Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Taking a look at moisture in the mid levels, we can still see the counterclockwise rotation and all that loud cover left over from you know who...Northwest flow over West Virginia keeping light drizzle on tap in the lowlands this evening with snow still falling on our slopes. Temperatures overnight will hang in the low/mid 30s. So a changeover to snow is possible in spots with nightfall. Only minor accumulations of an inch or two are expected on the slopes. Also, a brief period of freezing rain is expected EARLY Thursday before things change back over to rain for much of the rest of the day Thursday.  A winter weather advisory is in effect for :RALEIGH-FAYETTE-NICHOLAS-WEBSTER-UPSHUR-POCAHONTAS-RANDOLPH COUNTIES until 11 AM Thursday morning. We'll keep overcast skies with scattered rain showers until late afternoon on Thursday. Light snow flurries will continue to fall in the high country as that low pressure finally moves off the grid. Clouds will finally begin to break Thursday evening, setting up a mainly clear & cool night. In fact, cool nights are on tap over the next few nights with lows flirting with freezing through the first half of the weekend.

When will we see the sun again? Sunshine will be on the increase from south to north on Friday. But a quick slug of moisture will bring snow flurries to the mountains and light rain across our lowlands early Friday...THEN we'll clear out in time for the weekend. You'll know you've earned it Saturday when highs reach the mid 50s under mainly sunny skies. Enjoy it. Rain returns Sunday. 

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Lows fall into the low/mid 30s overnight with some slick spots on some roadways. Still feeling the effects of Sandy as the leftovers simmer & depart Wed night/ Thursday. Snow won't be letting up in the high country tonight. Blizzard warnings still in place. Look for an additional 8-10" there & continue to watch for falling trees & branches. Towards the lowlands we'll pick up some minor accumulations of an inch or two by Wednesday morning. Scattered rain showers & mostly cloudy skies on tap for us Wednesday. Snow machine will finally shut down in the mountains Friday.

Temperatures through the rest of the week will gradually warm into the mid 40s. Mainly sunny with highs in the 50 Saturday! Lookin' at rain again Sunday.

We're not out of the woods yet people. Although conditions in Morgantown & most of our lowlands will gradually improve later today as rain mixes with/changes to snow. The rest of the state will continue to pick up steady snow today & tonight. Here is the precip gorecast through the next 48 hours. Above 3000 ft, where snow will continue to fall you can expect another 6-12 inches of snow. Remember that as a general rule, for every inch of rain it's 10 inches of snow...sometimes more! 20% of our state is without power at this time. So if you can, just hunker down & utilize your emergency supplies that you gathered pre-storm and wait this out for the next day or so. If you must venture out, do so with caution. Lots of trees are down. I expect more trees & possibly power lines to come down as more snow piles up! Stay safe & warm!

Good morning friends! Snow in the lowlands of WV will gradually melt as the day wears on. But I'm hearing the pop and crackle of tree branches outside, so be careful if you decide to head out this morning. High wind warnings have expired across Mon county. Still expecting scattered rain showers later today, tonight & Wednesday. In the higher elevations, things are messier. Lots of snow, downed trees and power lines, lots of power outages. Stay safe & warm friends! Gradual sunshine by Thursday!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Blizzard Warnings & Winter Storm Warnings added as Sandy draws near. We're still looking at the strong possibility of heavy wet snow, combined with strong gusty winds to produce a dangerous situation Monday & Tuesday. In the lowlands (below
 2000 feet) we can expect 1-6 inches of heavy wet snow. While above 3000 feet, 1-2 feet are possible! This is in addition to heavy rains & strong winds to 50-60 MPH along the ridge tops! Folks in the mountains will likely see a changeover from rain to snow sometime Sunday night into Monday morning. Again, fallen trees/branches and down power lines are a strong possibility over the coming days.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Here's a quick round up of the precipitation situation! Quick and dirty & clockwise from top right: Total precip forecast through Halloween. Bottom right: NWS snowfall forecast into Tuesday. Bottom left: Delaware Bay. Middle: Winter Storm Watch. Top left: Strong winds Monday into Tuesday. Add all these up and we get the meteorological guacamole hitting the fan! Forecast models have been trending Sandy towards landfall near Delaware Bay, say from Ocean City to Atlantic City. More than thirteen inches of precip are forecast in spots in the Mid Atlantic and Northeast states. Some of our neighboring states have already hoisted the state of emergency flag to get things moving along AHEAD of time!

Back home, we'll cool things off with scattered showers as that cold front passes Saturday into Sunday. Weekend temps will range in the 40s & 50s. But as Sandy progs up the Atlantic coast we'll see lots of moisture AND cold air wrapping around, hitting us from the north/northwest. Overall, we can expect 3-5" of total PRECIP, which could become heavy at times by Tuesday. Some of that precip will fall as wet snow, especially in the higher elevations above 2500 feet. NWS has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Pocahontas, Randolph and Webster counties for late Sunday night through Tuesday evening. Snowfall totals higher up will tally 10-14+ inches! Winds will likely be practically sustained at 25-30 MPH at times with gusts easily twice that early next week. 

