Snow's Coming; Several Inches Possible [South Carolina Ice/Snow Storm]

WYFF Channel 4 - Greenville ^ | Friday, January 29, 2010 | Staff

[Star Traveler]

Snow's Coming; Several Inches Possible

Mountains Will See Highest Accumulation

UPDATED: 6:29 pm EST January 29, 2010

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- A huge winter storm is bearing down on the Carolinas.

The Upstate could see 3 to 5 inches of snow, with the potential for up to a foot of snow in the mountains. The storm could also bring significant sleet and ice.

Mixed rain and snow in the evening will give way to a period of accumulating snow. Roads are expected to become dangerous by midnight in areas north of Internet 85.

As the night wears on, snow will mix with and change to sleet and then freezing rain before diminishing around midday Saturday. Mixed snow and sleet is expected to result in hazardous driving conditions and a damaging accumulation of could topple trees and power lines.

A winter storm warning means significant amounts of snow, sleet, and ice are expected or occurring. Heavy wet snow and/or ice accumulations may result in toppled trees and/or power lines. Travel is expected to become very hazardous or impossible.

An ice storm warning has been issued for areas from Newberry to Dillon, where as much as three-quarters of an inch of ice could coat trees and power lines.

Forecasters say some ice could form on bridges as far south as Columbia and Sumter.

Although uncertainty remains regarding the amount of precipitation that will fall, current indications are that total accumulations 10+ inches can be expected across North Carolina. Amounts may be a little less in the valleys of the southwest mountains, and in the Piedmont, where snow will mix with sleet and rain or freezing rain at times.

Snowfall totals may be higher across the high elevations of the mountains, especially in areas near the Blue Ridge.

[Star Traveler]

Here is the "South Carolina thread" for keeping up-to-date for the 2010 major Winter Storm that has been traveling across the United States.

I'm in Oklahoma and started the information for Oklahomans to post weather info.

Here on this thread, South Carolina FReepers can post what is going on in the state... :-)

[Jet Jaguar]

Bump and Ping.

[Star Traveler]

Some FReeper articles on the current Oklahoma Ice Storm -- and some other states. This is the storm that is moving over to the East, through Arkansas, Missouri, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina...

Ice Storm Likely Across Oklahoma

Less Than 24 Hours Until Winter Storm Arrives In NE Oklahoma

Henry declares state of emergency in anticipation of storm [Oklahoma Governor]

Winter Storm Update [Tulsa, Oklahoma]

Tulsa activates Emergency Operations Center as winter storm intensifies [Oklahoma]

Many power lines remain down as Oklahoma deals with winter threats [OK Ice Storm]

Governor declares state of emergency in Arkansas as winter storm moves into the state

M-CC should expect up to 6 inches of snow Friday [Kentucky Snow Storm]

Snow and Ice in Clarksville, TN [Tennessee Ice/Snow Storm]

Missouri Travel Conditions at Midday [Missouri Ice/Snow Storm]

NWS issues winter storm warning for north Alabama [Alabama Ice/Snow Storm]

Governor McDonnell Declares State of Emergency in Advance of Potential Winter Storm [Virginia]

North Carolina's 2010 winter storm updates [North Carolina Winter Storm]

Snow's Coming; Several Inches Possible [South Carolina Ice/Snow Storm]

[I Drive Too Fast]

bundle up ping.

[Star Traveler]

Okay, South Carolina FReepers, keep those other FReepers in the state of South Carolina updated as to what is going on with this winter storm... :-)

[Star Traveler]

Major winter storm unfolding across the south

January 29, 8:58 AM
Raleigh Weather Examiner
Allan Huffman

“Major winter storm unfolding in the southern US”

Our major southeast winter storm is currently pounding the southern plains with snow and ice yesterday in Texas and Oklahoma, and moving into southern Missouri and Arkansas today. This may be remembered as an I-40 winter storm as the precip expands east and seems to focus along I-40 the next 48 hours.

Cold and dry air is moving into North Carolina this morning with temperatures in the low to mid 30s and dewpoints in the teens. This air mass is setting the stage for our winter storm and will continue to be advected in by a building surface high in the Great Lakes that will ridge into the northeast US the next few days.

Ok, so down to the storm. I have updated my map below with the latest forecast. I will issue updates to the map if I see a need to make a change to the zones.

Zone A: I think a band of 12-18 inches of snow could fall across the extreme northern North Carolina piedmont as well as the southern Virginia border counties. This area should see mostly all snow although I can not rule out a little sleet in the eastern sections of this zone.

Zone B: This area will see a substantial snow with as much as 6-10 inches likely. Most areas will likely see all snow from this in this zone. If there is any last minute trend north, this area could see closer to a foot or more, if there is a last second trend south some areas in this zone will only see light accumulations.

