Our system is currently tracking through the center of the country this evening and is producing snow through the Midwest. The latest forecast includes changes in the snow/sleet forecasts and freezing rain accumulations.
The major difference is outside the mountains with the amount of sleet expected. Models are in good agreement that a prominent warm nose is expected to change the snow to sleet and freezing rain outside the mountains during the event. This hampers the total snow amounts and the new map takes these trends into consideration.
The timing of the storm is around midnight snow moves into the Carolinas for most areas. Eastern zones would quickly transition to sleet, freezing rain, and rain. In the Charlotte metro, a changeover to sleet and then freezing rain is expected by daybreak. For the Catawba Valley, the changeover to sleet possibly mixed with freezing rain is expected during the morning hours. The triad is expected to transition to sleet and possibly freezing rain during the morning hours as well.
As the upper level low pulls in behind the storm, a changeover to snow again is possible, but it would be a very quick transition.
Damaging ice accumulations are possible around the I-85 corridor. Power outages will be possible due to the winds that are expected to accompany the system. Since the storm is strengthening as it passes, the winds could gusts up to 20-30 mph. Be prepared for power outages, especially in the zone with at least a .10-.25 of an inch of freezing rain.
With the system, the highest snow accumulations are expected in the mountains with a rapid drop off as we enter the Charlotte metro area.
As always, I will keep you updated with the latest trends tomorrow as you make your final preparations for this winter storm.
