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Mountains

SUNDAY: Chance for strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon and evening

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CADEN NELSON

CADEN NELSON


Here's my midday update on the storm risk, including the potential for a few strong-to-severe storms this afternoon and evening. It'll be hot and humid today before any storms start to develop, so take it easy. We will have a front moving through the state tonight, which will, dare I say, usher in some slightly cooler air for the beginning of the week.


Ahead of the front, scattered showers and thunderstorms will be have the potential to develop across the state, mainly in clusters/hit or a hit-or-miss setup. They'll be scattered, so not everyone will see them by any means, but there will be some storms around. However, thanks to the combination of heat and humidity (HIGH CAPE VALUES) and some Wind Shear, a couple of strong to severe storms are possible today; the main threat is going to be damaging winds from downbursts. Downbursts (a powerful, localized column of sinking air (a downdraft) within a thunderstorm that plummets to the ground and spreads out in all directions. It can create destructive, straight-line winds)


Severe weather does not impact everyone, and storm coverage today will be very hit-or-miss, but we should keep an eye on it, especially if you have outdoor late-afternoon/evening plans. Severe weather can vary significantly over short distances. To stay safe, ensure you have multiple methods for receiving emergency alerts and a pre-planned, secure location where you can take cover when conditions deteriorate.


I posted some future radar images, but made them small because the future radar models don't do great on days like this, which gives you an idea of the scattered nature. I'll keep you updated!

Mountains

110°F

Raleigh area

CADEN NELSON

CADEN NELSON

NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS TO SEE A WHITE CHRISTMAS AS A WINTER STORM MOVES IN TONIGHT

WHITE CHRISTMAS?

SNOW AMOUNTS INCREASE FOR THE MOUNTAINS: Dreaming of a White Christmas, head to the mountains. Accumulating snowfall is expected tonight through Christmas across the mountains of NC; this will be a northwest snow event. Temperatures will be hovering just near to slightly below freezing; this will lead to accumulating snow from Thursday night into Friday. Wind blowing snow is expected due to high wind gusts.

Accumulation: 1-2 to 3-5 inches expected for anyone above 2,000ft; some snow will even fly for the valleys (Asheville). The big winners for snow are above 3,500ft into the Smokies and along the North Carolina Tennesse border 4-8inches like along the highest peaks, for example, the Smokies mountains, Mount Mitchell, the western facing ski resorts, and Blue Ridge Parkways. A few ridgetop locations will exceed 8+ inches, especially in the Smokies. Snowfall amounts are highly dependent on elevation; the higher you are, the better. The lower you are in the valleys, light snowfall possible.

A Winter Storm Warning is posted for Avery-Madison-Yancey-Mitchell-Ashe-Watauga-Swain-Haywood-Graham-


A Winter Weather Advisory is posted for Swain-Haywood-Buncombe-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon- Southern Jackson-Caldwell Mountains-Burke Mountains-McDowell Mountains-Cherokee-Clay


While areas outside of the mountains will not see a white Christmas. It is very possible tomorrow during the day, there is a few snow flurries or passing snow showers across the state, no accumulation possible. Snow on Christmas is very rare, but I can't rule out about a 20% of a few isolated snow showers statewide tomorrow.


Regardless, it will be very cold with highs in the 20s/30s/40s across the state; once you factor in the wind chills, it will be in the 20s and 30s for most. Mostly sunny skies with an isolated passing snow shower; it will be cool to see a few passing if we do.




 
 
 

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