A potential winter mess of ice and snow is moving through the Ohio Valley and will move into portions of the Tennessee Valley, Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Winter Storm Watches and Winter Weather Advisories have already been issued into Saturday. Travel could become difficult in some areas.
Not traveling at all is the best bet during winter weather, but if you must, make sure to prepare a kit of supplies for your vehicle! pic.twitter.com/o8oGUSltDR
— NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) January 5, 2017
Snow totals may climb above 6″ in parts of North and South Carolina and in the Texas Panhandle by Saturday. Up to 3″ is possible from Georgia into Oklahoma.
The snow will form along and behind a surface trough that will move from the Ohio Valley into the Tennessee Valley this afternoon into early Friday. Upper level energy will provide extra support for the precipitation to develop.
On Friday, the energy will slide into the Southeast and Mid Atlantic. Humidity will build in the atmosphere as moisture flows in from the Gulf of Mexico. Snow will begin to spread from the Ozark Mountains to the Smoky Mountains by Friday evening. A mix of sleet may develop at times as well.
Snow will begin to accumulate late Friday night into Saturday morning from Birmingham to Atlanta and Columbia. Snow will also spread across North Carolina. The precipitation will begin to move offshore into the Atlantic Ocean Saturday afternoon.
Roads may become slippery and snow covered as temperatures fall through the overnight. Readings will fall into the 20s from the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and Alabama through the Smokies. Ground temperatures will initially be warm, melting the falling snow. As temperatures drop further, accumulations will begin. Readings will struggle to warm on Saturday.
Local National Weather Service offices have be informing residents on social media of the threat for snow and winter travel issues. Stay tuned to WeatherNation and weathernationtv.com for updates on the winter storm. We will have live updates from the region and around the clock forecast & radar updates.
Winter Wx Update: Watch EXPANDED, latest snowfall total updated. SIGNIFICANT impacts, including travel. #alwx https://t.co/lpHLOIriRL pic.twitter.com/TWODU1E3Pe
— NWS Birmingham (@NWSBirmingham) January 5, 2017
It is time to stay weather aware! The potential for accumulating wintry weather is increasing for the weekend. Here is the latest… pic.twitter.com/yjMOxuefXu
— NWS Atlanta (@NWSAtlanta) January 4, 2017
Here's our latest thinking on the winter weather event shaping up for our area Friday night/Saturday #ncwx #scwx #gawx pic.twitter.com/fgftBrZhVY
— NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) January 5, 2017
For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Mace Michaels