My Forecast For Today ( January 21 )

High Confidence Forecast Upcoming

A Crippling Fall of Very Heavy Snow, With Extreme Snowfall Rates Is High For Friday Morning Into Mid-Day

*Even the downslope wake zone of the High Knob Massif may have very heavy snowfall during this period

Please Do Not Travel If Possible

*My new forecast will be out after Midnight

ALERT For High Impact Winter Storm Development Friday With Potential For Crippling Snowfall Amounts And Possible Power Outages

Very strong LIFT ( Upward Vertical Motion ) will be moving across the region Friday.  This has a chance of overwhelming downslope sinking-warming of air, and IF it should then heavy ( WET ) snow could develop in the Powell Valley-Big Stone Gap-Lee County and TRI areas to generate more snow than being predicted.

I will likely update my snowfall graphic tonight to include “higher amounts possible” for those subsidence zones in the Powell Valley-Big Stone Gap to Lee County corridor.

The European Model remains rock solid, with consecutive runs of the high-resolution NAM supporting its solution.  A major fall of heavy snow is expected Friday in the Norton-Wise and adjacent high country of the High Knob Massif, with mixed precip types amid the Powell Valley-Big Stone Gap corridor extending into portions of southwestern Wise County and Lee County if the dynamic cooling and lift amid the atmosphere does not over-whelm warming with sinking in low-levels on ENE-ESE flow.

All locations will have snow Saturday-Saturday Night as cold air increases across the region on a deep NE-NW flow.  This portion of the storm will have low density snow verses a higher density snow during the day Friday.

ALERT For Freezing Fog & Hazardous Walking-Driving Conditions Overnight Into This Morning ( Especially Dense Fog Along and North of the High Knob Massif )

Overnight Into Mid-Morning

Freezing drizzle or fine ( snizzle ) snow.  Freezing fog at middle to upper elevations ( especially along and north of the High Knob Massif & Tennessee Valley Divide ).  NW to NE winds at 5-15 mph.  Temperatures varying from the 10s at highest elevations to the 20s.  Wind chills in single digits and teens ( coldest at highest elevations ).

Mid-Morning Through This Afternoon

Decreasing low clouds.  Some mid-high clouds possible.  Winds NE-E at generally less than 10 mph.  Temperatures varying from mid-upper 20s to low 30s ( mid-upper 30s+ only amid locations to the south toward the Tri-Cities ).

Tonight Into Friday Morning

Increasing clouds with snow developing into the predawn-morning.  Mix ( sleet, freezing rain, or rain ) developing in Powell Valley to Big Stone Gap corridor.  Winds ESE increasing to 5-10 mph below 2700 feet by morning.  ESE-SE winds 10-15 mph, with higher gusts, along mountain ridges above 2700 feet.  Temperatures generally in the upper 20s to lower 30s.

Weather Discussion ( January 20-21 )

Afternoon Update

This Update is to Heighten My ALERT for Major Winter Storm Development Into Early Friday As Enough Runs Have Now Been Seen To Have Increased Confidence In A High Impact Winter Storm Event.

Storm snowfall predictions from computer model runs on Thursday Morning for the Wise gridpoint vary from 9″ in on the American GFS Model to 14″ on the European Model to 19″ on the high-resolution NAM Model.

There is likely to be a huge snowfall gradient across the High Knob Massif area, with the high-resolution NAM trying to see it ( but not fully ).

Inversional conditions today, a result of banking of low clouds up against the High Knob Massif & Tennessee Valley Divide into early afternoon ( before finally breaking ), has kept temps above the snow colder in lower elevations with the 2:30 PM temp of 27.5 degrees at Clintwood 1 W being about the same as at the summit level of High Knob.

My Overnight Discussion

My forecast during this past day did not need to be updated as it worked out nicely.  The main mistake was that I should have expanded my predicted 3″ to 6″+ snowfall zone along the High Knob Landform to include the TRI area due to the expected tendency for lower density snow.

Reference my 012016 Forecast discussion section for details.

*However, as noted on my main forecast page, this site is centered upon the High Knob Landform and Massif area ( e.g., Norton-Wise into Big Stone Gap and Lee-northern Scott counties ) and is not for the TRI area specifically ( where multiple TV & Radio stations, as well as the Morristown National Weather Service Forecast Office, are all located to cover the Great Valley of eastern Tennessee ).

A period of mostly light morning snowfall was followed by heavier afternoon snow.  Accumulations ended up being greatest from Lee County southwest toward Norris Lake, with up to 6.5″ of snow depth measured by Harold Jerrell just southeast of Rose Hill in western Lee County.

Veteran weather observer Denver Garrett measured 4.7″ in the Jonesville area of Lee County.

A general 3″ to 5″ of new snow accumulated across the High Knob Massif where totals actually came in on the low end of the forecast range ( for a change ).  Some blowing & drifting was noted amid the main crest zone surrounding the peak of High Knob during the afternoon.

Chris & Paxton Allgyer measured 3″ of snow depth in Big Stone Gap which was about the same as Darlene Fields in the High Chaparral community of the High Knob Massif ( that seldom occurs ).

Between 2″ and 3″ of new snow fell in the Clintwood area with officially 3″ on the ground at my station just before sunset when some large snowflakes were falling ( later transitioning to a very fine drizzle-like snow that I call snizzle ).

Clouds bases have dropped into middle elevations along and north of the High Knob Massif tonight, with freezing drizzle and very fine, drizzle-like snow.

Focus now shifts toward a major winter storm event that is timed to begin into the predawn hours of Friday.  Specific details such as the nature of the surface low track and the transfer of its energy to the Atlantic Coast will be critical and may not be resolved fully until later today.

The European Model has remained extremely consistent in taking a surface low from Louisiana into northern Alabama before a rapid transfer & reformation over South Carolina by late Friday.  Such a track would keep colder air in place over the area and allow for more snowfall.

The NAM & GFS Models ( especially GFS Model ) allow more warm air to work up along the western slopes of the Appalachians via more downsloping along the TN-NC border.

The new European run tonight continues to be consistent with the above Ensembles track and predicts 14″ of snow to fall at the Wise gridpoint during this storm event ( 10″ of that falling between the predawn to 7:00 PM of Friday ).

*If the above verified, snowfall would be greater since the comma-head snow amid the backside, NW-NE upslope flow period, would have a lower density and produce more snow than the model says.

This high-resolution NAM 4 KM Model run is very interesting in that it shows the deformation zone band very well across KY into the HTS-CRW region of West Virginia and is also trying to capture the downslope and sinking amid the wake zone of the Cumberland Mountains with respect to easterly air flow trajectories.

The model is just not able to fully resolve that immediately amid and adjacent to the High Knob Massif where a TIM Circulation forms to greatly enhance precipitation amounts ( i.e., snow amid the high country and mix in the wake zone with subsidence ).

The latest high-resolution NAM 4 KM Model has duplicated the European Model solution with 14″ also being predicted for the Wise gridpoint through 60-hours ( some more falls beyond this time on N-NW upslope flow ).

This type of flow field would generate a TIM Circulation across the High Knob Massif with a very large snowfall gradient setting up along and downstream of the massif amid its wake zone with respect to ENE-ESE air flow.

A featured I’ve documented numerous times since the infamous January 1998 episode that unofficially set a new 24-hour snowfall record for the Old Dominion when 36″ to 40″+ of snow accumulated amid upper elevations of the High Knob Massif in only 21-hours.

The January 1998 and December 2009 events, which crippled the mountain area with power outages & snow depth, were Miller A cyclones ( inland variants ).

