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Weather Journal

with Kevin Myatt

Some needed rain, then much colder

Posted Dec27, 2007 at 05:25 PM

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A series of storm systems over the next few days will do two things: (1) Bring widespread rain to the Southeast and mid-Atlantic states, areas that desperately need the rain, and (2) usher a sharp but brief period of cold weather to start 2007. This 5-day rainfall forecast map from the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center shows widespread amounts over 1 inch in our area with more than 3 inches in some of the most parched areas of Georgia. (Click here for latest drought severity map). The question here is whether some of this moisture will meet a sharp plunge of Arctic air late in the weekend or early next week for wintry precipitation. Some snow showers are likely to occur early in the coming week, but it will take a low moving through the Southeast around Monday pulling in some moisture into the newly established cold air to wring out significant ice or snow for us. From here, it looks like the moisture will slip just south of us as cold, dry high pressure builds in for a few days, but it is a close call.

Long term, this map from the Climate Prediction Center shows lots of red over much of the country, indicating the expectation of above-normal temperatures. For all the snow lovers, it looks like it will be difficult in the coming few weeks to match the fast-moving storm systems with the quick shots of cold air.

Comments

# 1

[December 29, 2007 9:53 AM]

Melinda Berkley-Coats

Earliest ever! A week ago, my daffodils, crocuses, and hyacinths were up -- I panicked two years ago when they came up late in January here in Christiansburg, but mid-December?!

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Kevin Myatt works on the copy desk for The Roanoke Times and is its principal weather geek, writing a weekly weather column and advising the newsroom on weather topics. He helps guide students on a storm chasing trip to the central U.S. each May and was an editor for "Hurricanes and the Middle Atlantic States."

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