Winter Storm Warnings, Major Winter Storm Early This Week

 **Major Storm Expected To Impact The Region Monday Into Tuesday**

 

 

Arctic high pressure continues to settle into the area providing quiet and cold conditions tonight. Our winds will gradually decrease allowing temperatures to drop into the teens. A storm developing to our southwest will gradually move in our direction and this will overspread high thin clouds during the overnight. By Monday morning, our skies will be mostly cloudy but any snow will still remain west of the mountains. Snow will begin to overspread the high country during the morning and early afternoon, but Charlotte will remain snow free throughout most of the day. Snow will start off light in the mountains but it will quickly increase in intensity. During the late afternoon, Snow will overspread the foothills and the Charlotte area. As the sun sets, Snow will transition to sleet and freezing rain in the lower elevations. This changeover to sleet and freezing rain will be a gradual process. Warm air aloft will move from the South Carolina border and penetrate as far north as the Foothills. The transition from snow to freezing rain will happen quickly in Charlotte but will take several hours to happen in the Foothills. Areas that changeover quickly will see lower snowfall totals than areas that take an extended period of time to transition. Mountain areas will remain snow throughout the duration of this storm but could mix with sleet at times. The wintry mix of weather will persist Monday night and taper off Tuesday morning. Temperatures will remain at or below freezing throughout the entire storm. Roadways are expected to quickly become slick and travel is not recommended. With the recent cold blast, ground surfaces are already very cold and any precipitation that falls will freeze quickly to any surface. Although the storm will end early Tuesday, expect slick spots to linger into early Wednesday as any snow that melts Tuesday will refreeze Tuesday night as temperatures drop below freezing.

 

CHARLOTTE FORECAST:

 

When: Snow will begin to overspread the area late Monday, after 4pm, and linger into the evening. Snow will quickly transition to sleet and freezing rain. This wintry mix will linger into early Tuesday before the storm moves away from the area.

 

Snow Totals: Most areas will see a coating up to an inch of snow and sleet before the changeover to freezing rain. In addition to the snow, up to a quarter of an inch of ice will be possible before the storm ends early Tuesday.

 

Impacts: With the recent cold blast, ground temperatures remain very cold. Any precipitation that falls will free on contact. The intial burst of snow and sleet will produce a coating of snow on the area roads. As the snow and sleet transition to freezing rain expect ice to develop quickly. Roadways will become very dangerous and travel is not recommended. Melting will occur Tuesday after the storm leaves and temperatures rise above freezing. Any moisture remaining on the road will refreeze Tuesday night creating black ice and slick roads into early Wednesday.

 

FOOTHILLS:

 

When: Snow will begin to overspread the area Monday afternoon, after 2pm, and linger into the evening. Snow will gradually transition to sleet and freezing rain during the evening. This wintry mix will linger into early Tuesday before the storm moves away from the area.

 

Snow Totals: Most areas will see 2-5 inches of snow and sleet before the changeover to freezing rain. In addition to the snow, up to a tenth of an inch of ice will be possible before the storm ends early Tuesday.

 

Impacts: With the recent cold blast, ground temperatures remain very cold. Any precipitation that falls will freeze on contact. The initial burst of snow and sleet will produce several inches of snow and sleet on area roads. As the snow and sleet transition to freezing rain expect ice to develop quickly. Roadways will become very dangerous and travel is not recommended. Melting will occur Tuesday after the storm exits the area and temperatures rise above freezing. Any moisture remaining on the road will refreeze Tuesday night creating black ice and slick roads into early Wednesday.

 

 

MOUNTAIN FORECAST:

 

When: Snow will begin to overspread the area Monday morning and its intensity will pick up Monday afternoon and Monday night. The snow will taper off early Tuesday.

 

Snow Totals: Elevations over 3,000 feet will see 5-8 inches of snow. Elevations over 5,000 could see up to 10 inches.

 

Impacts: Roads will quickly become slick. Snow covered roads and black ice will be likely. If you can, avoid driving. Snow will melt on the roadways Tuesday as the storm exits the area but frigid temperatures Tuesday night will refreeze any wet roadways. Use caution Wednesday morning for black ice.