This event is not a classic Miller A, and does have a Miller B tendency which tends to reduce snowfall along the western slopes of the southern Appalachians ( and at times across all of the southern Appalachians ).

So the key to this forecast setting will be how much it favors Miller B verses Miller A ( to make it simple ) from a climatological perspective.

The European Model’s consistent solution of not bringing a surface low north of the southern Tennessee – SW North Carolina area will keep colder air across southwestern Virginia and generate more total snowfall verses a surface low that moves farther northeast up the Tennessee Valley before transfer of energy to the Coast.

*The huge snowfall gradient that I have on my forecast snow graphic at the beginning of this page would hold in the ECMWF solution.  If the solution goes more toward classic Miller B; however, amounts would be reduced significantly at all sites.

Another critical difference between the European and American models, as well, is the 700 MB dry slot that works into the area during the formation of a large comma-head and deformation zone.  The dry slot is a little longer lived and more pronounced on the American models than it is on the European over this area ( where it is a brief intrusion that rapidly gets advected off toward the east ).

Even with the dry slot ending precipitation for a time late Friday, the NAM Model still predicts more than a foot of snow across the Cumberland Mountains ( missing fine details of the terrain ).

There are multiple mechanisms at work in this event:

1 ). Isentropic Lifting
( Warm Conveyor Belt )

2 ). Orographic Forcing
( Mesoscale Features )

3 ). Dry Slot Formation
( Signal of Intensifying Cyclone )

3 ). Deformation Zone
( Enhanced Lifting )

4 ). Comma-Head N-NW Flow
( Cold Conveyor Belt )

These and other features look to phase best from the central Virginia-West Virginia border area northeast into northern Virginia and portions of adjoining states.  However, the local potential remains very significant as I have well documented within past climatology.

Needless to say, this storm has huge potential and my next forecast will be critical as by then it should be known if the European solution is going to verify.

Since today is the last day we have to prepare, please do anything necessary to keep you and your family safe during a potentially major event that could include power outages and deep snow depths.

Prepare For The Worst & Hope For The Best!

My Forecast For Today ( January 20 )

ALERT For The Development Of Accumulating Snow And Hazardous Travel & Walking Conditions

*Due to prolonged bitter temperatures hazardous driving and walking conditions will quickly develop across the region today.  Extreme Caution Is Advised.

It would be best for county schools to close today before getting any buses on roadways ( recommended, with each county having to make their own decision ).

Specific Snowfall Forecast

2″ to 4″ Russell Fork Basin
( Pound – Clintwood – Haysi )

3″ to 6″ Upper Tennessee Basin
( Norton – Wise – Big Stone Gap )

4″ to 8″ Above 3000 Feet
( High Knob Massif )

Target Snowfall of 4″ In Norton-Wise ( +/- ) 1″ Error Potential.   This implies a chance for 3″ to 5″ of snow accumulation.

A general depth of 4″ or more is expected to develop above 3000 feet elevation in the High Knob Massif, with a target snowfall of 6″ at 3500 feet ( +/- ) 2″ Error Potential.  This implies the chance for  4-8″ of snow depth above 3000 feet in the High Knob Massif. 

Potential Of A Major Winter Storm Is Increasing For The January 22-24 Period.  This Could Be A Crippling Winter Storm Event And Will Need To Be Closely Followed During The Next 24-48 Hours.

Overnight Into This Morning

Increasing clouds.  Light snow developing.  Light & variable winds becoming S to SSW at less than 10 mph on mountain ridges & plateaus below 2700 feet.  Winds becoming SSW to WSW at 10-20 mph, with higher gusts, along mountain ridges above 2700 feet.  Wind chills in the single digits, except locally below zero on highest mountain ridges.

Temperatures in the single digits ( mountain valleys ) to mid 10s ( mountain ridges and plateaus ) will tend to rise into the predawn-morning.

Mid-Morning Through This Afternoon

Snow.  Becoming moderate to heavy into the afternoon.  SSW-W winds of 5-15 mph below 2700 feet.  Winds SW-WNW at 10-20 mph, with higher gusts, above 2700 feet.  Temperatures mostly in the 20s ( lower 30s possible IF mixing can develop into lower elevations ).

Tonight Into Thursday Morning

Snow to snow showers & flurries before ending.  Low clouds. W winds at 5 to 15 mph shifting N to NNE into morning and decreasing to 10 mph or less ( possible cloud base drop into middle elevations ).  Temperatures varying from the 10s at highest elevations to the 20s.

*Lingering low-level moisture could allow cloud bases to drop into the middle elevations, with a freezing fog potential, for a period of time during the predawn-morning hours of Thursday on upsloping northerly air flow ( generally from the elevation of Wise upward )  for locations along & north of the High Knob Massif and Tennessee Valley Divide ( e.g., Black-Hazel-Big A mountains ).

Weather Discussion ( January 19-20 )

Another bitter day was observed during January 19 with afternoon MAX temperatures varying from 10 degrees at the summit level of the High Knob Massif to 18 degrees within the deep mountain hollow at Clintwood 1 W.

Before clearing skies into afternoon a low cloud deck generated light snow within the upslope corridor from the High Knob Massif north across Norton-Wise to Pound-Clintwood ( on NW winds ).

**Date-Time-Wind-Vis   SKY            Cloud   Temp-DP                Humidity WCF              B.P.

Light snow accumulations of from 0.1″ to 0.3″ were common during the 6-hour or so period with falling flakes as a little upslope combined with a bit of moisture from Lake Michigan.

Temperatures fell off into single digits amid mountain valleys during evening hours of January 19, beneath clear skies, to contrast with near steady or slowly rising temps across exposed mid-upper elevation mountain ridges.

Focus now shifts to a disturbance ( lead wave ahead of the MAIN EVENT ) across the Mississippi Valley that will be moving into this mass of Arctic air.

This wave will be dampening over time, thus its influence will be least along the eastern side of the Appalachians and greatest along the western side of the mountain chain.

Precipitation today will be driven by warm air advection and isentropic lifting, with a period of SW air flow up the High Knob Landform corridor expected to enhance snow amounts above the generalized 1-3″ that is expected across the region ( higher end totals likely being realized in this case amid the region in general since past climatology well dictates that it takes a while for snow densities to rise up toward 10:1; therefore, model QPF will be able to generate more snow than strict 10:1 ratios ).

**So two aspects may need to be tweaked today.  Snowfall amounts, which I have already done in an upward manner, as well as temperatures with a very cold start to the day being covered by clouds in combination with onset of strong evaporative cooling.

The battle between warm air advection and evaporative cooling ultimately acting to dictate temperatures today.  If evaporation generates an inversion then gusty winds aloft will tend to flow over the top and temperatures at lower-middle elevations will tend to be colder than if vertical mixing occurs ( which then can work to warm lower-levels, especially those under downslope ).

The NAM Model is very close to the European on total precipitation amounts ( both models generating snowfall totals using a 10:1 ratio ); therefore, it is likely that if these models are correct that snow amounts will be somewhat higher than they suggest given past climatology of WAA and moisture transport into true arctic air masses.

WAA = Warm Air Advection

If the models are over-estimating precipitation amounts, then snow totals could end up being close to what they show or even lower than they are predicting.  One reason that I always have a ERROR Potential factored into my snowfall forecast’s.

No forecast model is absolutely correct ( one has to adjust as past climatology dictates, then choose the least “wrong” solution )!

