2009.01.06
Caught between a flood watch and freezing rain advisory
On this morning's map of advisories and warnings from the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, it looks like Roanoke is caught in the jaws of some beast. The green to the south depicts a flood watch for the potential of 2 to 4 inches of rain in repeated waves today and tonight. The pink to the north is a freezing rain advisory, though freezing rain is very spotty even in that area. Further north in the blue is a winter weather advisory. The wedge of cold air built in pretty much as expected, with temperatures stalling a few degrees above freezing in most areas (leave me a comment if you are getting any ice at your location). Warmth and moisture will continue to surge in over the cold air all day and into the evening. Don't be surprised to see temperatures slowly rise overnight as the Gulf of Mexico surge overcomes the cold air wedge. A cold front will pass Wednesday, and a round of windy snow showers cna be expected Wednesday night and Thursday.
Cold rain is typically not a favorite of snow lovers or sun seekers, but less us all realize the blessing this rain is for our long-term drought situation.
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Down to 28F now and light rain in the Check area of Floyd Co.
Comment by Julie — January 6, 2009 @ 11:14 am
I've been watching the temps & dew points in the NRV, and they are 34/34 in Blacksburg, 37/37 in Dublin, which is down another few degrees from this morning. I saw Roanoke is reporting 36/32 and Lynchburg is showing 33/30, so it's definitely on the edge. I also looked at some other stations, and places Like Bristol, Boone and Ashville are in the mid 50's, and Winston-Salem is 39. It'll be close, but thankfully it's been warm for several days so if there is ice, hopefully the roads will stay clear. But I'm thinking we dodged a big bullet with this one.
Comment by Other John — January 6, 2009 @ 12:58 pm
Starting to see branches bending low and small ones breaking; ice is even forming on the grass. It's 29F and holding with steady rain now.
Comment by Julie — January 6, 2009 @ 1:16 pm
Hey, Julie, how much ice would you say you have received so far? Please give us another update, and please mention the time. Any lost power? I have a sister that lives in central Massachusetts, and she lost electricity from December 11 until December 18 as the result of one of the worst ice storms they have seen in many years, just when the daylight hours are practically the shortest. I am a mailman, and I noticed that Check and Copper Hill and Adney Gap areas (possibly Bent Mountain?) were getting freezing rain while we had nothing but light rain here in Roanoke Valley at 1:30 PM today.
Comment by Doug Griggs — January 6, 2009 @ 8:13 pm