Tempest Chasing » Winter

Snow, Snow, Snow…

Kelton Halbert — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 22:31:28 +0000

Yet another winter weather event is on its way. Starting tomorrow (Wednesday), snow will start falling over Middle Tennessee. I can only guarantee one thing: snow will fall from the sky and land on the ground. However, there is a lot of uncertainty and disagreement between weather models regarding the amount of snow we will see. The usual over estimating model (GFS) is showing 1-2 inches, and the usual under-estimating model (the NAM) is showing up to 4 inches. As you can imagine, this leads to a lot of uncertainty. The National Weather Service is calling for a widespread 1-3 inches because of this disagreement between forecast models. However, the last several snow events here in Middle Tennessee have proven that the actual amounts end up the lower to middle amounts specified. So, I would bank on 1-2 inches being the most likely with locally higher amounts up to 3 inches *possible*.

As far as timing goes, snow will start falling within a 3 hour window. The National Weather Service is estimating snow arrival between noon and 3 PM. On top of this, the high for Wednesday will only be 30, with a low of 17 Wednesday night. This means that as the evening goes on, snow will accumulate on roads. You can expect schools to let out early or even cancel ahead of this event. I am uncertain about whether or not schools will close Thursday, but the temperatures will definitely support slick roads. I would recommend keeping an eye on the forecasts (preferably the National Weather Service) for updated info as the event goes on, as I will be out of town. Also, there is a Winter Weather Advisory ahead of this event.

..WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON WEDNESDAY TO 3 AM CST THURSDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NASHVILLE HAS ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON WEDNESDAY TO 3 AM CST THURSDAY.

* GEOGRAPHIC AREA: MID TENNESSEE AREAS INCLUDING NASHVILLE…COLUMBIA…LAWRENCEBURG…PULASKI AND CARTHAGE.

* TIMING: WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

* ACCUMULATIONS: 1 TO 3 INCHES.

* IMPACTS: ROADS WILL BECOME SNOW COVERED AND SLICK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW…SLEET…OR FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES…AND USE CAUTION WHILE DRIVING.

Winter Storm Warning for Wednesday!

Kelton Halbert — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 20:04:11 +0000

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for ALL of Middle Tennessee from Midnight tonight until Noon Wednesday. Snow accumulations of 2 inches is almost guaranteed, with 3-5 inches possible in most areas. Places of higher elevation such as the Cumberland Plateau can expect higher snowfall amounts, from 4-6 inches. Road conditions will be worst through the overnight hours and in the morning, so schools will probably be cancelled on Wednesday. However, the high from Wednesday afternoon is 35, so the roads will warm up as the day goes on. However, the sun won’t peak out but occasionally, so most of the snow may stick around. Concrete generally stays warmer than the outside temp, so my guess is that most roads will be clear by Thursday. I would expect schools to close Wednesday, but Thursday is still a tough call for both sides.

At right is a graphic showing the timing of this event. It will be raining before hand, so the timing zones are for when the rain will change over to snow. Once it changes over to snow, the accumulations will begin. Accumulations will vary depending on when the system comes and goes, and what the temperature is, but it is safe to say you can expect more than 2 inches. Here is the Winter Storm Warning from the National Weather Service.

…ANOTHER WINTER STORM TO IMPACT MIDDLE TENNESSEE TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY…

.A VERY DYNAMIC AND MOIST WINTER SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA BRINGING HEAVY SNOW TO MIDDLE TENNESSEE TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY. SNOW WILL BEGIN IN WESTERN AREAS EARLY THIS EVENING AND ALONG AND EAST OF INTERSTATE 65 BY MIDNIGHT. THE HEAVIEST SNOW TOTALS FOR THE EVENT WILL BE ACROSS NORTHEASTERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE AND ALONG THE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU. THIS IS FIFTH WINTER STORM TO AFFECT MIDDLE TENNESSEE THIS WINTER SEASON.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NASHVILLE HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR CENTRAL MIDDLE TENNESSEE…WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON CST WEDNESDAY.

* GEOGRAPHIC AREA: CENTRAL MIDDLE TENNESSEE…INCLUDING THE CITIES OF NASHVILLE…SHELBYVILLE…LEBANON AND MURFREESBORO.

* TIMING: SNOW ACCUMULATING AROUND MIDNIGHT AND CONTINUING THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING. * ACCUMULATIONS: 2 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW IS EXPECTED.