The system today, regardless of final snow amounts, is going to cause widespread hazardous travel across the Mountain Empire and will catch many off-guard if not expecting this.  WHY would you not, given days of bitter temperatures have everything frozen.

Major Winter Storm Upcoming

Although the event today will no doubt cause its share of travel troubles, especially in the Tri-Cities area of NE TN, and the Great Valley in general, where significant falls of snow are MUCH less common than here in the mountains, it will be nothing compared to what may be ahead if model trends during recent days are correct.

Just look at what upper diffluence is being generated by early Friday in advance of a developing upper low that will be “closing off” above the southern Appalachians.  The NAM Model trend is following the European which has been the lead model in showing a progressively more southern track.

When I say upper diffluence, I am referring to the way the black isobars at 500 MB ( about 17,000 feet up ) spread outward & separate above our area, like pulling your hands apart in a bath-tub or pool.  Air from below this level is sucked upward ( like in a vacuum cleaner or chimney ) through the atmosphere to generate strong condensation, cooling, and precipitation.  Always a sign of heavy precipitation when copious moisture is present.

If nothing changed from runs tonight I would be forecasting that a TIM Circulation will develop across the High Knob Massif amid the period of easterly flow.  That would CRANK the high country snow and generate a huge local difference with mix likely in the Powell Valley to Big Stone Gap to Lee County corridor with MUCH less snow during that period of the event ( then NE-NW flow would develop to crank upslope on northerly air flow trajectories ).

Reference TIM Circulation for more information on a mesoscale feature indigenous to the great High Knob Massif.  Responsible for simply amazing snowfall rates and deep falls that typically would not be expected on the western side of the Appalachians during events which tend to favor eastern slope locations with CAD.

CAD = Cold Air Damming in reference to eastern slopes

A big worry, of course, would be development of an isothermal layer such as observed during the great storms in January 1998 and December 2009 which crippled the mountain area with power outages and snow depths.  Needless to say, this is one to begin to take seriously now.  Stay tuned for updates.

Have a safe Wednesday.

My Forecast For Today ( January 19 )

ALERT For Continuation of Dangerously Cold Conditions Through This Morning

High country lakes will freeze over during this event, as will many ponds & slow running creeks.  Caution Is Advised as ice may not become thick enough to walk across safely.

Ice Thickness Guidelines From MN DNR

Accumulating Snow Is Likely For Wednesday With Hazardous Travel Conditions Expected.  Prepare Now.

Potential Of A Major Winter Storm Is Increasing For The January 22-23 Period.  Stay Tuned For Details.

Overnight Into Mid-Morning

Increasing clouds overnight into morning ( especially in upslope locations ) with a chance of flurries and light snow showers.  A dusting or light accumulation in places.  Bitter cold.  WNW-NW winds 5-15 mph, with higher gusts along mid-upper elevation mountain ridges.  Temps in the single digits above and below zero ( coldest at highest elevations ).  Wind chills 0 to -15 below zero along middle elevation ridges and plateaus below 2700 feet, with chill factors of -10 to -25 below zero on ridges above 2700 feet.

Mid-Morning Through This Afternoon

Any flurries ending. Becoming partly to mostly sunny.  WNW-N winds decreasing to generally less than 10 mph.  Temperatures varying from around 10 degrees at highest elevations to upper 10s-lower 20s ( milder in snow-free valleys of the Clinch, Powell, and Holston river basins toward the Tri-Cities ).  Wind chills single digits and 10s.

*Tonight Into Wednesday Morning

Increasing clouds overnight into morning.  Light & variable winds becoming S-SSW by morning at less than 10 mph on mountain ridges & plateaus below 2700 ft.  Winds becoming SSW-WSW at 5-15 mph, with higher gusts, along mountain ridges above 2700 feet.  Temperatures varying from upper single digits to lower 10s in mountain valleys with calm winds into early overnight, rising toward dawn.  Temps generally rising into 10s & 20s across exposed middle to upper elevation mountain ridges and plateaus.

*Accumulating snow is likely to develop during the day.

Weather Discussion ( January 18-19 )

Bitterly cold conditions dominated January 18 from start to finish, with MAX temperatures varying by elevation & snow cover from 17 degrees at the 1560 feet elevation of the NWS Cooperative Station in Clintwood to only 6 degrees at the summit level of the rime coated High Knob Massif.

Temperatures rising a little higher within snow-free valleys amid the Clinch, Powell, and Holston river basins where many places were able to reach into the 20s.

Wind chills were a significant factor across middle to upper elevation mountain ridges and plateaus, with 0 to -25 below values throughout the day ( coldest at highest elevations ).

Temperatures tonight have again dropped below zero along crest lines of the High Knob Massif and Black Mountain, and in a few of the high valleys amid the snow covered massif.  Widespread single digit to near zero degree temps ( e.g., Norton valley ) are common in lower-middle elevations of the area at 2:00 to 3:00 AM Tuesday.

The temperature drop is being checked a bit by low clouds which have formed on WNW upslope flow tonight into the windward slopes of the High Knob Massif and Tennessee Valley Divide.  Some snowflakes are being observed on Eagle Knob of the High Knob Massif.

 *Cloud bases have actually formed below the summit level of the massif where some more riming may occur amid this bitter air.

These developments were expected with a little bit of Great Lake moisture flowing into windward slopes through mid-morning today.  This is now generating some light snow and flurries ( and narrow snowstreaks ) along the upslope side of the mountains ( with respect to WNW-NW flow ) from Clintwood & Pound into the High Knob Massif.  A dusting or light accumulation will be possible in places through about mid-morning or so when low clouds will begin to dissipate.

Higher altitude clouds will begin to increase later today into tonight in advance of the next snow maker.

I will post a snowfall projection for this event in my next forecast.  Preliminary indications suggest that several inches of snow may accumulate within the SW Upslope Flow corridor of the High Knob Landform ( a warm air advection type as documented many times in the past ).

Try To Keep Warm On This Tuesday.

My Forecast For Today ( January 18 )

ALERT For Dangerously Cold Conditions Monday & Tuesday With Bitter Temperatures and Wind Chills Amid The Coldest Air Mass Since Last February

Once Air Temperatures Drop Below 20 degrees In Norton-Wise tonight, they may not rise above 20 degrees ( for any length of time ) until Wednesday.  They will certainly not rise above 20 degrees for those living on northern slopes.  Snow cover of 1-3″, or more in spots, will make conditions colder within locations having snow on the ground.

***Remember to dress warmly and to plan not to be outdoors longer than necessary.  Check on our elderly residents, take measures to protect pets ( e.g., horses, dogs, cats etc…need shelter from the cold & wind as well as ice free water ).  

Temperatures at the High Knob Lookout will drop below zero tonight, rise only into single digits Monday and go below zero again into Tuesday Morning.  Wind Chills will be EXTREME.  Travel & visitation to there is not recommended.

High country lakes will freeze over during this event, as will many ponds & slow running creeks.  Caution Is Advised as ice may not become thick enough to walk across safely.

Ice Thickness Guidelines From MN DNR 

Overnight Into This Morning

Turning bitterly cold.  Scattered snow showers & flurries diminishing overnight into the predawn.  Temperatures plunging to -4 to 8 above zero into the overnight-morning hours ( somewhat “milder” in valleys leeward of the High Knob Massif and Cumberland range ).  Wind chills varying from 5 above to -10 below zero across mid elevation ridges & plateaus, with -10 to -25 degree below zero wind chills in upper elevations above 3000 feet.

*Note that the air will become so bitter than any passing cloud can still generate flurries today; although, I will call for mostly sunny skies after any morning clouds evaporate amid drying air.

