Mesoscale Discussion 0072
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0302 AM CST Sun Jan 16 2022
Areas affected...Southern Appalachians...North Carolina and Virginia
Piedmont
Concerning...Heavy snow
Valid 160902Z - 161500Z
SUMMARY...Snowfall rates exceeding one inch per hour will be
possible across parts of the southern Appalachian Mountains this
morning.
DISCUSSION...The latest water vapor-imagery shows an upper-level low
moving eastward across the lower Mississippi Valley. Ahead of the
low, mid-level moisture is streaming northeastward across Tennessee,
Georgia and the Carolinas, where widespread precipitation is
ongoing. Surface temperatures within the area of precipitation are
mostly above freezing. The exception is along the northern edge of
the precipitation from northern South Carolina into western North
Carolina where surface temperatures have dropped to near or just
below freezing. In response, precipitation has changed over to snow
across much of the southern Appalachians, especially from the
Appalachian crest eastward. As the upper-level low moves eastward
across the central Gulf Coast states, large-scale ascent will
increase across the southern Appalachians. In response, bands of
heavy snowfall will likely develop. Snowfall rates could exceed one
inch per hour from far northeast Georgia into the western Carolinas
and far eastern Tennessee. Later this morning, heavy snow will also
be possible in western Virginia.
..Broyles/Edwards.. 01/16/2022