Weather Headlines

Reference Mid-Winter 2021_High Knob Massif for a recap of recent conditions, as well as a 2020 precipitation update.

ALERT For Accumulating Snow During The Predawn To Mid-Morning Hours Of Thursday (21 January 2021)

The highest risk for accumulating snow is expected along and mainly south of a Breaks Interstate Park to Bluefield line across far southwestern Virginia.

Hazardous Road Conditions Are Expected Due To Cold Surface Temperatures As Well As Moderate To High Snowfall Rates Associated With This Fast Moving System

Accumulations from 0.5″ to 2.5″ are expected, the bulk of which will fall during the predawn to mid-morning period of Thursday.

Locally higher amounts are possible.

Updated at 9:30 PM on 20 January 2021…USA models are now coming into line with the foreign models and are finally realizing the snow accumulation potential with this fast moving southern wave.

It is interesting to observe that USA based models have been slow to show accumulating snow with this system, in contrast with the European, Canadian, and German based models that all predict a period of accumulating snow Thursday (essentially all 51-members of the European Ensemble group agree).

Previous Discussion

Wednesday Into Wednesday Night

Cold air will return Wednesday (20 January 2021) on WNW-NW flow. Limited moisture will keep upslope flurries and snow showers mainly light.

Generally less than 1″ of accumulation is expected, even at highest elevations, with little to none in many locations.

Locations northeast of the Virginia-West Virginia border, along and west of the Allegheny Front, will have a general 1″ to 5″ of snow with some Great Lake moisture transport.

Predawn-Morning Hours of Thursday

The potential for a morning burst of moderate snow is being monitored for Thursday (21 January 2021) as a southern tracking system passes mainly south of the Mountain Empire.

Locations along and south of the High Knob Massif appear to be at highest risk for a morning accumulation of snow, however, this remains to be determined.

Stay tuned.

Major Storm: Early-Middle of Next Week

The potential for heavy precipitation is being monitored for next week. While rain and snow may fall, the bulk of this event is currently leaning toward rain in modeling as milder air surges across the Mountain Empire.

This raises a concern for heavy to excessive run-off with snow melt from the upper elevations. Once again, stay tuned for later updates on this storm potential.