Winter Storm Watch in Effect

A winter storm watch is in effect for the entire region Sunday. The onset of wintry weather will begin overnight Saturday. Cold air will already be in place at the onset of this event which means precipitation will start as snow across much of the region. Warmer air nudges near the I-85 corridor near daybreak Sunday. This speeds up the time of this wintry mix by a few hours and makes it the main focus for the region.

Temperatures will remain near freezing at the surface meaning a change over to sleet and even freezing rain. This line will lift north likely bringing icy conditions even into the I-40 corridor by noon. This also means we will have more ice than snow accumulation across the region – especially near and south of I-85. As this low heads toward the northeast late Sunday, we could see another changeover briefly to snow west of I-77 as areas south and east of I-85 begins to dry out.

The mountains will likely see snow through midday Monday as drier air settles into the rest of the region. Impacts will be felt well beyond Sunday and Monday with travel issues and power outages a concern for the entire region under the weight of snow and ice.

WHAT WE KNOW
Winter Storm will impact the entire region on Sunday.

TIMING
After midnight Sunday through Monday. Snow could linger through midday Monday for the Mountains.

WHAT/ HOW MUCH
Wintry Mix
Mountains: 8-12″ of snow.
Foothills to I-40: 6-8″ of snow, glaze of ice.
I-40 to I-85: 1-4″ of snow, up to .50″ of ice.
South of I-85: Up to 1″ of snow, .25 to .50″ of ice.

WIND
Gusts 30-40 mph.

IMPACTS
Widespread travel issues, downed  trees, power outages lasting days.