Comments on: Snow wraps up after 1-2 inches in most locations

By: Doug Griggs in SE Georgia

Doug Griggs in SE Georgia — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 01:02:32 +0000

I noticed something about that warming trend overnight. Based on the 5 or 6 locations I looked at and read about here (thanks, Bburg Mike, for pointing that out yesterday evening), the ones that had some warming were all west of the Blue Ridge: Blacksburg, Hillsville, Fancy Gap (that village is just west of the BR) and later on Roanoke. Sam O and I (at least) both had warmer temps in the ROA valley in early morning than late evening. But I also checked on Mount Airy, NC, and it was 25 this early morning, so I doubt that it had warmed up overnight.

By: Doug Griggs in SE Georgia

Doug Griggs in SE Georgia — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 00:57:00 +0000

Angela, I heartily endorse your comment, especially the hahahaha, at 8:28 AM. I was one of the offenders, and used a word in the heat of “battle” that I should not have. I have already apologized to KM. Here is an apology for everyone else who thought I owed one for the use of that single word.

By: Kevin Myatt

Kevin Myatt — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 00:54:05 +0000

I will be posting new this evening to note the freezing rain risk in the region for Sunday night/early Monday. I want to do that now since it could pose some problems, and I will continue to be on and off the blog on Sunday.

By: Doug Griggs in SE Georgia

Doug Griggs in SE Georgia — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 00:50:29 +0000

I enjoyed reading your comment about your travel to the NW corner of PENN, Frosty. Very interesting. The mistakes we make in life are (or at least should be) the ones we remember most, and never make again. But it is best when we can learn from somebody else’s boo-boo.
You went to a much colder, snowier place, FTS. I had the exact opposite experience today. It was in the upper 20s throughout my drive through SW Virginia, and it was only 28* at the top of the huge downgrade near Fancy Gap. Got a nice surprise when I made a pit stop at the NC rest area right at the border …. 34*. I thought to myself, hey great, that is the end of the sub-freezing temps. WRONG! As soon as I got back on I-77, temp dropped right back to 32 and fell all the way to 28 and even 27 briefly near Jonesville and Elkins, NC (25 miles into NC). STAYED at 32 or lower the entire way through NC (even though it was after 9:30 and even 10 AM) until the northern outskirts of Charlotte. Finally reached 36 the last few miles in NC and Rock Hill, SC. But then the sun came out and it was 52 in Colunmbia, low 60s when I stopped for lunch in Orangeburg, SC, and 72 the last few miles in SC and throughout Georgia. I am staying in Brunswick, GA, about 35 miles north of the FLA border. So I (well, OK, MY CAR) experienced a 45* temp swing today.
Just saw a local TV (Jacksonville station) forecast for the week ahead, and I perhaps should have brought something that I left home …. shorts. High of 81 they claim for Wednesday. Guess I will play in the morning that day.

By: Brandon R.

Brandon R. — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 23:33:28 +0000

Matt brings up a good point. I also noticed that the NWS is concerned about potential flooding this week. They mentioned it in their Hazardous Weather Outlook.

http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=VAZ022&warncounty=VAC770&firewxzone=VAZ022&local_place1=&product1=Hazardous+Weather+Outlook

MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN WILL BE POSSIBLE DURING MID-WEEK NEXT WEEK IN
ADVANCE OF A STRONG COLD FRONT SLATED TO MOVE THROUGH THE REGION.
WITH SATURATED GROUND FROM RECENT RAINFALL AND SNOWFALL…AT LEAST
MINOR RIVER FLOODING CAN BE ANTICIPATED.

By: Blacksburg Mike

Blacksburg Mike — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 21:44:43 +0000

Frosty the Snowman – who would ever guess that both Blacksburg and Roanoke have recorded more snow in one day than Erie, PA? Incredible and interesting fact.

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 21:28:45 +0000

One thing we’ve been overlooking lately with all the rain/snow storms in the last two weeks is the dent they’ve put in the drought. Smith Mountain Lake is full pond or above, and a big majority of our region is out of drought now, with exception of the Allegheny Highlands. http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DM_state.htm?VA,SE

By: Frosty the Snowman

Frosty the Snowman — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 15:49:49 +0000

Work had me traveling to Erie, PA this past monday as a up and back trip in one day. Now me being the smart(raising eyebrow) person that I am pulled out my overnight bag just in case the weather was bad since they were calling for lake effect snow that day.
But then i said to myself..”Self, you know they deal with snow all the time up there and there is no way you are not going to be able to fly out of there this evening.” …..So I didn’t pack my bag.
It was snowing when I landed in Erie, but during the day it was really snowing, I mean freaking sideways all day long. The term ‘lake effect snows’ has a new meaning for me. But the coolest thing is no one is bothered by it, they drive just fine on the roads, plow the parking lots, nothing was closing down.
Kept checking my flight status online for return ROA……on time, on time, on time; co-worker(who was scheduled to stay 2 days) takes me back to airport, go in terminal, ‘FLIGHT CANCELED’;well off to the hotel I go, no overnight bag(note to self-always take overnight bag)……….I survived though especially pleased for the whole experience when the news the next day says that the 16.5 inch snowfall was the most ever recorded for a single day in Erie PA

By: John From Ruckersville

John From Ruckersville — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 14:19:55 +0000

We did get a light dusting of snow on Friday. Looks like there was a little more down near Charlottesville but that was in line with what the NOAA forecasters predicted from Thursday afternoon throughout the day yesterday. They never did post a WWA and it really wasn’t required. Not sure what the local TV mets predicted. Not sure if any of them do anything more than read the forecast off the internet anyway.

We’ve actually had a few waves of flurries push through this morning. Nothing to get worked up about but it was neat to look out the window and see them coming down. They were not forecast but goes to show what little it takes to get a few flakes flying if you have solid cold air in place and a small disturbance forms and pushes through.

By: Sammy Oakey

Sammy Oakey — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 13:52:26 +0000

For the second night out of the last three, I had that overnight warming experience too. In the Windsor Hills section of SW Roanoke City (elevation 1050), my temp went from 22 at 10 PM to 29 by 7 AM. Even though the wind picked up, it was still noticeably warmer around dawn.