This Afternoon

Mostly sunny & bitter.  WNW winds 5-15 mph, with higher gusts ( especially at higher elevations ).  Temperatures in the single digits and teens ( topping 20 degrees officially only in “milder” snow-free valleys amid river basins of the Clinch, Powell, and Holston ).  Bitter wind chill factors of from 0 to 12 degrees at elevations below 2700 feet, and from 0 to -15 below zero across upper elevations.

Tonight Into Tuesday Morning

Mostly clear in the evening with some increasing clouds overnight into morning ( especially in upslope locales ).  Bitter cold.  WNW-NW winds 5-15 mph, with higher gusts along mid-upper elevation mountain ridges.  Temperatures in the single digits above and below zero ( coldest at the highest elevations ).  Wind chills 0 to -15 below zero along middle elevation ridges and plateaus below 2700 feet, with chill factors of -10 to -25 below zero on ridges above 2700 ft.

Two important systems are being watched for wintry potential this coming week.  The weaker first system is currently timed to arrive Wednesday ( January 20 ).

A second, potentially Major Winter Storm system, is currently timed to impact the region during the period from Thursday into Saturday ( January 21-23 ).

A third system, in a series, of potential concern may develop during the January 25-27 period.

Stay tuned for updates.

Weather Discussion ( January 17-18 )

Afternoon Update – A BITTER ONE

Although sunshine finally returned to rule the afternoon it has been a bitter one.  Let’s check out a few RAW statistics!

PM MAXS as of 3:30 PM included:

Clintwood 1 W: 17 degrees
Elevation 1560 feet

City of Norton WP: 14 degrees
Elevation 2342 feet

Nora 4 SSE on Long Ridge: 12 degrees
Elevation 2650 feet

Black Mountain MesoNET: 7 degrees
Elevation 4031 feet

Joe Carter of the City of Norton Water Plant reported the daytime MAX of 14 degrees at 3:30 PM.  At the same time, some 1800+ vertical feet above the city the temperature was 5 degrees on High Knob ( wind chill of -12 below ).

All of a sudden, or so it seems, a very active Janaury weather pattern has developed.  Two different systems impacted the mountain region just during January 17.

The morning initialization by the ECMWF Model was rather impressive looking, with a well developed cyclone that was responsible for killer tornadoes in Florida.

This storm system being just outside of the snowstorm “strike zone” ( as in baseball ) for the southern Appalachians.  Almost in need of instant replay, but not quite ( it was close and a wanna-be snowstorm for certain ).

The first was a far southward tracking southern system that only brushed the southern Appalachians.  A general 0.5″, or a bit more, of snow accumulation was measured from the City of Norton Water Plant into Wise, Pound, and Clintwood during a period of morning snowfall supported by weak northerly upslope flow and some divergence aloft.

Snowfall came in on the low end of my forecast range for the Great Valley of eastern Tennessee and the Blue Ridge province across western North Carolina into southern Virginia, with generally a dusting to 1″ being reported.

The High Knob Massif was majestically rime coated but only partially visible at times, especially late in the afternoon, as cloud bases lifted in advance of a approaching Arctic Front.

This front was the real deal, as I expected, with whiteout conditions developing from Pound & Clintwood into Wise and the City of Norton to Appalachia during the 9:30 PM to 10:00 PM period.  This was a wind driven and vigorous line of snow squalls featuring graupel snow at times, as well as large dendrites.  Widespread snow accumulations of 1″ or more occurred ( a low density, fluffy snow in general ) to bring the official NWS snowfall total to 2.2″ in Clintwood for this day ( at an elevation of 1560 feet ).

Widespread and hazardous road conditions developed along the entire U.S. 23 corridor from Pound Gap to Little Stone Mountain Gap, as well as along adjoining roads such as Route 83.

Some drifting occurred in the High Knob Massif where sub-zero wind chill factors accompanied the heavy snow to create truly wicked conditions.

Reference my 011716 Forecast page for more details.

Focus now shifts to a huge mass of true, arctic air that will engulf the mountain region in bitter air through today and Tuesday.  The coldest air mass since February 2015.

Although the entire region will be bitter, I expect snow covered locations to be colder during the Monday-Tuesday period as snow helps to chill this low-level air even more with northern slope sites being especially bitter.

 Several systems are lined up to impact the mountain region during the next 7 days, so stay tuned for updates on this active mid-late January pattern.

Stay safe on this MLK Monday.

My Forecast For Today ( January 17 )

*NOTE: Intense Snow Squalls With Whiteout Conditions For A Period Of Time Are Beginning To Push Across The Virginia-Kentucky Border And Will Impact The U.S. 23 Corridor From Pound Gap Into Norton-Wise-Clintwood Between Now And 10:30 PM

ALERT For Redevelopment Of Snow Showers Tonight With A Snow Burst Potential Along An Arctic Front Sunday Evening ( Around 9:00 PM For Norton-Wise Give Or Take An Hour ) – Followed by Plunging Temps And Wind Chills To Bitterly Cold Levels Into Monday

ALERT For Dangerously Cold Conditions Monday & Tuesday With Bitter Temperatures and Wind Chills Amid The Coldest Air Mass Since Last February

Once Air Temperatures Drop Below 20 degrees In Norton-Wise tonight, they may not rise above 20 degrees ( for any length of time ) until Wednesday.  They will certainly not rise above 20 degrees for those living on northern slopes.  Snow cover of 0.5-1″ or more will make conditions colder within locations having snow on the ground.

***Remember to dress warmly and to plan not to be outdoors longer than necessary.  Check on our elderly residents, take measures to protect pets ( e.g., horses, dogs, cats etc…need shelter from the cold & wind as well as ice free water ).  

Temperatures at the High Knob Lookout will drop below zero tonight, rise only into single digits Monday and go below zero again into Tuesday Morning.  Wind Chills will be EXTREME.  Travel & visitation to there is not recommended.

High country lakes will freeze over during this event, as will many ponds & slow running creeks.  Caution Is Advised as ice may not become thick enough to walk across safely.

Ice Thickness Guidelines From MN DNR 

Overnight Into Mid-Morning

A chance of snow developing during the predawn to sunrise period.  An interval of moderate snow possible.  Light NNE-NW winds at generally less than 10 mph.  Temps varying from upper 10s ( at highest elevations ) to the upper 20s.  Wind chills in the 10s & 20s, with some single digits at highest elevations.

Mid-Morning Through This Afternoon

Any snow tapering to flurries and ending.  Skies may briefly become partly-mostly cloudy ahead of an arctic  front by late.  Winds W to WNW at 5-15 mph, with higher gusts.  Temps varying from 20s to middle 30s ( warmest lee of mountains toward the Tri-Cities ).  Wind chills in the 10s and 20s ( coldest at highest elevations with single digits ).

Early Evening Into Monday Morning

Flurries and snow showers developing.  An evening burst of heavy snow ( whiteout conditions ) possible.  Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph, with gusts to 30+ mph.  Turning bitterly cold with temperatures plunging to -2 to 12 above zero into the overnight-morning hours.  Wind chills from 5 above to -10 below zero across middle elevation ridges & plateaus, with -10 to -25 degree below zero wind chills above 3000 feet.

