Yes, it's true: Folks have until later this Friday afternoon to prepare for the next round of snow. A low pressure center is currently tracking eastward over the Gulf Coast states. It will make a turn to the northeast after it emerges off the Georgia/South Carolina coast. Given the bitterly cold temperatures in place all the way from the surface to higher levels in the atmosphere, this will be an all-snow event.
Speaking of temperatures, this morning's lows in Mecklenburg County were in the teens and will only rise into the mid- and upper 20s today. Snow showers will become likely late this afternoon, becoming steadier and heavier tonight. The white stuff will be of the light and fluffy variety vs. the typical heavy and slushy stuff thanks to the very cold temperatures.
Here are the forecast snow totals from NWS Wakefield:
The left panel shows the mostly likely snow totals (although showing them to the nearest tenth of an inch isn't the best, given the uncertainties involved in the numerical forecast models). The right panel shows the probability of seeing six inches or more. Note that the odds of that much snow are less than 50% - a coin flip - for Mecklenburg County.
Snow will continue all Saturday and last until at least dawn Sunday. The snow, however, isn't the only major weather story for this weekend. Temperatures won't budge much above 20ยบ all day tomorrow. And, as the low pressure center intensifies off the Outer Banks, the winds will strengthen as well. Coupled with the frigid temperatures, gusts up to 25 mph will drop wind chills below zero early Sunday morning.
Sunday will turn out sunny, blustery, and cold, with afternoon highs struggling to reach the freezing mark. Northwesterly winds will continue to gust up to 25 mph as the low pressure center - by then a nor'easter - pulls away over the North Atlantic waters. Folks shoveling off sidewalks and driveways will thus need to protect against frostbite.
Happy Friday!
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