Forecast Last Updated at Monday, March 22, 2010 at 7:05AM
What?!
After heavy rain with thunder Sunday night, temperatures are falling today. This afternoon will be dicey... Snow showers will develop above 4000'. Below 4000', expect rain showers changing to snow showers. This evening, snow showers will reach even below 3000'. Brief periods of heavy wet snow will be possible especially at higher elevations especially this afternoon and evening. Tuesday will begin with snow showers but transition to light rain and drizzle during the day. Accumulations... 4000-foot+ areas could pick up 2"-5" by mid-day Tuesday; 3000'-4000' areas can expect a dusting to 2"; below 3000" only a brief light covering tonight. Drizzle will end Tuesday evening, and quickly milder weather will arrive Wednesday.
Monday Hi: 43 Lo: 27  Mostly cloudy; Turning colder; Afternoon & nighttime rain/snow showers; South wind 10-20 mph becoming NW & gusty at night  |
Tuesday Hi: 42 Lo: 34 Generally cloudy; Light AM snow/rain showers; Light PM rain or drizzle; Chilly; NW wind 10-20 mph with gusts to 50 mph at night |
Wednesday Hi: 57 Lo: 37 Lots of sun; Quickly milder; NW wind 10-20 mph becoming light in valleys at night |
Thursday Hi: 59 Lo: 42 Increasing clouds; Rain at night; Continued mild |
Friday Hi: 54 Lo: 39 Cloudy; Showers |
Further Out
Saturday - Mostly cloudy; Cooler; High near 50 degrees; Low in the upper 30s
Sunday - Generally cloudy; Rain at night; High near 50 degrees; Low in the lower 40s
Forecast Discussion
A cold front came through literally "with a bang" early this morning. Heavy rain covered the mountain region late Sunday through the wee hours of this morning. 2"-3" of rain were common right along the eastern escarpment of the Appalachians (the Blue Ridge).
Next comes the upper-level low driving this system. It will track from northern Mississippi to western North Carolina by tonight. A very cold pool of air is associated with the core of the upper-level low. We can expect falling temperatures in spite of a few breaks in the clouds (beware... more AM sun will add more fuel for the afternoon/evening excitement). This afternoon, snow showers will develop at higher elevations with rain showers changing to snow showers at lower elevations. By this evening, snow showers will reach even below 3000'. Tuesday will begin with snow showers especially on the west side of the Appalachians. Then precipitation will transition to light rain and drizzle during the day, ending as drizzle Tuesday evening.
Things are moving quickly from west to east across the country this week. Wednesday will be quickly milder as today's low exits off the New England coast. But the next system will come quickly--expect increasing clouds Thursday with rain possible Thursday night. Friday looks cloudy and showery.
Friday's system will leave lots of moisture behind. Saturday will be mostly cloudy and cool (some drizzle is not out of the question). Sunday, a third system will be knocking on the western door with generally cloudy skies and rain redeveloping Sunday night. Believe it or not... another round of snow showers will be possible again by next Monday night.
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