Another week, another series of winter storms

Heavy snow has fallen today throughout southern West Virginia, with more than half a foot of heavy wet snow in some spots and some accumulation everywhere.

The main roads are generally in decent shape, but side roads are already problematic, and any roads that are not heavily treated are going to be very slippery tonight and tomorrow morning. Below was the view of US 19 at Glen Jean from around 7:00 p.m.

Lows will drop into the middle to upper teens, with some lower 20s in some spots.

The good news in the early part of the forecast is that we’ll get a day with some sun to help dry things out. The sun will be mixed with some clouds, but at least it will warm things up to above freezing. Highs will be in the mid to upper 30s. Lows tomorrow night will be around the freezing mark, so that there won’t be as much re-freezing and the road chemicals can be more effective. Most areas will drop into the upper 20s to the lower 30s.

The break in the weather is only temporary, however, as another storm system moves into the area. Unlike the last couple of storms, this one will pass to the north of us, bringing some warmer air into the area from the Gulf. Highs will be in the mid-40s on Wednesday. But eventually, the cold air invades the region, and the rain changes over to a mix of precipitation at first, before changing over to all snow by Thursday. Yet another storm comes into the area later in the extended forecast. By next Monday, a lot of areas will reach the half-foot mark. But there are some big differences in the atmospheric models regarding how much snow is expected. We’ll keep tracking the evolution of the next series of storms over the coming days.

As for temperatures, once the 40s are gone Wednesday night, we won’t see temperatures that warm again until the seven-day forecast period is done. There are hints, however, that it could warm up late in the long-range 8-14 day forecast.