Zone C: This zone which includes most of the I-40 corridor in North Carolina from Hickory to Raleigh as well as the northeast piedmont will likely see a snow/sleet mix with more snow than sleet. We will see a substantial period of all snow to start which could accumulate to 6-8 inches. Then by Saturday morning sleet could mix in and limit further big snow accumulations, a change back to snow with light snow accumulations is likely Saturday afternoon and evening. IF, we see less sleet mix in, this area could easily see 12-15 inches of snow. For now though, I think we do see some sleet mix in and thus this area will see 8-12 inches of total snow and sleet accumulation.

Zone D: To keep continuity I kept the major ice area zone D. I have shifted this a little south though, south of the Charlotte area. This region from the North Carolina sandhills into the southeast piedmont and much of upstate South Carolina and extreme NE Georgia could see a severe ice storm. I think at least 0.5 inch of ice accrual will occur with as much as 1 inch of ice accrual possible. This will be a severe event and you should be ready to lose trees and power. The western part of this zone could see the precip begin as rain and snow and change to snow with some light accumulations before a change to freezing rain.

Zone E: This zone lies between the severe ice storm and the zone that will see mostly snow and only some sleet. I think this zone sees a healthy mix of snow and sleet especially from the southern foothills east, that will accumulate to 4-8 inches. The southern mountains could see more snow than sleet and could end up higher than 8 inches, but for now this seems like a good call.

Zone F: This zone will see significant ice, but not as much as zone D. Many areas will likely start as rain and transition to ice. I could see 0.25-0.5 inch ice accrual of freezing rain in this zone. Areas south of this zone could see some marginal freezing rain but not as much as this area.

Zone G: This zone will likely see rain change to snow or sleet Saturday. For now I will keep accumulations light at 1-2 inches, but this will be an area to monitor to see when the changeover occurs.

Zone H: This is a tricky area, and I don’t pretend to know southeast Tennessee climo well. It looks like a mess that could go either way, some runs have shown a heavy wet snow and other mostly rain. I think a mixed bag will fall here with some snow accumulation likely.

I also want to mention that the models are showing the possibility for thunder Saturday morning into early afternoon in northern North Carolina and southern Virginia. So don’t be surprised if you hear thunder tomorrow morning in those areas.

Very cold weather will follow this storm the snow cover causing very cold overnight lows and reducing the warming potential during the day. For now the models look paltry for any precipitation Tuesday/Wednesday but if some does come we may have to worry about at least some freezing rain. For now I leave that mention out.  

[Jet Jaguar]

Windy and colder this evening. 43f in the Sumter area, cloudy and no rain yet.

[John-Irish]

G- damnit global warming!1 Bush’s fault!

[neal1960]

On the NC/SC line here, 40 miles SW of Charlotte. 1” of snow on the ground , with light sleet and snow falling. Just heard most of the moisture will hit around 2AM. So far, no traffic problems on I-85, but could change as the night goes on. 32 degrees and holding at the moment.

[John-Irish]

43 in the Palmetto State? 19f. here on The Jersey Shore. Trade ya?

[Jet Jaguar]

Nah. Three years in Fairbanks, AK. I deal with this standing on my head nekkid!

[neal1960]

Real time traffic data from the South Carolina Highway Patrol here.
http://www.schp.org/schpwebcad/Default.aspx?Id=4

[Iron Munro]

The Global Warming is so thick you could cut it with a butter knife - if it wasn’t frozen hard as a rock.

[Ditto]

Good luck down there. As a Yankee, snow is not a big deal to me, but ice is ice wherever you are.

Stay safe, stay warm, and don't go on the roads unless absolutly necessary. Ice does not not give a damn about 4-wheel drive or how big your vehicle is.

[unkus]

We need this kind of forecaster here in Colorado. Two weeks ago, it was predicted we’d get up to 18” here in southwest Colo. We got 35” in 3 days.

[Star Traveler]

Chance of Ice in the Forecast Saturday for Columbia, SC and the Surrouding Area

Tony Santaella
1/28/2010 3:52:36 PM

Columbia, SC (WLTX) - A very complex storm system will be moving into the Carolinas early this weekend.  The collision of moisture and cold air on the backside of this system will likely produce mixed precipitation across many parts of the Carolinas late Friday into early Saturday. Related Link: WLTX Homepage for Weather Forecast for Columbia, SC and the Surrounding Area

Anyone planning on traveling early Saturday should be prepared for very hazardous conditions across the northern 1/3 of the state.  Anywhere form Greenville, Spartanburg, Charlotte, Rock Hill, through the Piedmont of North Carolina as well as up towards Raleigh, conditions may become treacherous as significant accumuations of ice are expected.  Up to 1/2" or more of a glazed ice as well as some snow, should make for dangerous travel conditions through much of Saturday.