* IMPACTS:TRAVEL CONDITIONS WILL BECOME HAZARDOUS TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW…SLEET…AND ICE ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE.

It looks like this mid to upper level low pressure system will dig its way right through Middle Tennessee at 3 AM according to the GFS 500 millibar plot. This is probably when some of the heavier snow will start falling according to the GFS snow-depth map. So, keep an eye on the weather, and enjoy the snow, if at all possible. I know that I am ready for spring! However, there is nothing quite like the beauty of a freshly fallen snow… anyway, stay safe and warm!

Tennessee Declares State of Emergency

Kelton Halbert — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 01:39:51 +0000

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has declared a State of Emergency for the entire state in preparation of the coming winter storm. Snow accumulations of up to 8 inches are possible in many parts of the state, with the entire state having at least 3 inches, with much more likely. Here is the current update from the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.

“Tennessee declares emergency in advance of snow arrival

The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has increased its activation level and called in additional staff to monitor the winter storm anticipated across much of Tennessee.

Update 6:30 p.m.: TEMA’s activation level was moved to level 3 and the state is under a declared state of emergency.

On Sunday at 6 p.m., James Bassham, Director of TEMA, raised the State Emergency Operation Center’s readiness to Level 4. In addition to staff being placed on duty at TEMA’s facilities in Jackson and Knoxville, a number of TEMA staff and emergency service coordinators from the Departments of Safety (Highway Patrol) and Transportation have reported to TEMA’s headquarters in Nashville.

TEMA’s Media Line will be available from 6 p.m. – 11 p.m. Sunday and again at 6 a.m. Monday morning.

Media can call 615-741-0482 to speak with a TEMA representative.”

Stay safe, as the snow will arrive in Nashville around Midnight tonight. The snow will continue until roughly Tuesday evening. It is safest to stay off of the road, as they will be slick with compact snow and possibly even ice. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 6 PM Monday.

…WINTER STORM WARNING FOR ALL OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY…

.A SURFACE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WAS CENTERED JUST SOUTH OF LAKE CHARLES LOUISIANA AT MID-AFTERNOON. A BROAD AREA OF WINTRY PRECIPITATION WAS SPREADING INTO CENTRAL ARKANSAS…AND INTO NORTH CENTRAL MISSISSIPPI…WESTERN ALABAMA AND PARTS OF EASTERN OKLAHOMA. THE WINTRY PRECIPITATION AREA WILL CONTINUE TO ADVANCE NORTHEASTWARD DURING THE AFTERNOON AND INTO THE MID STATE TONIGHT.

SNOW IS EXPECTED TO COMMENCE OVER FAR SOUTHWEST MIDDLE TENNESSEE AFTER 7 PM THIS EVENING…AND SPREAD INTO THE NASHVILLE AREA AROUND MIDNIGHT…AND OVER NORTHEAST MIDDLE TENNESSEE AND PLATEAU AFTER MIDNIGHT.

POTENTIAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS…GENERALLY TWO TO FOUR INCHES ALONG AND NORTH INTERSTATE 40…AND FOUR TO SEVEN INCHES OVER SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE…WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS ALONG THE PLATEAU.

IN ADDITION…MORE SNOW IS FORECAST MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY WHICH WILL ADD MORE ACCUMULATION TO THE SNOW TOTALS BROUGHT BY THE WINTER STORM.

Major Winter Storm to Impact Soon!

Kelton Halbert — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 05:35:08 +0000

So, starting Sunday (tomorrow) night, a major Winter storm will start to close in on Middle Tennessee, bringing large accumulations of snow over a wide area. There is a Winter Storm Watch in effect for Davidson County, and counties along a similar line. Williamson County, and counties along a similar line and south, are under a Winter Storm Warning. A Winter Storm Watch means that there is potential for significant snow accumulations that will effect travel. A Winter Storm Warning means that significant amounts of snow, sleet, or ice either is occurring or will occur very soon. I would expect the rest of Middle Tennessee to fall under the Winter Storm Warning by tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon the latest. Snow will start occurring late Sunday night, ending Tuesday night. Again, it can’t be called until it actually happens, but expect schools to be closed Monday and possibly Tuesday as well. Here is the Winter Storm Warning from the National Weather Service. As you can see, the snowfall in the image above is going to be INSANE!