Snowfall Forecast ( Predawn Sunday-Predawn Monday )

General 1-2″ East of Rose Hill In Southwestern Virginia

General 0.5-1.5″ In Clinch, Powell, Holston River Valleys

Target Snowfall of 1.5″ in the Norton-Wise area ( +/- 1″ ) Error Potential.  This implies a potential from 0.5″ to 2.5″ and includes Sunday AM snow and Sunday Evening-Night snow ( with melting in between ).  Extremes of from a trace along and west of a Rose Hill to Pikeville line up to 3″ in the High Knob Massif ( from both events ) are possible.  Note that snow depths may never get as deep as total snowfall with afternoon melting of any AM snow ( especially southern exposed slopes & across lower elevations ).

While forecast models predict most places to have 1″ or LESS of snow, these graphics show the potential range when considering the current weather setting, terrain features & orographics, plus past climatology of similar such events.  Regardless of amounts, this is to be a relatively minor system but one that can cause roads to become slick and hazardous.  The bigger story, ultimately, will be dangerously cold wind chills and air temperatures arriving by later tonight into Monday ( when Arctic sunshine returns ).

While not all locations will have a whiteout, these zones ( inside the RED ) have the greatest potential for a whiteout type of snow burst along the Arctic Front during Sunday Evening – especially locations along and northwest-north of the High Knob Massif.

My Weather Discussion ( January 16-17 )

Afternoon Update

A period of morning snow deposited around 0.5″ or a little more of accumulation in the Norton-Wise area, with about the same in Clintwood ( 1″ on the ground ).

Morning snow, using time lapse video, appeared to stick but quickly melted down in the Great Valley and Tri-Cities.

The High Knob Massif is looking majestic when it emerges from clouds with riming, above 3000 feet, for many miles.  After rising to lower 20s air temperatures have dropped into the upper 10s at summit levels of the High Knob Massif and Black Mountain.

The only change to my forecast in this update is to note that any brief break in clouds may be late ( or perhaps not at all ) as the Arctic Front cloud band has about caught up with clouds lingering in wake of the morning system.

Observe how the cloud break ( over central Kentucky above ) has just about filled in now ( below ) as it approaches the mountains.

Observe also the snow showers developing along the Arctic Front to the west and northwest.  Those are the ones that I expect to bring a snow burst to the area this evening.

Current timing is between 7 PM and Midnight, centered around 9:00 PM for the Norton-Wise area ( give or take an hour ).  These will bring very bad road conditions with local whiteouts and a rapid covering of snow amid strong, gusty winds and falling temps.  Since yet again they do not have a good Great Lake connection, these will be brief in nature.

My Overnight Discussion

Air turned colder during Saturday with low clouds again trapped beneath an inversion layer.  Dense fog changed to freezing fog across upper elevations of the High Knob Massif where rime formation got underway.

While a little light snow coated roads amid the High Knob Massif in some upper elevation places, snowfall was more active to the north where several snowstreaks developed along Pine Mountain and extended across the Pound to Clintwood corridor of northern Wise County and Dickenson County.

Visibility dropped to less than 1 mile with light to moderate snow around and just after sunset.  I measured 0.5″ at my elevation of 1560 feet ( so more accumulated amid these snowstreaks at elevations above 2000-3000 feet ).

Reference the afternoon update in my 011616 Forecast discussion.

The productivity of these late afternoon snowstreaks is one reason I have gone above model output somewhat for this area, with such abundant low-level moisture lingering and poised to be precipitated out with any substantial lifting.

The speed of this system goes against any greater amounts and may make it difficult to achieve predicted totals without a period of at least moderate snowfall ( note that forecasted snowfall also includes what comes along a vigorous Arctic Front this evening ).

The latest HRRR Model future Doppler forecast shows snow becoming widespread during the 5 AM to 8 AM period, but ending in the Norton-Wise area between 10-11 AM.  As with the previous rain system, there will tend to be a sharp cut off of snow along the western edge ( with LESS being the prime word for my snowfall graphic above to the west of Rose Hill in Lee County ).

Many places will likely have some melting of snow into this afternoon amid a break between this system and the bitter blast of air upstream.

 Bitter air pours into the mountain area tonight into Monday, and I will update that and the potential of a snow burst along the Arctic Front later today.

Travel Safe This Morning.

My Forecast For Today ( January 16 )

ALERT For Slick Road Conditions Across Portions Of Dickenson & Wise Counties This Evening

*A band of steady snow has been impacting the Pound to Clintwood corridor, and some other sections, with snow accumulations of 0.5″ or more as of 6:30 PM.

ALERT For Dense Fog Changing To Freezing Fog At Upper Elevations Overnight Into Saturday.  A Strong Inversion Will Continue To Trap Low Clouds Across The Area Today.  Cloud Bases Will Drop To Near or Below Elevations of The Wise & Sandy Ridge Plateaus Into This Evening ( With Freezing Fog In Locations Where This Occurs ).

The freezing level will drop to around 3500 feet by 5 AM and to 3000 feet by 7 AM, then to around 2000 feet by 10 AM amid better cold air transport into the area at low-levels on WNW-NW winds. 

Overnight Into Mid-Morning

Turning colder overnight with rain showers and drizzle changing to snow showers at mid-upper elevations.  Light snow accumulation at the highest elevations.  S-SW winds shifting W-WNW overnight at 5-15 mph, with higher gusts, below 2700 feet.  Winds becoming W-WNW at 10-20 mph, with higher gusts, above 2700 feet.  Temperatures dropping into the 20s to low-mid 30s by mid-morning ( upper 10s to around 20 degrees at the High Knob Lookout ).

Wind chills dropping into 10s & 20s, with some single digits at highest elevations after sunrise.

Mid-Morning Through This Afternoon

Cloudy & cold.  Chance of snizzle ( drizzle-like snow ) and light snow showers-flurries.  Temperatures steady or slowly falling from the 20s to lower 30s ( only small rises possible in downslope locations having any cloud breaks ).  WNW-NW winds 5-10 mph, with some higher gusts across upper elevations.  Wind chills in the 10s & 20s, with some single digits at highest elevations in gusts.

Tonight Into Sunday Morning

Low clouds. Cold.  Areas of light snow & flurries during the evening ( a dusting up to 1″ ), then widespread light snow developing by morning.  Temperatures varying from upper 10s to upper 20s ( highest elevations coldest ).  Light NNW-WNW winds at generally less than 10 mph.  Wind chills in the 10s & 20s, with some single digits at highest elevations.

*Light snow accumulations will occur across portions of Dickenson and Wise counties into this evening, with more widespread light snow developing across the entire area into Sunday.

**The coldest air mass of the 2015-16 Winter Season To Date will push into the mountains late Sunday Night into Monday with air temperatures dropping into the single digits and 10s.  A burst of snow will be possible along an Arctic Front into early Monday.  Temperatures will likely remain in the 10s from Norton-Wise upward in elevation through the day Monday.

My Weather Discussion ( January 15-16 )

Afternoon Update

Only a minor update for this afternoon to include a chance for snizzle-like flurries and a few localized and light snow showers amid and beneath the low cloud deck.

Cloud bases are low with dense fog and riming ongoing above 3300 feet in the High Knob Massif.

The only good news, winds are mostly under 20 mph in gusts.  Wind chills remain, of course, a factor for anyone out across exposed middle-upper elevation mountain ridges-plateaus.

Temperatures have been steady or slowly falling this afternoon, following a sunrise to mid-morning drop that took the freezing level down to around 2500-2700 feet by 9:00 to 10:00 AM.

As of 2:00 PM the freezing level is down to around 1800 feet for locations along and north to northwest of the High Knob Massif and Tennessee Valley Divide.