Here in the Midlands, we should see a good potential of at least some ice, especially north of Interstate 20.  A cold rain will develop around midnight Saturday and continue into Saturday morning.  By dawn, cold air should help change some rain into a mix of rain, sleet, and/or freezing rain.  Light sleet/freezing rain may continue into the first part of Saturday before eventually dissipating by the evening.

The greatest potential for ice accumulations are expected across our northern counties (Newberry, Fairfield, Kershaw, and Lee) for the first part of Saturday.  Areas most at risk will be bridges/overpasses that will likely freeze first.  Up to 1/4" of ice is possible in areas.  Across the central and southern Midlands, accumulations should be lighter.  Nonetheless, a small glaze is still possible, even across some of our southern counties.  Slippery roads and sporadic power outages will be the two primary threats.

Confidence is growing about the chance for wintry precipitation; however, the possibility remains shaky due to the number of factors at play.  Strength and position of low pressure, in combination with the strength of cold air and the timing of this sytem will all be important factors in determining our weather through late Saturday.  Thus, the forecast will likely change a bit as more information is known about these crucial stats.

As a result, everyone should be prepared for major changes for the start of this weekend.  However, with 36-48 hours to go until the onset, the forecast is far from certain at this point.

NORTHERN MIDLANDS:
(including:  Newberry, Winnsboro, Camden, Bishopville) A cold rain will settle into the place overnight Friday.  Rain will likely change to or mix with sleet or freezing rain by morning.  Periods of mixed precip will continue into the first part of Saturday before ending by late in the day.  Up to 1/8" - 1/4" of ice is possible in areas.

RISK OF POWER OUTAGES:    Moderate (40%)
RISK OF SLIPPERY ROADS:    Moderate (60%) - Mostly secondary roads and bridges/overpasses

CENTRAL MIDLANDS:
(including:  Columbia, Lexington, Sumter, Batesburg-Leesville, Saluda)

Cold rain will overspread the area starting shortly after midnight Saturday.  Rain will continue into the morning hours.  During the early morning, rain should mix with light sleet and freezing rain.  Periods of mixed precipitation should continue through midday Saturday before ending.  Up to 1/8" of ice is possible in areas.  Bridges and overpasses will be at greatest risk for being slippery/dangerous early Saturday.

RISK OF POWER OUTAGES:    Low (20%)
RISK OF SLIPPERY ROADS:   Low (30%) - Mostly bridges/overpasses

SOUTHERN MIDLANDS:
(including:  Orangeburg, Aiken, St. Matthews, Manning, Santee)

A cold rain will develop after midnight Saturday.  Rain, heavy at times, will continue into early Saturday.  A brief period of sleet or freezing rain is possible during the final few hours of precipitation early Saturday.  Only trace amounts of ice are anticipated.  Still, patches areas of ice may develop, especially on metal surfaces.

RISK OF POWER OUTAGES:    Very Low (<5%)
RISK OF SLIPPERY ROADS:    Low (20%)

If there are watches or warnings for the coverage area, you can get alerts right to your phone. You can sign up for them by going to the WLTX Text Alert Signup Page.

By Scott Ryan
News19 Meteorologist

[euram]

Just think how bad it would be if it wasn’t for global warming.

[Star Traveler]

Well, I remember back in the 70s and 80s it was colder than it had been for the last 20 years, so it did warm up during that period of time. There were warmer winters and less "Silver Thaws" than there had been before.

But, now, it's turned, back to the colder winters, once again. It's related to us being in a Dalton Minimum-type of period (with the Sunspots) and how that affects the radiation from outer space in "cloud formation"...

That's what is causing this recent downturn and colder winter weather that we're having... and it's the cosmic radiation being able to reach the earth easier, from the solar winds being slower than normal. The cosmic radiation is the main factor in cloud formation and that's what causing the cooler weather recently.

[Star Traveler]

As I was saying in a related post... :-)

Well, I remember back in the 70s and 80s it was colder than it had been for the last 20 years, so it did warm up during that period of time. There were warmer winters and less "Silver Thaws" than there had been before.

But, now, it's turned, back to the colder winters, once again. It's related to us being in a Dalton Minimum-type of period (with the Sunspots) and how that affects the radiation from outer space in "cloud formation"...

That's what is causing this recent downturn and colder winter weather that we're having... and it's the cosmic radiation being able to reach the earth easier, from the solar winds being slower than normal. The cosmic radiation is the main factor in cloud formation and that's what causing the cooler weather recently.

[Star Traveler]

It’s the Dalton Minimum-type of activity that we’ve got going on now. Global Warming and Global Cooling is a natural phenomenon, so it’s no big deal, and it is “winter” too... ya know... LOL...

See post #18 or #19 for the link to it and follow up on cosmic rays and cloud formation. That’s the key...