Mesoscale Discussion 0075
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1059 AM CST Sun Jan 16 2022
Areas affected...Northern South Carolina...North Carolina...Southern
and Central Virginia
Concerning...Winter mixed precipitation
Valid 161659Z - 161945Z
CORRECTED FOR INCORRECT LAT/LON
SUMMARY...Heavy snowfall with rates exceeding one inch per hour will
be possible across the southern Appalachians and Virginia Piedmont
this morning from western North Carolina into southern and central
Virginia. Freezing rain or a changeover to freezing rain is expected
from parts of northern South Carolina northeastward into
southeastern Virginia.
DISCUSSION...Water vapor imagery shows an upper-level low moving
eastward across the central Gulf Coast states with divergent
mid-level flow located across southern sections of the Eastern
Seaboard. A plume of mid-level moisture is located across the
Carolinas and Virginia, where widespread precipitation is ongoing.
Temperatures are currently below freezing across much of the
southern Appalachian Mountains, where snow is being reported. A few
locations have exceeded one inch per hour snowfall rates. As
large-scale ascent spreads northeastward ahead of the upper-level
low, the potential for heavy snow should increase across parts of
western and central Virginia.
Further to the east, temperatures are also below freezing across
much of the North Carolina Piedmont. In this area, freezing rain is
being reported in many locations due to a low-level warm layer that
is forecast to spread northward into southeastern Virginia later
this morning. In response, freezing rain should continue across
parts of central North Carolina. Snow should gradually change over
to freezing rain across much of southeastern Virginia this morning.
..Broyles.. 01/16/2022