Update on the Weekend’s Snow
February 11th, 2012 at 9:09 am by Jeff Edmondson WAVY under Weather
Well the storm is basically here, during the day today we should have scattered showers across Hampton Roads. Temperatures are still going to be mild today with a high near 50 degrees. But don’t get too comfortable we have a strong cold front moving through this afternoon.
Incoming Cold Front
Ahead of the front, scattered showers, behind the cold front snow. Now during the day, in West Virginia, they could see 6-10 inches of snow. This moisture is going to move in to our area this evening, but a lot of it will have already dropped as snow west of us. Below is a look at the 6Z Future Trak model:
Mixed Precip Tonight
You can see the cold front! The transition from rain to snow happening tonight after sunset. The band of snow is expected to stretch along the Peninsula and the Northern Neck all the way through Virginia Beach.
Tonight
Now you notice how this band misses the eastern shore? It has been doing this for the past few runs of the model. Other computer models have this band over the eastern shore which is where I believe we will see the highest totals:
Snow Totals
Most of the snow will melt on contact, but then begin to accumulate on the grassy surfaces. We could see a light dusting on the less traveled roads once the temperatures drop tonight, but keep in mind the wind will be very strong and gusts will be up to 30mph. It will feel like it will be in the teens with that wind chill factor.
On Sunday we will see the return of the sun which will melt down the majority of any snow that accumulates, but the temperatures will only be in the upper 30s for highs.
Enjoy your Saturday!
Meteorologist Jeff Edmondson
Jeff Edmondson is the Meteorologist for the Weekend Morning Newscasts on WAVY TV.
WHEN can we expect a decent amount of snow? or can we?
Probably not from this system, but there may be a few pockets of heavier snow. The big snows come from the big lows that sit offshore or the ones that move up the coast. This is mostly from an upper level system tonight.
Good Afternoon,
Im just wondering if the forecast is still intact and accurate? From the radar it seems the system is pulling away and the artic front is still not here. Im in Onancock, VA. Will there still be enough moisture around to give us snow tonight? Are we still looking at getting a dusting to 1 inch?
Hi Mark. I think generally things are still on track. You are right that the low is pushing away, but that was expected. Our snow is pegged to come from the upper level trough swinging through tonight with that cold surge (pretty much a cold front). The models are still pushing for that2nd slug of moisture after midnight. Your accumulating snow really hinges off of that. Since the models are still consistent, I would say we are holding the course. An inch is possible. 2 has been mentioned, but that is up to the moisture after midnight. Mike will be in tonight with the update. Jeremy W.
Thanks Jeremy. I totally forgot about the upper level trough. I was so stuck on the low that I wasn’t thinking about the second part of this. Kind of surprised though about the lack of rain last night. Anyways thanks for the update and hopefully we do get a inch. Just wish it could have happened during the day so the kids could have seen it. Not gonna happen though with the late push of snow happening after midnight lol. Take care.
That was easily the coolest weather moment that I have ever experienced. I went out in my yard here in Gloucester as the front came through. I could hear strong winds that sounded a mile or two away and then all of a sudden saw heavy snow come blowing over my neighbor’s house. The next thing I knew, I was in the middle of a blizzard! I could not believe how fast the snow covered the ground! It seemed like it was 30 seconds after it started!
It’ 5:45 p.m. Saturday,Hampton. We heard thunder, saw lightning and within 5 minutes SNOW has coverd the grounds, roofs, cars. CRAZY Event. It was as if the thunder shook the snow clouds. Visibility was literally zero for those few minutes when the snow fell so quickly. QUESTION: is this the same forecast or have things changed. It’s still snowing and accumulatig here in Hampton. We’re just a couple miles from the Hampton Roads Tunnel. QUESTION: are we now expecting MORE than the earlier predicted dusting ? thanks.