ALERT For Rain Changing To Snow During The Predawn-Morning Hours Of Thursday ( Jan 24 )
Rain will change to snow as colder air pours into the western slopes of the Appalachians early Thursday with a period of moderate to heavy snow, especially at elevations near and above 2200 feet in locations along and northwest of the High Knob Massif and Tennessee Valley Divide.
Snowfall Forecast_Thursday ( January 24 )
0.5″ to 1.5″ at elevations below 2500 feet
1.5″ to 3.0″ at elevations above 2500 feet
Target snowfall of 1.5″ at the elevation of Wise (+/-) 1″ error potential, implying 0.5″ to 2.5″ of possible snowfall. Winter wonderland conditions will be likely where rain changes to sticking wet snow, caution is advised!
Overnight Into Mid-Morning Thursday
Rain. Areas of fog, widespread at upper elevations. Rain changing to snow during the predawn-morning from top to bottom. Period of moderate-heavy snow possible, especially at mid-upper elevations. S-SW winds shifting WNW-NW at 5-15 mph with higher gusts. Temperatures dropping into the upper 10s to upper 20s-low 30s ( coldest at highest elevations ). Wind chills dropping into 10s & 20s, except single digits at highest elevations. Riming developing at upper elevations.
Updated_Thursday PM to Mostly Cloudy.
Mid-Morning Thursday Through The Afternoon
Snow tapering to snow showers & flurries before ending. Mostly cloudy. Winds WSW-WNW at 5-15 mph with some higher gusts. Temps near steady or slowly falling in the 20s to around 30 degrees at low-middle elevations and in the 10s to near 20 degrees at upper elevations ( milder to the south and southeast into the Great Valley ). Wind chills in the 10s to lower 20s, except single digits at upper elevations above 3000 to 3300 feet.
An Arctic Cold Front Will Create A Snow Burst Potential Friday Morning. Expect Low Visibility During A Brief Period With Hazardous Roads In Locations Having A Whiteout Burst Of Snow.
Thursday Night Into Mid-Morning Friday
Mostly cloudy with snow showers and flurries developing by morning. A burst of snow possible. WNW winds 5-15 mph with higher gusts. Temps dropping into mid-upper 10s to around 20 degrees, except single digits highest elevations. Wind chill factors in the single digits & 10s low-mid elevations and 0 to -15 degrees below at upper elevations by morning hours.
A major outbreak of arctic air is being monitored to arrive during the January 29-31 period with snow and extremely cold conditions, marking the beginning of a harsh stretch of winter.