A real 'up-North' storm is headed our way
The Charlotte region is expected to get up to 8 inches of snow Saturday; Prepare for wind chills in the negatives
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Latest forecast says we’ll see 6 to 8 inches of snow tomorrow
by Steve Lyttle
Typical Carolinas winter storms usually leave newcomers from the North scratching their heads and saying, “This isn’t the kind of storm I’m used to.” But this weekend, the Carolinas will experience the kind of storm that anyone who’s spent time up North will recognize.
With very cold air in place, we’re talking about a classic — light, fluffy or granular snow; cold temperatures; and gusty winds, blowing the snow into drifts. In most of our winter storms, the ratio of rain to snow is 1:10. That is, 1 inch of rain equals 10 inches of snow. But in this colder system, the National Weather Service estimates a ratio of 1:15 or 1:17. In other words, snowfall totals will be greater.
Although computer models have backed off a bit on the “dry slot” scenario we reported yesterday (areas of dry conditions in the midst of the storm), those dry slots remain possible/likely on Saturday. So, some areas could end up with lower totals. For now, though, Charlotte is estimated to get 6 to 8 inches.
The snow will arrive overnight, as a strong upper-level low-pressure system swings southward through the Carolinas. It will continue Saturday, as a surface low-pressure system develops along the Carolinas coast. The snow is expected to end late Saturday evening.
Very cold air will follow the storm. Here’s the expected timeline:
TODAY: Increasing clouds, with a high of 43.
TONIGHT: Cloudy, with light snow arriving around 2 a.m. The snow will intensify toward daybreak. We could see 1 to 2 inches on the ground by daybreak. Low of 22.
SATURDAY: Cloudy and very cold, with a high only reaching 25. Snow will fall throughout the day, although a few locations could see breaks (those dry slots). Likely new accumulations of 2 to 4 inches. East-northeast will gust above 20 mph at times in the afternoon.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Snow ending by late evening, with another 2 to 4 inches possible. Partial clearing overnight, and very cold, with a low of 12. An east-northeast wind gusting to 20 mph will send wind chills to near -2 degrees at times.
SUNDAY: Sunny but quite cold and windy. We’ll climb a bit above freezing, at 33, so we could get a bit of melting in the afternoon. Wind chills will be in the teens.
SUNDAY NIGHT: Clear and very cold. Low of 7.
MONDAY: Sunny and cold. High near 40.
TUESDAY: A mix of sun and clouds and cold. High of 44.
WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY: This part of the forecast is uncertain. Some of the computer models are hinting at another storm system arriving, but temperature profiles are hard to pin down.
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Steve Lyttle is a longtime Charlotte-area weather writer with a passion for meteorology and delivering smart, insightful updates that aim to inform and educate. Follow his “Weather With Steve” Facebook page for daily updates on Charlotte weather.
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