod
Labels:
Triangle
Here are the NWS Raleigh office's latest maps concerning the winter storm that impacted North Carolina last week. Central NC was very fortunate to have been spared a major icestorm. Much colder air than was forecast poured in before the storm allowing the changeover from snow to be primarily sleet while precipitation was heaviest. While there were power outages, the potential for major icing never came to fruition. GA and SC sustained the brunt of the icing.
I am still waiting for an event summary for this storm. Given the difficulty with forecasting this storm, I find it hard to imagine that there will not be an extended summary of what happened.
I am still waiting for an event summary for this storm. Given the difficulty with forecasting this storm, I find it hard to imagine that there will not be an extended summary of what happened.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Posted by
Brent Sherrod
Hello everyone. For several years now, Gary Buffaloe and I have joked about starting a blog. I have earned a reputation for blowing up your facebook newsfeed during inclement weather - especially winter weather. Special thanks to Jason Lankford for doing what we simply would not do - starting a blog. As Jason and Gary have mentioned, we are not meteorologists, we are simply guys who love the weather.
North Carolina weather can be and often is very complex, especially in the winter. To get snow on the ground in Raleigh, a lot of things have to come together in just the right way. We love watching these things.
I personally read weather forecasts from different sources (especially the National Weather Service's forecast discussions) and translate those discussions and forecasts into everyday language. I hope we all can do that here and that this blog will prove helpful to many.
North Carolina weather can be and often is very complex, especially in the winter. To get snow on the ground in Raleigh, a lot of things have to come together in just the right way. We love watching these things.
I personally read weather forecasts from different sources (especially the National Weather Service's forecast discussions) and translate those discussions and forecasts into everyday language. I hope we all can do that here and that this blog will prove helpful to many.
Welcome: Part Duex
Posted by
Gary Buffaloe
Jason's welcome needs no more words; nevertheless, I will add some.
Weather is cool. North Carolina weather is especially cool. We are fascinated by it. Through personal conversations and social media, we have learned that weather fascinates you as well. We are not meteorologists. We are weather-enthusiasts. You might compare us to Carolina Hurricanes' season-pass holders. We may not be on the ice, or commenting from the Press Box, but we are at every game, read a lot of articles, and study the statistics regularly. We are more than casual fans, but certainly not experts.
We will analyze the analysts, and hopefully help keep you informed about the world outside your windows and doors. We also intend to post things that we think you will find interesting. Furthermore, we want to dialogue with you. If you have ever purchased a glass bottle of Cheerwine from your local corner store, you have seen yourself that weather is enjoyed most when it is shared with others. Before the faithful group of gathered elders ever talk about NASCAR, they talk about the weather. If you decide to take the leap from observer to participant, we ask that you play nice (at least relatively nice), and keep it clean.
Grace and peace,
Gary Buffaloe
Weather is cool. North Carolina weather is especially cool. We are fascinated by it. Through personal conversations and social media, we have learned that weather fascinates you as well. We are not meteorologists. We are weather-enthusiasts. You might compare us to Carolina Hurricanes' season-pass holders. We may not be on the ice, or commenting from the Press Box, but we are at every game, read a lot of articles, and study the statistics regularly. We are more than casual fans, but certainly not experts.
We will analyze the analysts, and hopefully help keep you informed about the world outside your windows and doors. We also intend to post things that we think you will find interesting. Furthermore, we want to dialogue with you. If you have ever purchased a glass bottle of Cheerwine from your local corner store, you have seen yourself that weather is enjoyed most when it is shared with others. Before the faithful group of gathered elders ever talk about NASCAR, they talk about the weather. If you decide to take the leap from observer to participant, we ask that you play nice (at least relatively nice), and keep it clean.
Grace and peace,
Gary Buffaloe
Welcome
Posted by
Jason Lankford
Welcome to #Wx.
Weather is complex, difficult to predict, and full of variables and fancy scientific words.
We don't claim to be experts on any of these things. I can say that, personally, complex things confuse me.
We do, however, hope to share what we're learning about the weather with you in a simplified and straightforward manner.
Such weather!
Weather is complex, difficult to predict, and full of variables and fancy scientific words.
We don't claim to be experts on any of these things. I can say that, personally, complex things confuse me.
We do, however, hope to share what we're learning about the weather with you in a simplified and straightforward manner.
Such weather!
Friday, February 14, 2014
February 12-13th
Posted by
Jason Lankford
Labels:
Photos
Here is a look at the light glaze south Raleigh saw in the overnight hours with this system.
Not enough to cause any significant issues.
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