..WINTER STORM WARNING FOR SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE MIDNIGHT SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY…

..WINTER STORM WATCH FOR NORTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE MIDNIGHT SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY…

.A SURFACE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL DEVELOP OVER THE TEXAS GULF COASTAL AREA ON SUNDAY MORNING. THE LOW WILL MOVE ALONG THE GULF COAST SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY. COLD AIR WILL BE IN PLACE ACROSS MIDDLE TENNESSEE AS THE SYSTEM SPREADS MOISTURE NORTHWARD ACROSS THE AREA. THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR A SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL ACROSS MOST OF THE MID STATE FROM SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY.

POTENTIAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS…ONE TO THREE INCHES OVER NORTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE…THREE TO SIX INCHES OVER SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE.

IN ADDITION…MORE SNOW IS FORECAST MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY WHICH WILL ADD MORE ACCUMULATION TO THE SNOW TOTALS BROUGHT BY THE WINTER STORM.

The surface low will track right along the Gulf of Mexico, dragging in cold air from Canada. This will cause the precipitation to come down as snow, bringing this winter weather. According to the temperatures for the next few days, the snow may not leave until Friday afternoon. This will make travel difficult, possibly causing more cancelations.

Again, 5-8 INCHES likely for a large portion of the state! Be SURE to use common sense while traveling. Roads will be slick and snow covered, freezing overnight. Stay tuned to the weather either at weather.gov or NOAA weather radio. Storm Spotters and emergency managers are encouraged to report snowfall and road conditions to the National Weather Service. Stay safe, and stay warm!

Possible Winter Storm Next Week

Kelton Halbert — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 22:54:22 +0000

Early Next week, Sunday through Tuesday, brings the possibility of a pretty decent winter storm. Starting sometime Sunday Night, a low pressure system in the lower levels of the atmosphere will move along the Gulf of Mexico, bringing some significant snow for the next few days. The snow will then taper off by Tuesday evening, and the amount of snow by then will be quite significant, if all pans out in the models. By Tuesday Night, the GFS models are showing up to 4 inches of snow possible! Please note that this system is still pretty unpredictable, so the snow amounts could be less, or they could be more. It all depends on the track of the low pressure systems that are going to bring in the precipitation. So, there is room for error, but as we get closer to the event, the GFS model gets more and more consistent with certain patterns.

I encourage you to also read the forecast on this event on nashvilleWX (http://bit.ly/fzNhWY). It describes that our best chances for snow come from the gulf lows. I don’t have any concrete evidence as to why, but I have a suspicion. To me, it seems like because the low is passing down to our south, it is drawing in cold, northern air. This brings down the temperatures, and if enough moisture exists, the precipitation that falls becomes snow. This appears to be the case.

The National Weather Service has some interesting information on this too. As you can see in the image above, they are expecting some significant snowfall as well. On the right is the estimated snowfall by 12:00 AM Tuesday morning. You can click on it to make it larger. Anyway, this could lead to the possibility of school closures on Tuesday. Temperatures won’t reach above freezing until Friday, so it is possible for more than one day off. This is not guaranteed, and can only be confirmed with more proximity to the event. Here is what the National Weather Service has to say about it in their Hazardous Weather Outlook.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…SATURDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

…POTENTIAL FOR WINTER STORM SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY…

THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR A SIGNIFICANT SNOW EVENT FOR MIDDLE TENNESSEE SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY AS A SURFACE LOW IS FORECAST TO DEVELOP OFF THE SOUTHEAST TEXAS COAST AND MOVE ALONG THE GULF COAST WHILE SPREADING SNOW ACROSS THE TENNESSEE VALLEY…INCLUDING MIDDLE TENNESSEE. THE POTENTIAL FOR THE HEAVIEST SNOWFALL EXISTS ACROSS SOUTHERN AREAS OF THE MID STATE WHERE FOUR INCHES OF SNOW IS POSSIBLE…WITH TWO TO FOUR INCHES POSSIBLE SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 40 AND ONE TO TWO INCHES NORTH OF INTERSTATE 40. EXACT AMOUNTS FOR THIS EVENT WILL DEPEND ON THE FINAL STORM TRACK.