Across the lowlands, we've got that Indian Summer on our side so the ground melt much of the snow. But trees and power lines will likely accumulate a whole bunch of wet snow. Plus, the winds...If I remember correctly that doesn't end well for the trees or the power lines. Let me just say 'Sandy ain't gonna do us any favors!' We'll have a couple cool days & chilly nights lined up after the clouds break. It would be nice to have some extra firewood/couches laying around to burn in the event of a power outage next week! So go out an extra pack of hot dogs and a case (or two) of beer and let's wait this one out! More tomorrow!

Check out the snowfall forecast courtesy of NWS, Charleston!

We'll squeeze out one last day of warm weather today with a high of 76°. Watch for morning sunshine then increasing afternoon clouds ahead of that cold front timed for Saturday. Scattered rain showers are likely after dark tonight. Lows fall to near 50°. Saturday we'll open the trap door & temperatures will fall into the 40s & 50s while some breezy winds mix down to the surface. This makes for a chilly, wet weekend. But we're just getting started! By Monday morning temps will have turned cold enough for a changeover to...SNOW. Although much of this wet snow is not expected to stick at first, we could be looking at SEVERAL inches of snow in our mountain counties by Tuesday. Some of the forecast models spit out 12-18" of snowfall in our highest elevations by Tuesday. 

Thursday, October 25, 2012

As problematic as hurricane force winds and storm surge are, the rainfall associated with Sandy will be even more troubling for the eastern US...NOT just coastal-but inland flooding and power outages from downed trees and power lines are expected as Sandy hugs the eastern seaboard Sunday into next week. Here is the 5-day rainfall forecast. *Note, Sandy will affect the e'rn US all through next week. This graphic only shows thru Tuesday. Plan now and pass on this info to friends and family!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

It's another tranquil night across the Mountain State with lows into the low 50s. Thursday looks good with highs reaching the low 80s in the afternoon! We'll see increasing clouds Friday ahead of the next cold front. Weekend weather will turn chilly & wet as the front swings through. We'll also see some moisture leftover from Tropical Storm Sandy, which could bring problematic precip to the eastern US. Will post more on that this evening...Don't forget to go play outside & enjoy the indian summer before it's gone!

Monday, October 22, 2012

We have a nice week of weather lined up across the Mountain State as the blazing Fall colors begin to fade. Lots of warm air will be lifting north into the eastern US ahead of a cold front, bringing daytime temperatures well above normal for much of the week. A weak disturbance will skirt our northern counties with light rain showers Tuesday into Wednesday. Otherwise high pressure will keep the forecast dry & sunny with a few passing clouds. Those afternoon highs will ease into the upper 70s/low 80s through at least Friday. But that cold front will bring rain & cooler temps with highs in the 50s & 60s by the weekend.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Friday night forecast looks partly cloudy with isolated light rain showers & lows dipping into the mid 40s. Saturday will be cool with highs only reaching the mid 50s under partly to mostly cloudy skies. An afternoon rain shower or two are possible, especially across our northern counties. But skies will clear in time for the 7 PM kickoff against KS State. We'll be left with near perfect October football weather! Sunday looks partly cloudy with highs near 60. Warmer next week...

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Starting to see some strong wind gusts out ahead of the frontal boundary. Rain showers & a few Tstorms likely later this afternoon & evening, especially in the eastern half of our state.

Another warm day is on tap with highs in the upper 60s. But here comes the cold front! We've seen some heavy rain & strong winds as this system pushes eastward across the Ohio Valley. Some weakening is expected this morning as it encounters the mountains of West Virginia. Then by lunchtime we can expect some restrengthening into this afternoon. Gusts will approach 20-30 mph at times, especially across our Potomac Highlands & the Eastern Panhandle. The Storm Prediction Center has included all points east of I-79 in their slight risk of severe weather for this afternoon & evening. Leftover rain showers will slowly wind down early Friday. Then a chilly wet weekend is in store in our northern counties.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Winds ahead of this cold front will be out of the south today, bringing temperatures into the upper 60s/70s this afternoon. Increasing clouds tonight with temps hanging near 50. Breezy & rainy Thursday as the front slides eastward. Cool with leftover showers in our northern counties into Friday. Temperatures will remain on the cool side with highs in the 50s & low 60s as we kick off the weekend.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Our Sunday forecast doesn't look too bad. Highs will reach into the upper 70s to 80°! We'll see mostly cloudy skies and some strong winds gusting to 20 MPH at times. Scattered rain showers are likely. But any thunderstorms are expected to weaken pretty quickly as they drift eastward into WV. So the winds, warmer temps and a little rain will be the main weather impacts tomorrow. Next week is shaping up nicely so far...