Some fine snizzle ( or drizzle-like snow ) and bigger flurries have been falling at times beneath the low, inversion trapped cloud deck in locations along and N-NW of the High Knob Massif and Tennessee Valley Divide into early afternoon.

Light snow, with bigger flakes amid narrow bands, developed during mid-late afternoon and has been sticking some across portions of Dickenson and Wise counties.  A dusting up to 1″ of snow will be possible into this evening with upslope activity.

A few roads in upper elevations of the High Knob Massif had become lightly covered by snow as of 5:00 PM.  The Pound Gap section of Pine Mountain, on U.S. 23, is another place to also use caution with a more significant band of light snow in that area which is also impacting the Pound to Clintwood corridor.

Temperatures were around 10 degrees colder on the upslope side of the mountains ( e.g., 30 degrees in Norton-Wise verses around 40 degrees in the TRI to Abingdon corridor ) as of 1:30 PM this afternoon ( a few cloud breaks to the lee side and clearing along eastern slopes of the Appalachians in North Carolina ).

It should go without saying, with moisture and temps going below freezing, along with some light snow-flurries, that everyone should be cautious of some slick patches both under-foot and under-wheel this afternoon into tonight.

My Overnight Weather Discussion

The formation of a strong low-level temperature inversion was the big story on January 15.  The inversion was created by evaporative cooling as precipitation aloft fell through dry low-level air and effectively cut off milder air aloft.

Rain developed in the Norton-Wise area by around Noon, as expected and forecast, with temperatures in the low 40s at Lonesome Pine Airport dropping into upper 30s.

The same trend was recorded at the official NWS weather station site of Nora 4 SSE, by Wayne & Genevie Riner, with temperatures holding in the upper 30s into evening.

Temperatures along high crest lines of the High Knob Massif and Black Mountain fell from upper 30s down to near and just above freezing with evaporative cooling.

Bright-banding was prevalent on Doppler as snowflakes and sleet mixed with rain as precipitation moved across the massif area.

The only problems reported developed in valleys where a combination of frozen ground, from recent bitter nights, and air temperatures that wet-bulbed ( due to evaporative cooling ) to near freezing created icy patches on ground surfaces in some places amid northern slopes and valleys from Dickenson County into Wise-Scott-Lee counties.

An inversion develops when warm air rests over colder air, and in this case cold air was already present in mountain valleys ( as had been forecast ) by a rather significant nocturnal temperature inversion which formed through evening hours of January 14 into overnight hours of January 15 ( e.g., calm valley conditions that contrasted with gusty ridges ).

In this case the pressure gradient was not strong enough to disrupt the nocturnal inversion before precipitation developed, which initiated cooling via evaporation in relatively dry low-level air to simply reinforce and expand the inversion already present.

Many valleys did not rise out of mid-upper 30s, in wake of the passing rain shield, by contrast with upper 30s to lower 40s on middle-upper elevation mountain ridges & plateaus.

Another important factor, of course, was that the ECMWF ( European ) Model ended up beating all other major models, including both the high-resolution NAM group the GFS Model & GEM, with the main rain shield extending west to along the Virginia-Kentucky border ( e.g., around 0.70″ of rain fell at Big Cherry Lake Dam in the High Knob Massif during the day ).

The inversion is forecast to hold strong today, with warmer air above the level of the High Knob Massif verses colder air from the high crestlines downward in the atmosphere. With a WNW-NW upslope flow this will lock clouds into upslope locations along the Cumberland Mountains and, if sinking in mountain waves is not strong enough then it will likely hold clouds in also to the lee amid river valleys of the Clinch, Powell, and Holston.

*WNW-NW flow today will be weaker than during previous days as the area is in between weather systems.  This will make mountain waves less likely to mix out the inversion ( if the model forecast of it’s strength is accurate ) amid downslope flow locations.

Focus now shifts to a wave developing over the northern Gulf of Mexico late today into Sunday.  This is the type of setting which snow lovers dream about; however, in this case it does not look to be a big snow maker.  There is still time, of course, for lovers of the white to hope!

The latest European Model is a little farther north with the wave than the NAM, and would generate some light snow across the southern Appalachians into Sunday morning.

This is a Miller A “wanna-be” that likely will not track far enough north nor deepen ( intensify ) or phase fast enough for any major snowfall impacts.  It does, as always, bear close watching on new runs through today.  Stay tuned.

*A system moving through the southern stream that does have potential to become the first winter storm of this season will also bear close watching for the middle to latter parts of next week, centered upon the January 20-23 period.

Have a great Saturday.

My Forecast For Today ( January 15 )

Wind Chill Factors Will Continue To Be Felt Overnight Into This Morning Across Mid-Upper Elevation Mountain Ridges and Plateaus With Strong & Gusty SSW-SW Winds.

*Wind chills will become more intense once again into Saturday, and especially during Sunday-Monday with arrival of the coldest air mass of this 2015-16 season to date.

Overnight Into This Morning

Increasing high clouds overnight.  Continued gusty across mid-upper elevation mountain ridges and plateaus.  S to SW winds 5 to 15 mph, with higher gusts along middle elevation mountain ridges & plateaus below 2700 feet. SSW-SW winds 15 to 25 mph, with higher gusts, on upper elevation ridges above 2700 feet.  Substantial vertical temperature spread developing from MINS of 17 to 23 degrees in valleys with calm winds to upper 30s-lower 40s on exposed middle to upper elevation plateaus and ridges.  Wind chill factors mostly in the 20s and 30s ( coldest at highest elevations ).

This Afternoon

Cloudy.  A period of rain developing, especially along and eastward of the VA-KY stateline.  Winds SSE-S at 5-15 mph, with higher gusts, below 2700 feet.  S-SW winds 10-20 mph, with higher gusts, along mountain ridges above 2700 feet.  Temperatures mostly in the 40s.  Wind chills in lower 30s to lower 40s ( chilliest across upper elevations ).

Tonight Into Saturday Morning

Rain showers redeveloping.  Turning colder overnight with a chance of rain showers changing to snow showers at mid-upper elevations.  Little snow accumulation at the highest elevations.  S-SW winds shifting W-WNW overnight at 5-15 mph, with higher gusts, below 2700 feet.  Winds becoming W-WNW at 10-20 mph, with higher gusts, above 2700 feet.  Temperatures dropping into 20s to lower 30s by morning, except upper 10s to around 20 degrees at the High Knob Lookout.  Wind chills dropping into 10s & 20s, with some single digits at highest elevations by morning.

My Weather Discussion ( January 14-15 )

A notable vertical temperature spread greeted January 14 with lower to middle 10s in mountain valleys verses middle 20s to middle 30s on exposed mountain ridges and plateaus.

Feels-like conditions; however, were similar due to strong and gusty SW winds across mountain ridges-plateaus that made it feel colder than air temperatures.

Wind chills continued to be a factor in how it felt during Thursday, especially at middle to upper elevations above 2000 feet.

Max temperatures varied from around 40 degrees on High Knob and 46 degrees at Nora 4 SSE to 52 degrees at Clintwood 1 W.

Gusty SW-S winds kept most of the day feeling like 30s in Norton and Wise, with 20s to lower 30s across upper elevations ( above 3000 feet in elevation ).

A nice sunset featured mid to high altitude clouds to the south that were beginning to stream northeast in advance of the next weather system to impact the area on Friday.

Conditions tonight remain windy across middle to upper elevations, with air temperatures in the mid 30s to lower 40s feeling like 20s and 30s along mountain ridges.

Focus now shifts to a rather complex setting between a digging northern jet stream ( that will develop the next arctic blast into Sunday-Monday ) and a sub-tropical jet enhanced by this year’s +ENSO.

