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February 19-20 Major Winter Storm Threat


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In a year that actually featured winter weather for the entire forum, it seems fitting that we finally buck the trend of early spring in February, with a major winter storm showing up midweek. The pattern is ripe for winter weather and models have been unusually locked in on a storm threat for the last 10 days. The storm has a very cold airmass to work with to the north but as always, track, timing, strength and depth of cold air will be critical to determining who gets what and how much. As we inch closer to “go time” it is becoming apparent this will likely be a high end storm for parts of the east coast, and it will be a mixed bag for NC/SC and possibly even north Georgia. Lots to iron out over the next few days but there is potential for high amounts of snow and ice over parts of the forum. Let’s get this thing rocking!

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14 minutes ago, tarheelwx said:

Looks like 2002 had the primary going into TN before transferring.  I’m not seeing that for this coming week.  What am I missing?  I see this as more of a Miller A   
TW

 

That’s the point. 2002 was Miller B/quite different. Miller A (upcoming storm) typically not as associated with major ice. But model consensus still shows a lot of ZR. Maybe that will change.

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I said this yesterday and I’ll stand by it but if this phases sooner (assuming same track) and a deform band forms I really think a lot of the western piedmont will flip to snow. That probably won’t be reflected on models until we get closer but with models seemingly ticking colder, at the surface I’d have to think 925s will too and dynamics may be able to overcome the 850 torch. Sadly colder lower levels don’t mean a fat warm nose can’t still exist but this looks to be a dynamic storm that can overcome a moderate warm nose with rates. Some of the soundings in the upstate and foothills show a thick warm nose but it isn’t much more than +1 which might be workable with small changes

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7 minutes ago, GaWx said:

That’s the point. 2002 was Miller B/quite different. Miller A (upcoming storm) typically not as associated with major ice. But model consensus still shows a lot of ZR. Maybe that will change.

I’m still highly skeptical of a large ZR area. It seems extremely likely someone will get a crippling ice storm given the unusual cold north of us and strong low level CAA but these miller As almost always trend to a narrower ZR area and more sleet. Also, the cold is deep and entrenched over Va and the high is building in as the storm moves in. Seems like a recipe for more sleet as the storm goes on and flip to snow if a deform band sets up…

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1 minute ago, NorthHillsWx said:

I said this yesterday and I’ll stand by it but if this phases sooner (assuming same track) and a deform band forms I really think a lot of the western piedmont will flip to snow. That probably won’t be reflected on models until we get closer but with models seemingly ticking colder, at the surface I’d have to think 925s will too and dynamics may be able to overcome the 850 torch. Sadly colder lower levels don’t mean a fat warm nose can’t still exist but this looks to be a dynamic storm that can overcome a moderate warm nose with rates. Some of the soundings in the upstate and foothills show a thick warm nose but it isn’t much more than +1 which might be workable with small changes

I’ve found based on analysis of 850s for SE winter storms going back many decades that +1 to +2 850s tend to be sweet spot for sleet and +3 to +5+ tends to be sweet spot for ZR.

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15 minutes ago, StantonParkHoya said:

Total disaster 

That (12Z Icon) could mean ~0.7” of ice accretion on trees in RDU, a huge problem that would be similar to 2002. It takes only 0.5” of accretion for widespread power outages:

IMG_2972.webp.224494238a4f770d35dfef0b2b0e8bbb.webp

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