Here's the latest satellite image. We're sunny today with temps in the 70s. Leading edge of those clouds will prog eastward this evening, bringing breezy conditions along with rain & a rumble of thunder by Sunday. Temps will stay mild overnight with lows in the 50s. Will post more about Sunday's weather in a bit! Have a great weekend & s'go MTNEERS!!

Friday, October 12, 2012

Cold front drapes cloudy skies across northern WV today. Not much moisture aloft means we'll likely stay dry as the front moves through. Afternoon temps creep into the low 60s. Then another chilly night is in store under clear skies. Lows will teeter around freezing for much of the mtn state. Saturday still looks dry & warmer with plenty of sunshine during the day. Southerly flow will bring warmer air with highs into the 70s. Watching the next system to bring gusty winds Saturday night followed by rain & thunder Sunday.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

A revision for you: NWS has upgraded/expanded our warning for tonight. Now, nearly all of WV will be under a freeze warning (bright blue) until Thursday morning as lows fall into the 20s & 30s. At this point it's easier to tell ya which counties are NOT under a freeze warning. Basically the easternmost counties of the eastern panhandle of WV are excluded from this warning. So that's Hampshire, Hardy, eastern Mineral, Jefferson, etc. Nonetheless, it will be chilly. I recommend pants!

Here is the latest from the NWS. Navy blue=freeze watch, light blue=freeze warning from tonight through early Thursday. We'll keep it breezy today as that cold front pushes eastward across the Mid Atlantic states today & tonight. Sky will clear up overnight, allowing for a very chilly night. Dry & mild Thursday with highs near 60. Light rain returns Friday. We'll squeeze out another nice weekend with highs in the 70s!

Light rain showers will skirt mainly our northern counties today. Highs reach into the low 60s. Clear & chilly tonight with temps dipping into the upper 20s/low 30s. Frost advisories, freeze watches & warnings are in effect across much of the Mountain State. Will post more on that in a bit. Gradually warmer in time for the weekend! Have a great day!

Friday, October 5, 2012

Happy Friday! Mainly sunny today with increasing late-day clouds & a high of 77°. Scattered showers will spread eastward into the Ohio Valley & across WV tonight, carrying over into Saturday. Temps drop into the low/mid 50s overnight. Morning rain Saturday with gradual drying in the afternoon. Temps will stay in the 50s Saturday. Saturday night will be mainly clear & chilly with lows in the low/mid30s. Sunday will feature another round of morning rain showers with highs in the low/mid 50s. Overnight low on Sunday will teeter on freezing. Frost and a snowflake or two are likely in our mountain counties.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Sky conditions will be mainly clear overnight with the exception of a few passing clouds. Lows will fall into the low/mid 50s across the lowlands & 40s in some of the higher elevations. We'll see patchy fog Friday morning followed by partly cloudy skies towards mid morning. We'll stay dry with increasing clouds through much of the day Friday as highs reach the mid/upper 70s. Then that well-advertised cold front will swing in from southern Ontario to bring chilly rain & cooler temperatures Friday night into the weekend. That Friday night forecast will be a bit breezy as the leading edge of rain showers begin to push eastward across the Ohio Valley sometime around eight or nine o'clock. Showers will linger into Saturday morning & thanks to that cool Canadian air, we'll see temperatures struggling to crest in the mid 50s. Folks over in the Eastern Panhandle will enjoy temps reaching the low 60s Saturday as warmer air lingers out east. Then ANOTHER front will sweep through to bring a healthy dose of rain to the Mountain State on Sunday. A chilly night awaits Sunday night with lows falling into the mid 30s for Monday morning.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Clockwise from top left, tornado probability, damaging wind probability, latest radar, latest satellite. Periods of rain & gusty winds expected today. Any afternoon/evening storms could become severe with highest chance for severe weather along our western counties. As you can see, tornado development is not out of the question in the afternoon hours. Will need to stay alert for quickly changing weather & be ready to seek shelter indoors in the event of severe weather today!

Monday, October 1, 2012

Rain and a few thunderstorms move in from the south this afternoon/evening. Breezy & rainy overnight with lows in the mid 50s. Rain/storms carry into Tuesday with slight chance for a few severe storms, especially for our western & central counties. Rain could be heavy at times which could lead to some water problems by midweek. Southerly flow will keep warmer temps on tap this week with highs in the upper 70s & low 80s. High pressure will provide clearer skies Wednesday into Thursday. A series of weather disturbances are timed for Friday and again Saturday. Cooler air will accompany that Saturday system with highs struggling to reach 60 this coming weekend.