The high-resolution NAM Model ( above ), as well as the GFS and Canadian models, keep nearly all the precipitation through this evening east of the High Knob Massif and Tennessee Valley Divide while the European Model continues to have more significant rain a little farther west to along the Virginia-Kentucky border.

It is clear on all models that the western edge of the main rain shield will have a sharp cut-off, therefore if it wobbles by only 30 to 50 air miles it will make a difference heading into this afternoon-early evening ( i.e., more significant rain from the VA-KY border eastward if it wobbles west verses little rain if it stays to the east ).

This sharp western edge can already be seen on the moisture blob moving northeast out of the Gulf of Mexico ( above ).

The HRRR Model’s Future Doppler forecast has rain spreading across southwestern Virginia this afternoon from the south and southwest.

Note the broken band of showers to the west associated with the northern stream’s cold front.  The northern & southern stream not phasing, or coming together, to generate a big storm that could be if these two separate featured had merged their energies.

There remains some questions as to how much moisture will be present as colder air arrives into Saturday, then how the northern stream will interact with another system forecast to develop over the northern Gulf of Mexico late Saturday into Sunday.  Stay tuned for updates.

The Bottom Line……

Breezy to gusty winds continue across the higher terrain tonight with a large vertical temperature spread between colder valleys ( temps dropping into upper 10s to low 20s in colder locations ) and milder ridges and plateaus ( 30s to lower 40s ).

*The off-setting factor being wind chills in the 20s and 30s along exposed mid-upper elevation mountain ridges to make it chilly.

A shield of rain spreading northeast from the Deep South will arrive by this afternoon, with heaviest rainfall along and east, or well east, of the VA-KY stateline ( an unknown that will be watched with  forecast model MEANS keeping heavier rains east ).

Regardless of afternoon rainfall, new showers will tend to develop tonight in advance of a cold front approaching from the west.  Air will begin to turn colder overnight into Saturday morning behind this front, with any lingering precipitation changing to snow.  Uncertainty remains regarding how much moisture will be left when this occurs, and with a second system developing over the northern Gulf by late Saturday into Sunday.  Stay tuned for updates.

*Running at a record low snowfall pace for the season to date, odds will continue to favor little snowfall until this setting changes and a more significant system develops.  With northern and southern streams running close, only a little change in either could quickly change the scenario to favor more snowfall.

So far the southern Appalachians, in particular, have been dominated by more westerly winds behind arctic surges with no significant connections to the Great Lakes ( there has not yet been any NW Upslope Flow snowfall with good Great Lake connection ) amid a progressive pattern with up-down temperatures.

Air has instead tended to come into this area from mid-continent, a dry source region, as can be well verified by backwards airflow trajectories.  Meanwhile, the southern stream has either been suppressed too far to the south during January or ejected waves which have passed well west of the Appalachians to keep the mountains amid warm sectors ( to be followed, as just noted, by wrap-around flow dominated by westerly air flow components ).

 Have a great TGIF.

My Forecast For Today ( January 14 )

Low Wind Chill Factors Will Continue To Be Felt Overnight Into Thursday & Friday Across Middle-Upper Elevation Mountain Ridges and Plateaus ( SSW-WSW winds ).

Overnight Into This Morning

Mostly clear.  Windy across middle to upper elevation ridges & plateaus.  SSW-WSW winds at 10 to 25 mph, with higher gusts.  Temperatures varying from 10s in colder mountain valleys with calm winds to readings steady or slowly rising through the 20s on exposed middle-upper elevation ridges & plateaus ( low-mid 30s on mid-elevation thermal belt sites ).  Wind chill factors in the 10s to lower 20s, except single digits along upper elevation mountain ridges.

This Afternoon

Partly to mostly sunny.  Gusty SSW-SW winds 10-20 mph, with higher gusts ( gusts to 30+ mph possible above 3000 to 3500 feet ).  Temperatures in the 30s to lower-mid 40s in SW upslope flow locations ( e.g., Norton-Wise ) verses upper 40s to lower 50s in downslope flow communities ( e.g., Pound to Grundy corridor ).  Wind chill factors in the 20s and 30s, coldest at elevations above 2700-3000 feet.

Tonight Into Friday Morning

Mostly clear with increasing high clouds overnight.  Continued gusty across mid-upper elevation mountain ridges and plateaus.  SSW to SW winds 5-15 mph, with higher gusts.  Substantial vertical temperature spread developing from MINS in upper 10s to low 20s in valleys with calm winds to 30s on exposed middle elevation plateaus and ridges.

My Weather Discussion ( January 13-14 )

A frigid beginning to January 13 featured MIN temperatures in the single digits to lower 10s within most locations amid Wise, northern Scott, Lee and Dickenson counties and the City of Norton ( single digits ).  Cold conditions considering the limited snow cover across the area.

The day featured mostly sunny skies with high clouds filtering sunshine a little during the afternoon.  Temps struggled to reach around 30 degrees in the Norton-Wise and Long Ridge-Sandy Ridge communities, with low-mid 20s all day at upper elevations in the High Knob Massif.

*Downslope locations in the Russell Fork & Levisa Fork basins managed to break freezing with a MAX of 34 degrees being observed officially at Clintwood 1 W.

SW winds began increasing during the evening and have since become a significant factor across middle to upper elevations in Wise, northern Scott, northern Lee and Dickenson counties.  Wind chills from 10s to lower 20s across middle elevations, and single digits at highest elevations, have been felt into this overnight period.

Temperatures above 3000 feet have been colder, with readings rising slowly into mid 20s atop the High Knob Massif by midnight  ( but conditions have felt like single digits due to wind chills ).

The coldest air of the winter to date continues to be on track to arrive by Sunday into Monday ( January 17-18 ).

Make it a great Thursday.

My Forecast For Today ( January 13 )

Overnight Into This Morning

Bitter cold with partly to mostly clear skies.  W to WNW winds decreasing to around 10 mph or less along lower to middle elevation ridges & plateaus below 3000 feet.  W to WNW winds 10-15 mph, with gusts to 20+, across upper elevation mountain ridges.  Temperatures dropping into single digits to lower 10s.  Wind chill factors of from 0 to 10 above along middle elevation ridges and plateaus to 0 to -10 below on upper elevation ridges.

This Afternoon

Partly to mostly sunny.  Cold.  W winds becoming SSW-SW at 5-10 mph below 2700 feet.  W winds shifting WSW-SW at 5-15 mph, with higher gusts, above 2700 feet.  Temperatures widespread in the 20s to lower 30s.  Wind chills in the 10s and 20s ( coldest at highest elevations ).

Tonight Into Thursday Morning

Partly to mostly clear.  Becoming windy across middle to upper elevation ridges & plateaus.  SSW-WSW winds at 5-15 mph, with higher gusts, below 2700 feet.  WSW-W winds of 15-25 mph, with 30-40 mph gusts, along mountain ridges above 2700 feet.  Temperatures varying from 10s in colder mountain valleys with calm winds to readings steady or rising through the 20s to around 30 degrees on exposed middle-upper elevation ridges & plateaus.  Wind chill factors in the 10s & 20s ( a few single digits in gusts at highest elevations ).

My Forecast Discussion ( January 12-13 )

Windy conditions greeted January 12 in advance of a fast moving cold front and band of snow.

*Based upon all other available stations, as I have noted many times in the past, Lonesome Pine Airport temperatures tend to run 1 to 2 degrees F too warm ( at least relative to all other area sites around this elevation ).