Once again, nothing is set in stone yet, but it is looking increasingly likely for some significant snow. Be watching for possible school closures and dangerous road conditions if this is the case! Check back here for more information around Sunday afternoon.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Forecast

Kelton Halbert — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 02:56:07 +0000

Looks like Nashville and the rest of Middle Tennessee will have a white Christmas! This is rather remarkable, as most who live here know, but to show just how special this is I will list you some statistics from the National Weather Service office here in Nashville. If you just want information on the snow and amounts, skip over to the next paragraph. I’ll just directly quote the NWS here: “Since the winter of 1884 and 1885, when snowfall records began in Nashville, snow has fallen 23 times on Christmas Day. Only 9 have been a measurable amount. A measurable amount is one tenth of an inch or more. From a statistical standpoint, there is a 19 percent chance of a trace or more of snow on Christmas Day, and only a 7 percent chance of measurable snow. The last time snow fell on Christmas was in 2002 when a trace occurred. The last time measurable snow fell on Christmas was 1993 when 0.3 inches occurred. 0.3 inches also fell on Christmas in 1992 in downtown Nashville, but 1 to 2 inches fell in the Joelton and Ridgtop areas. 1992 and 1993 is the only time that two consecutive Christmases have had measurable snowfall. The last white Christmas in Nashville was in 1969 when 2.7 inches of snow fell. A white Christmas is one or more inches of snowfall. The warmest Christmas on record occurred in 1982, and the coldest was in 1983. The wettest Christmas on record was in 1987 when 2.37 inches of rain fell. Christmas 1984, at 1150PM, a tornado cut a million dollar damage path from the Whispering Hills section of Nashville to near Una.” So, as you can see, this is going to be one exciting Christmas. (click the image at the top for an animated view of the storm’s track)

So, how much snow can we expect? Well, if you click on the image to the right, you will see an image from the GFS weather model. This is predicting 2+ inches of snow accumulating by 12 PM Christmas Afternoon. Not much is expected after this. The snow will start falling late Friday night, and by Midnight there will already be 1 inch of snow on the ground. However, there is still some uncertainty as to the track and timing of the system.Right now, it looks as if the low pressure center will pass south of us, sucking in cold air towards the south which will allow for our wintry weather. Thats about all I have, so here is a Special Weather Statement from the National Weather Service.

A STORM SYSTEM CURRENTLY IN THE SOUTHWESTERN STATES WILL MOVE INTO
THE SOUTHEASTERN STATES THIS WEEKEND INCLUDING MIDDLE TENNESSEE.

MOISTURE WILL BE DRAWN NORTH AHEAD OF THE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM AS
COLDER AIR SINKS SOUTHWARD. A MIX OF SNOW...SLEET AND RAIN IS
EXPECTED FRIDAY NIGHT...WITH SNOW CONTINUING INTO SATURDAY NIGHT.
AT THIS TIME...AN ACCUMULATING SNOW IS EXPECTED WITH UP TO TWO
INCHES OVER MOST PARTS OF THE MID STATE AND UP TO THREE INCHES
ALONG THE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU BY LATE SUNDAY. SINCE THIS EVENT IS
STILL TWO TO THREE DAYS AWAY...UNCERTAINITY REMAINS IN THE
EVENTUAL TRACK OF THE STORM SYSTEM AND SNOW AMOUNTS.

PEOPLE PLANNING TRAVEL ON CHRISTMAS EVE OR CHRISTMAS DAY...MAY
WANT TO CONSIDER TRAVELING EARLIER...PERHAPS THURSDAY OR EARLY FRIDAY
AS IT APPEARS THE WINTRY PRECIPITATION COULD BEGIN IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE
AS EARLY AS FRIDAY AFTERNOON...AS ROAD CONDITIONS WILL LIKELY DETERIORATE
QUICKLY ONCE THE SNOW BEGINS.

THERE HAVE BEEN ONLY NINE CHRISTMASES WITH MEASURABLE AMOUNTS OF
SNOW SINCE SNOWFALL RECORD KEEPING BEGAN IN NASHVILLE BACK IN THE
WINTER OF 1884 AND 1885. THE LAST TIME MEASURABLE SNOW FELL ON
CHRISTMAS DAY IN NASHVILLE WAS IN 1993 WHEN THREE TENTHS OF AN
INCH WAS MEASURED. TRACE AMOUNTS OF SNOW FELL ON CHRISTMAS IN
2002. STATISTICALLY THERE IS ONLY A 7 PERCENT CHANCE OF MEASURABLE
SNOW ON ANY GIVEN CHRISTMAS. THE MOST SNOW EVER TO FALL ON
CHRISTMAS IN NASHVILLE IS 2.7 INCHES IN 1969.

If anything changes, I’ll make another forecast. Be safe, and merry Christmas!

Freezing Rain/Ice Storm On The Way!

