SNOWFALL FOLLOWED BY COLD WEATHER

An Alberta Clipper will bring a round of snowfall to parts of NC, ushering in behind it will be very cold air, not record cold though. The Possibility of snow to the Piedmont, Central, and parts of Eastern NC Tuesday night. This will not be a major winter storm to anyone in NC, instead it will be a very light snowfall event Tuesday night mostly a dusting or less. Rain will start for everyone from the Foothills east early to mid Tuesday, once the cold air catches the the rain it will change over to snow though not a guarantee. The big concern more than the light snow will be a Flash Freeze Tuesday night lead to pockets of black ice and travel problems Wednesday AM. No reason to run to the store and buy bread or milk its not going to be a problem from the Foothills east. The western foothills west another story.

Here's a look at the snowfall map, not posting amounts for the central, Triad, and eastern parts of the state because they are simply too light. There is no need to hype up a situation. WESTERN NC SNOWFALL MAP IS THE NEXT PHOTO!

TIMING:

-Rain will start mid-day in the foothills with change over to snow by early afternoon for a few hours

-Snow change over possible 1-3PM in the Triad and evening hours for Triangle and eastern NC

Remember snow is not a guarantee outside the foothills, but looks possible whether not it sticks is a whole other story. Heavy snow will cause some brief problems and might accumulate, light snow will just before looks. The roads will be warm until the sun goes down.

Winter Storm Warnings posted for Swain-Haywood-Graham-Northern Jackson-Macon-Southern Jackson. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 1 a.m - 7 p.m. Tuesday for Avery, Madison, Yancey, Mitchell, Swain, Haywood, Buncombe, Macon, Transylvania, Henderson and Graham, Cherokee, and Clay Counties in WNC. Also affected are Northern Jackson and Southern Jackson County, the mountains of Caldwell, Burke, McDowell, Rutherford and Polk Counties. Moderate to heavy snowfall to parts of Western NC Tuesday. Temperatures will fall rapidly and snow could fall through the morning, with precipitation likely tapering off in the afternoon. A brief period of moderate to heavy snow will occur in parts of the mountains of North Carolina

SNOWFALL MAP:

Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches with locally higher amounts of 6 inches in the higher terrain possible.

(1-2) The foothills and Valleys will see generally 1-2" thus a winter storm watch is not in effect.

(2-4) All areas in light blue will see generally 2-4" with highest amounts in the higher elevations towns and mountains.

(5+) Ridgetops of the Smokies and Balsams may see 4 to 5 inches of snow, with slightly higher amounts on the highest ridges.

Tuesday the mountains and extreme western areas will see snow by sunrise Tuesday and it will move east throughout the day. The heaviest snow will fall during the afternoon and evening mainly in the mountains. Rain will also mix in.

IMPACTS: The snow combined with cold air could lead to snow covered roads, especially on less traveled roads. Black ice is expected Wednesday morning in areas that receive less snow. Strong and gusty winds could also lead to some downed trees and power outages. Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute. A flash freeze is possible in some high elevation areas, meaning wet roads may quickly become icy and slippery.

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