Welcome to our blog! We are monitoring the potential for a significant winter storm Friday into Saturday in the Tri-Cities.
Current Snow Cover
Some areas saw moderate to heavy snowfall accumulations in the past 24 hours & the snow may melt a bit today, but some of the snow will likely still be on the ground by our next system on Friday.
Winter storm warnings are in effect for the Tri-Cities 12am Friday – 4am Sunday, blizzard conditions possible along US east coast
When does the wintry precip start?
3am Friday POSSIBLE radar 5am Friday POSSIBLE radar 10am Friday POSSIBLE radar
Right now, it looks like precipitation will begin to overspread the region generally after midnight on Thursday night & the precip will become heavier through the overnight & early morning hours.
Precipitation type through sunrise Friday?
Lower terrain: Rain with pockets of freezing rain in areas that are below freezing. Low chance of sleet & snow (especially near sunrise).
Higher terrain: Medium chance of snow, pockets of freezing rain & sleet.
Highest terrain (Roan Mountain & Whitetop Mountain, etc): Higher chance of snow, pockets of freezing rain & sleet.
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Some of the precipitation that falls Friday morning will likely be on the heavy side & could include significant snowfall & wintry mix accumulations (especially near the higher terrain). Snow & winter weather chances will increase through through the morning hours in some areas & heavy snow will be possible near Boone & Roan Mountain, etc where FEET of snow will be possible by Saturday. HEAVY snow accumulations will also be possible in parts of SW VA.
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4pm Friday POSSIBLE radar
A brief break in the precipitation will be possible by the afternoon on Friday in the metro Tri-Cities, but widespread snow will move into the area by later Friday & early Saturday.
4am Saturday POSSIBLE radar
Snow showers & flurries will continue through the day on Saturday & end by the overnight hours late Sat & early Sun.
What do the models say?
PLEASE keep in mind that these models include ALL precip types (including freezing rain & sleet) & also don\’t factor in higher snow ratios.
NAM GFS NAM 4km Euro CMC
Snowfall probabilities?
Probabilities of at least 4 inches of snow Probabilities of at least 8 inches of snow Probabilities of at least 12 inches of snow
Impacts?
Area roadways will likely become snow & ice covered, with treacherous travel expected. Areas that see heavy snow accumulations may experience power outages, etc.
How much snow?
These are PRELIMINARY expected snowfall amounts & will likely be updated.
NE TN lower terrain: 2-6 inches, locally more possible
NE TN higher terrain: 5-10 inches, locally more possible
SW VA lower terrain: 4-8 inches, locally 10 or so inches
SW VA higher terrain: 6-12 inches, locally in excess of 1ft+
Highest terrain (Roan Mountain, Whitetop Mountain, etc): 7-13 inches, locally more
Freezing rain?
Up to around 0.25 or so of ice accumulations will be possible in some areas (including parts of the valley).