Kelton Halbert — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:50:48 +0000

Be expecting some freezing rain and ice as a powerful winter weather system starts to push in. The temperature is hovering just below freezing, which will cause the rain to freeze on impact with cold surfaces. This will cause dangerous road and driving conditions tonight through tomorrow morning. We are currently under a Winter Weather Advisory, and portions of northeast Mid Tn are under a Winter Storm Warning. Expect things to start falling starting this afternoon, but the real ice is most likely after 6 PM. Until then, precipitation will be a wintry mix of rain/sleet/snow. It all depends on the temperature of the area. Thankfully, this winter weather won’t last much longer than tomorrow morning. Tomorrow will have a high well above freezing, so most of the ice will melt by afternoon tomorrow.

On the right is an image of precip within the area. This is not entirely accurate, because radar cannot distinguish different types of precipitation. This is just what is most likely. On the left side is most likely snow, or maybe even sleet. This is characterized by the softer and lighter radar returns. In the left, we have freezing rain/sleet. There have already been reports by the public and law enforcement, and it is also characterized by the higher radar returns due to the ice involved. There are also countless reports of freezing rain in Alabama, and it has crippled road transportation and caused many accidents. If you are driving after sunset today, please be careful.

The image at left is the expected amount of ice to accumulate, which is more than enough to completely cover a road and cause cars to lose control. Here is what the National Weather Service has to say.

.A WINTER STORM SYSTEM…APPROACHING FROM THE SOUTHWEST…WILL DELIVER ANOTHER SHOT OF FROZEN AND FREEZING PRECIPITATION TO THE MID STATE THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT. PRECIPITATION MAY BEGIN AS A BRIEF PERIOD OF SNOW AND SLEET…BUT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY A LONGER PERIOD OF FREEZING RAIN…WHICH IS FORECAST TO PRODUCE DANGEROUS ICE ACCUMULATIONS…ESPECIALLY IN THE EXTREME NORTHEAST.

SOUTHERN AREAS WILL LIKELY SEE THE WINTRY WEATHER MOVE IN FIRST… DURING THE EARLY AFTERNOON HOURS. THE PRECIPITATION IS THEN EXPECTED TO SPREAD RAPIDLY NORTHWARD…LIKELY COVERING MUCH OF THE MID STATE BY SUNSET. INTENSITY OF THE FREEZING RAIN IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY TONIGHT…AS THE LOW PRESSURE AREA CONTINUES TO STRENGTH TO OUR WEST…WITH HEAVIEST ACCUMULATIONS EXPECTED IN COUNTIES NEAR THE KENTUCKY BORDER.

Be safe!

More Winter Weather On The Way…

Kelton Halbert — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:23:06 +0000

More winter weather will move in tonight, bringing very light accumulations of snow over northern parts of the state. Models are showing a maximum accumulation in areas like northern Davidson County, but Williamson County and below will only receive a light dusting. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for tonight, meaning that non severe winter weather may occur.

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NASHVILLE TN
310 PM CST FRI FEB 5 2010

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY PARTS OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE LATE TONIGHT
THROUGH EARLY SATURDAY MORNING...

.A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL MOVE ACROSS THE REGION WITH LIGHT
PRECIPITATION TONIGHT. THE PRECIPITATION WILL BE RAIN
EARLY...CHANGING TO LIGHT SNOW OVERNIGHT. SNOWFALL AMOUNTS AROUND
ONE INCH ARE POSSIBLE FOR NORTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE WITH 2 INCHES
POSSIBLE ON THE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU.

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS EVENING TO
10 AM CST SATURDAY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN NASHVILLE HAS ISSUED A WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 10 PM THIS
EVENING TO 10 AM CST SATURDAY.

* MAIN IMPACT: UP TO ONE INCH OF SNOW WILL FALL OVER NORTHERN
  MIDDLE TENNESSEE LATE TONIGHT. 1 TO 2 INCHES WILL FALL OVER THE
  CUMBERLAND PLATEAU AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

* OTHER IMPACTS: MOST OF THE ACCUMULATION WILL OCCUR ON GRASSY
  AREAS. SOME ROADS MAY BECOME SLICK.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW...SLEET...OR
FREEZING RAIN WILL CAUSE TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR
SLIPPERY ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.

So, nothing major. Just don't be surprised when you start to see some snow falling!

And do not even begin to think schools will be closed for this. Just a light dusting

Winter Storm Snow Totals Update!

