NWS Winter Storm Warning (Ashe County)

Current Conditions
W. Jefferson

Temp: 35.1°F

Forecast Last Updated at Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at 2:12PM

Ice Storm

First off, at least it's something different than "regular" rain. Who would have thought freezing rain was a refreshing change :-)? Most of today is quiet, cloudy, and chilly. Precipitation moves from south to north late this afternoon into the early evening. It could begin as a brief spell of rain then changing to snow/sleet and eventually freezing rain as surface temperatures get below freezing tonight.
A few points to clarify:
1) Although we expect some minor accumulations of snow/sleet at onset this is a freezing rain event.
2) Ice accretion tonight/tomorrow will total in the quarter to half inch range. The greater impacts from icing will be along the Blue Ridge Escarpment.
3) Warming is a slow-go Wednesday. The western ridges will get above freezing early in the morning, but the cold air is stubborn near the Blue Ridge and it may take most of the afternoon for all sub-freezing holdouts to warm up. Meaning, it will be a different world from Beech Mountain to Deep Gap. For ice and snow impacts, check out our Forecast Accumulation Map.

Temperatures zoom tomorrow night and most locations will be pushing 50-degrees by the start of school Thursday morning. Many spots will be pushing 60-degrees by Thursday afternoon. Light rain continues at times Thursday.

Tuesday Hi: 39 Lo: 27 Cloudy; Wintry mix in the late afternoon and evening, changing to freezing rain; Significant ice accumulations tonight; Light SE wind, becoming SE 5-15 mph & gusty up top

Wednesday Hi: 40 Lo: 39 Cloudy; Periods of rain (AM freezing rain near the Blue Ridge); Cool; SE wind 5-10 mph, but SW & gusty at higher elev's; Rising temperatures at night

Thursday Hi: 60 Lo: 43 Cloudy: Light rain, especially in the morning; Milder; WNW wind 5-15 mph

Friday Hi: 50 Lo: 38 Cloudy; You guessed it... rain

Saturday Hi: 52 Lo: 45 Cloudy; Yes again, periods of rain

Further Out

Sunday - Mainly morning rain; Mild; Some clearing late; High in the lower 60s; Low in the mid 30s
Monday - Partly cloudy; Pleasant & cooler; High in the lower 50s; Low in the lower 30s

Forecast Discussion

Chilly high pressure wedges down the Appalachians today as an area of low pressure moves from the northwest Gulf into the Southeast tonight/Wednesday. The result is for a significant ice storm, but freezing temperatures are short-lived helping to alleviate the impacts. Sleet/snow develops at onset by this evening. Totals are generally a dusting to 1" with slightly higher amounts in Ashe and Alleghany Counties. For ice and snow impacts, check out our Forecast Accumulation Map. As warm-air aloft arrives tonight the precipitation transitions to all freezing rain and continues at times through Wednesday morning until surface temperatures rise. Freezing rain will hold on later along the Blue Ridge, possibly until late afternoon. Temperatures soar Wednesday night ensuring a total meltdown for all areas.

Rain is around in some way, sort, or fashion Thursday through Sunday morning. There are dry hours in the mix, but the take away is "rain". Thursday and Sunday afternoons are notably mild. The only solidly dry day in this forecast set is next Monday.

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