This is a great AFD discussion from the NWS in Raleigh. Fun reading!
As of 250 PM Tuesday...
Summary and Main Points:
NWP models have trended wetter over the past couple of runs, which
has boosted forecast confidence that the strong dynamic support
aloft associated with the vigorous shortwave trough will support a
quick burst of significant snowfall across central NC between 12 to
18z Wednesday, with an increasing likelihood of seeing a broad now
swath of 2 to 4 inches, with locally higher amounts of 5 to 6
possible across the interior portions of the RAH CWA. As such, have
upgraded all but the 2 most SE counties(Sampson, Wayne)to a Winter
Storm Warning. Due to the west-east difference in onset and ending
timing of precip, will segment the warning/advisories maps, with an
earlier start in the west and later ending in the east.
Details:
The well-advertised blast of Arctic air, that`s currently supporting
daytime highs in the teens and 20s across central and eastern TN, is
well on it`s way. There has been little change in the model timing
of the frontal passage through the area; between 06z-09 through the
NW Piedmont, to 12 to 15z across the southern Coastal Plain. On the
heels of this front, the high-amplitude positively-tilted trough
that currently extends from SE Canada back into the Southern Plains,
will assume a neutral tilt as it traverses the region on Wednesday,
a signal of the strengthening deep layer lift(coupled ascent from
strong s/w dynamics, vigorous jet divergence and deep layer f-gen)as
depicted by bufkit soundings that shows a classic cross-hair
signature(moderate to strong lift intersecting with the dendritic
growth zone(-10C to -18C))across central NC between 12 to 18z. As
such, expect the ana-frontal precip band to fill in and blossom
across the area during that time frame. So, it`s not a surprise to
see that models have trended wetter over the last 24 hours, with
average liquid equivalents now in the 0.20 to 0.40"range.
While we could see a brief period of rain or rain-snow mix at onset,
especially east of the US 1 where precip will move in after
daybreak, deep layer cooling will result in a quick change-over to
snow, with high snow:liquid ratios of 12:18 expected in the 3 to 6
hour window of strongest forcing, similar to the upstream ratios we
saw across Middle Tn and Central-Eastern Tn earlier this morning.
This would support a broad swath of 2 to 4 inches(0.5-1.0"/hour
rate)across interior sections of the state, with localized higher
amounts of 5 to 6 inches certainly possible given the favorable set
up for banding precip. Elsewhere, along the western and SE fringes,
1 to 3 inches are possible. Aggressive drying aloft will overwhelm
the area as early as late morning in the west to mid afternoon in
the east. This would support a brief transition of freezing drizzle
before ending, resulting in only trace ice amounts. The drying and
subsidence aloft is so strong and abrupt, that western portions of
the forecast could see sunshine by the afternoon, indeed a quick
hitting system.
Additionally, the Arctic high building in the Southern US in the
wake of this system will support very cold temperatures and wind
chills Wednesday and Wednesday night. Daytime highs will likely
occur during the early morning at most locations, with wet-bulb
cooling and CAA leading to a quick drop into the 20s by midday. NWLY
wind gusts of 15 to 20 kts will make it feel even colder, producing
wind chills in the teens and 20s.
Lows Wednesday night are expected to be in the teens, with wind
chill values approaching the single digits across much of central
NC. Given these frigid temperatures, any snow or slush on roads and
bridges/overpasses will freeze, making for treacherous road
conditions Thursday morning.