Snow and Other Big Changes

The chance for snow is back in the forecast, and like most of our snowy forecasts this year, we're not looking for much, and it's going to start with some rain.

A cold front will be moving through the area tonight bringing some showers in front of it and some much colder air behind it.

Big changes are on the way with this strong cold front!  Temperatures will drop 10-20 degrees in just a few hours!

Timing is going to be very important with this system.  The moisture will arrive first to our unseasonably warm 

environment, bringing some light rain.  The cold air will be pushed in very quickly thanks to strong northwesterly winds.  However at the same time, almost just as quickly, the moisture and precipitation will be pushing out!  There will be a very small time frame when the air is cold enough and there is enough moisture in the atmosphere for us to see winter weather.

Snow totals will be minimal for most of our area because of this critical timing.  

 In the Valley we can expect a dusting to an inch.  However, many of us will wake up Friday morning without any snow at all.  This will be the case especially at lower elevations and in the eastern portions of our counties.  

The Western Slopes will have the opposite issue.  There is a chance for upslope snow showers to continue through the day Friday with up to 5 inches of accumulation total.  For these areas a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for snow accumulations, blizzard like conditions, and snow squalls.  

Aside from the snow potential, there are other big weather changes on the way.  Our beautiful Thursday will make way for a much colder and blustery Friday.  There is a Wind Advisory starting late tonight for Augusta, Rockingham, Highland, Pendleton, Grant, and Hardy counties until Friday evening.  That means we could see wind gusts in excess of 50 mph!

Be ready to bundle up on Friday, and unfortunately, there isn't much relief on the way-- the cold carries on right into the weekend!

For the latest be sure to tune into TV3 news this evening at 5,6,11 and you can always get the latest forecast on whsv.com/weather.

jknight@whsv.com