This is illustrated well by Nora 4 SSE, at essentially the same elevation, located ENE of LNP in extreme southern Dickenson.

A burst of snow, as expected, overspread the mountain area from northwest to southeast during early afternoon with a moderate to heavy, wind driven snowfall and a quick .5″ to 1.5″ of accumulation amid the area of projected highest impact ( reference My 011216 Forecast for details ).

*Especially across Dickenson County and much of Wise County.

Visibility quickly dropped after snow began as the lower atmosphere became saturated, with large flakes observed.

Looking ahead, a moderation of temperatures by day back to near seasonal January levels during Thursday-Friday will never feel like it across our middle-upper elevations where persistently gusty S-SW winds will continue to generate substantial chill factors.***

***An important and always highligted factor ( is wind chills ) in my forecast’s since they are critical to me and anyone out amid our mid-upper elevation mountain terrain ( as our many residents and outdoor enthusiasts of these places know so very well ).

This continues to be a progressive pattern, such that late week warming will quickly give way to yet another surge of bitter cold air by this weekend into early next week.

More snow, to some extent, is likely and that is what will be tracked in upcoming days as this typically snowy mountain area ( of the High Knob Massif ) is currently running at a record low snowfall pace for the 2015-16 season.

Make it a great Wednesday.

My Forecast For Today ( January 12 )

*ALERT For Accumulating Snow Today With Potential For Near Zero-Visibility And Rapid Development Of Hazardous Driving-Walking Conditions Amid A Fast Hitting Cold Front ( Between Noon to 4:00 PM ).

*Locations Along and northwest to north of the High Knob Massif – Tennessee Valley Divide and Clinch Mountain Will Be Favored For The Worst Conditions & Highest Impacts

Overnight Into Sunrise

Increasing clouds.  Windy across mid-upper elevation mountain ridges and plateaus.  SSW-SW winds 10-20 mph, with higher gusts below 2700 feet, verses near calm winds in sheltered mountain valleys.  SW-WSW winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts to 40+ mph, along mountain ridges above 2700 feet.  MIN temps from 10s in colder mountains valleys, and at highest elevations early, to the 20s.  Wind chills from 10s to lower 20s on lower-middle elevation plateaus-ridges to as cold as 0 to -5 degrees below at the High Knob Lookout.

Sunrise Through Mid-Morning

Mostly cloudy & windy.  Chance of flurries.  Becoming gusty in mountain valleys ( where overnight winds were calm ).  SW-WSW winds 10-20 mph, with gusts to 30+ mph at high elevations.  Temperatures rising into the 20s to lower 30s.  Wind chills in the 10s and 20s, except some single digits at highest elevations in the High Knob Massif.

Mid-Morning Through This Afternoon

Flurries, snow showers and local snow squalls developing.  A burst of intense snow becoming possible from northwest to southeast during the Noon to 4 PM period ( i.e., near zero visibility and rapid development of hazardous conditions ).  SW-WSW winds shifting WNW at 10-20 mph, with gusts to 30+ mph.  Temperatures dropping into the 20s, with upper 10s at highest elevations.  Wind chill factors in the 10s at lower to middle elevations ( 0 to 10 at upper elevations ).

*Localized lightning-thunder is possible amid the cold frontal snow band as it drops southeast through Kentucky into the Cumberland Mountains.  The best chances of this being across northern Kentucky into Ohio and parts of West Virginia.

Tonight Into Wednesday Morning

Chance of flurries & snow showers into the evening.  Becoming bitter with decreasing clouds overnight into the predawn-morning.  W to WNW winds of 10-20 mph, with higher gusts, decreasing across lower-middle elevations overnight.  Temperatures falling into the single digits to lower 10s.  Wind chill factors in the single digits to lower 10s, except 0 to -15 below in gusts on middle-upper elevation mountain ridges & plateaus.

Snowfall Forecast Today Into Tonight

As during the previous event, which I well highlighted, moisture will again be limited with a westerly ( not a NW Upslope Flow ) stream of air from mid-continent into the mountains.  The period for accumulating snowfall will therefore be limited, with most occurring rapidly in association with the cold front and wind shift.

A general 1″ to 1.5″ along upslope side of mountains

Generally less than 1″ on downslope side of mountains

Target snowfall of 1.2″ at 2500 feet ( +/- ) 1″ error potential. This implies that snowfall of .2″ to 2.2″ is possible in Norton-Wise and adjacent communities of similar elevation along the upslope side of the High Knob Massif & Tennessee Valley Divide.  Extremes of a dusting up to 2-3″ are possible.

Snow totals of 1″ or less are expected in downslope locations amid river valleys of the Clinch, Powell, and Holston into the Tri-Cities.

My Forecast Discussion ( January 11-12 )

A bitter start to January 11 featured morning low temps in the single digits to lower 10s, with coldest conditions amid the High Knob Massif where wind chills during the predawn dropped to around 10 degrees below zero over a light snow cover ( generally 1″ or less of depth ).

Afternoon hours of January 11 were chilly with some very nice lenticular wave clouds developing over the High Knob Massif, as featured by the web cam at UVA-Wise.

Beautiful waves caught enough moisture to form lenticular clouds above the High Knob Massif, illuminated by the late afternoon sun, as temps reached lower 20s on High Knob and 30 to 35 degrees in lower-middle elevations of the area.

It has all been about gusty winds and bitter wind chills during evening hours of January 11 into the overnight of January 12, especially at middle to upper elevations.

Gusty SSW-SW winds have been making it feel like 10 to 15 degrees in Norton-Wise, with even colder conditions along mountain ridges above 2700 feet.

Wind chills have consistently been in single digits above and below zero along high mountain crestlines, with anyone brave enough to have ventured to the High Knob Lookout experiencing even colder conditions than highlighted above by the somewhat lower elevation mesonet station on nearby Black Mountain.

Focus now shifts to a reinforcing blast of arctic air that will begin pouring into the mountains behind the passage of a cold front during the afternoon-evening of Tuesday.

The area will be in a very favorable position with divergence and rising air amid the left front exit region of a powerful 120+ knot jetstreak in the Polar Stream but, as with the last event, moisture will be a limiting factor and the best overall moisture + lift will remain north of the southern Appalachians.

As the NAM Model forecast sounding below illustrates, the air saturates aloft before it does in low-levels where very dry air is present initially.

Lapse rates become moderately steep and a little CAPE is present during the favorable early-mid afternoon time period, such that convergence along the front is likely to aid in generation of some convective elements ( graupel snow is often an indicator of strong upward vertical motion associated with convective activity which can occur without actually generating lightning and thunder ).

The midnight run of the HRRR Model is forecasting a band of snow to be crossing the Virginia-Kentucky border by 1:00 PM, above, and to have some convective type squalls-streaks forming behind it at around 3:00 PM ( below ).

The bulk of snowfall today is likely between Noon and 4 PM, with flurries and snow showers possible before and after this main time period that is targeted for the heaviest frontal and post-frontal activity.

The Bottom Line…Flurries and snow showers will develop today with potential for an intense snow band and/or squalls to form along a cold front during early-mid afternoon ( with brief visibility to near zero and strong, gusty winds ).  For this reason an ALERT has been issued for the possibility of rapid deterioration in driving-walking conditions.

Given recent cold nights it will take only a little snow to cause hazardous travel conditions.

*Winter Weather Advisories have been issued for Dickenson, Buchanan counties in southwestern Virginia and for most of eastern Kentucky and West Virginia.

Make it a safe Tuesday.