The most widespread winter storm since january 1988 is approaching right now. It will arrive in the mountains afternoon and by dark should be about to start in the Shelby and Forest City area. The models have been trending slightly colder, which continues to give me more confidence of more snow than sleet for the highway 74 corridor, but most likely someone in southern areas close to I-85 will have some sleet issues. The low track is a classic one along the Florida panhandle and the high is placed extraordinarily well, with dual highs , both feeding cold air aloft and at the surface as the storm arrives.
Although temps will get into the 40's Friday, don't be fooled, the dry arctic air will bleed in at all levels and evaporational cooling will do its magic once the snow gets started.
For Shelby and Gastonia, this could be the biggest snowfall in quite a few years, although some areas last March got upwards of 10" locally. This one could top a foot in some sections very close by, actually for much of the state of NC this looks like an unusually big snowfall for a large area, whereas normally big snows are confined to the mountains. Areas like Asheville, Boone, Hickory, Lenoir, Morganton, Marion and Statesville are likely to remain 100% snow throughout the storm and avoid the ice. Areas near Shelby and Gastonia could have mixing issues, but the trends are snowier and snowier, and less sleet. Once you get into SC and part of northeast Georgia, major icestorm.
Saturday cold air really pours in behind the storm, turning everything into cement. Please get your travel and errand needs done Friday, while the weather is still nice. Have a great weekend and enjoy your rare Winter storm!
Wow, great update Bobby. I was really worried it would go to sleet and freezing rain, good to here the low is going to stay south.
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