Kelton Halbert — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:03:59 +0000

IMAGE UPDATE:

The National Weather Service is now expecting 6-12 inches of snow for Northern Middle Tennessee and the Nashville Area!

Also, there worst is yet to come…

The National Weather Service is saying the heaviest snow will come later this afternoon, causing for the most hazardous road conditions of the day.

.NOW…
AT 3 PM…WINTRY PRECIPITATION CONTINUES ACROSS MIDDLE TENNESSEE.
SNOW WAS BEING REPORTED OVER ALL OF THE MID STATE…WITH THE
HEAVIER SNOW…AND A FREEZING RAIN MIX…OVER THE SOUTHERN
COUNTIES. HIGHER ACCUMULATIONS WILL BECOME MORE PREVALENT THIS
AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT AS PRECIPITATION BECOMES HEAVIER AND MORE
WIDESPREAD. ROADS WILL BECOME INCREASINGLY SLIPPERY AS MORE SNOW
AND ICE ACCUMULATES…ESPECIALLY ALONG BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES.
MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO USE EXTREME CAUTION IF TRAVEL IS NECESSARY.

MTP

Winter Storm Snow Totals

Kelton Halbert — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:15:20 +0000

Well, it is finally here, and it is beautiful outside! Currently some portions of the mid state are experiencing freezing rain/sleet, while those of us up north are getting some pretty heavy snowfall! I made the mistake of stepping outside barefoot, only to have my feet covered in slush. This means that we got a brief period of freezing rain/sleet, which then means that a lot of the ground is soon going to become ice. This will cause for very hazardous road conditions, so be careful!

Both the National Weather Service and the NAM forecast model agree that by the end of saturday Northern Middle Tennessee with have up to and over 6 inches of snow! Look over the graphics below. This first graphic is the expected snowfall today. It looks like todays total snow/ice accumulations will be up to 3 inches, with weekend totals at 6.

And this is the expected snowfall through the weekend.

Here is a radar image I took this morning. It is a Level II radar image, so it it much higher res than what is publicly used on the internet, by news media, etc. Note the areas of red on the radar; that is not snow. That area is currently experiencing freezing rain/sleet, which could be hazardous. (click to enlarge)

Middle Tennessee is still under a Winter Storm Watch, which means hazardous winter conditions are imminent and appropriate actions should be taken to protect life and property.

(from the National Weather Service)

...THE WINTER STORM IS MOVING IN...

AT 930 AM...RADAR INDICATES THAT LIGHT TO MODERATE SNOWFALL IS NOW
COVERING A LARGE PORTION OF MIDDLE TN. MUCH OF THE PRECIPITATION
OVER THE PLATEAU AREA WAS NOT YET REACHING THE GROUND. SOME SLEET
WAS MIXING IN WITH THE SNOW ACROSS SOUTHERN AREAS.

PRIOR TO NOON TODAY...LOOK FOR UP TO 1 INCH OF SNOWFALL TO
OCCUR...PRIMARILY ACROSS THE NORTHWESTERN QUARTER OF THE MID STATE...
INCLUDING THE NASHVILLE METRO AREA.

THE WINTER STORM WARNING PERIOD IS STILL SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT
NOON TODAY. THIS AFTERNOON...LOOK FOR THE PRECIPITATION TO BECOME
HEAVIER WITH ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL...SLEET AND SOME ICE
ACCUMULATION EXPECTED FOR THE ENTIRE MID STATE.

MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO DRIVE WITH EXTREME CAUTION. A TRANSITION
TO VERY TREACHEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS IS EXPECTED AS WE GO
THROUGH THE DAY. IN FACT...SOME ROADS WILL LIKELY BECOME IMPASSABLE
AS WE MOVE TOWARD THIS EVENING AND INTO TONIGHT.

POWER OUTAGES MAY ALSO BE A POTENTIAL PROBLEM TONIGHT...AS THE
WEIGHT FROM THE HEAVY SNOW CAN SNAP TREE LIMBS AND BRING DOWN
TREES  ACROSS THE AREA.

STAY TUNED TO NOAA WEATHER RADIO OR YOUR LOCAL TELEVISION STATION
FOR FUTURE UPDATES.

Enjoy your snow day everyone, and be safe! Be looking out for future posts with measured snowfall amounts, cool pictures, and more! If you have any snow pictures you would like to send in to be shown off, go to the “about us” and then the “contact us” page!