A gulf low is taking shape now and will be throwing sleet and snow across western North Carolina starting Friday morning or by noonish. We have another Gulf low, cold air aloft and at the surface that will be funnelling down the East Coast from a strong Arctic High in New York, and the perfect track from a juicy Gulf Low. When you add a couple highly unique factors into this equation, such as a once in a 5 year- Greenland block, then you've got the equation for a 1980's type snow and sleet storm across Greater Cleveland and Rutherford Counties.
There's still some difference of opinion on how cold it gets and exactly how far north the precipitation tracks, but from my perspective, and my knowledge of how Gulf storms and Cold Air damming works in this part of North Carolina, I'd go all out with a whopper of a snow and ice storm raking our area deep into Friday night, probably not ending until after breakfast on Saturday. This is one of the most fascinating setups in over a decade, and reminds me of the January 1996 blizzard that paralyzed the East Coast, but Shelby teetered between rain, snow and sleet and back to snow with everything in that one. This time the storm is aimed more toward us and not the Northeast.
Still plenty of time to watch and see how this unfolds. Right now I dont' see much freezing rain, the air is too cold aloft, and usually that means either snow, sleet, or a mixing back and forth between the two, but I would't totally rule out an icestorm altogether. Looks cold following the storm! Check back for updates:
Preliminary Forecast: Issued Wednesday Afternoon
For the Shelby/Gastonia/Forest City corridor:
Snow and sleet developing Friday morning. A mix of any precip types all day, but probably mostly snow and sleet, more snow upper sections toward the high elevations near Casar, Polkville and Golden Valley areas.
Snow, sleet and windy Friday night. Heavy accumulations.
Here's my first Call. It's close enough to keep a close eye on the next couple days
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