WOAY-TV (Oak Hill, WV): Temperatures are starting to take the plunge back to the Arctic today with highs in the low 30s and wind chills ranging from single digits to the low twenties over the day. Skies will remain mostly cloudy with some peeks of sun possible. Things will cool down once again overnight and into tomorrow morning. However, today is the least of our concerns here in the office. A significant winter storm will come through with snow, sleet, and now ice. Today will be the last day to prepare for potential impacts. These include heavy snow, potentially damaging amounts of ice, and very cold temperatures. Power outages are becoming likely in the southern coalfields if the warm nose comes to fruition. This is not alarmism, despite what some may think. Meteorologist Christian Boteler has the details:
The storm starts late in the afternoon tomorrow, beginning as widespread snow. This snow will be significant across most of the region, with a minimum of 5 inches for most. It will be fluffy snow due to the brutal cold. Our highest snow amounts will be in the Greenbrier Valley and the high country, with a foot or more possible. The northern half of the region will likely stay in the 8-12″ range while others are stuck in the 5-8″ range. The southern coalfields are likely to get shafted a bit, with most in the 3-5″ range and some just leaking into the 5-8″ range. Snow will stick to the roads and other surfaces, making for dangerous travel. Avoid travelling tomorrow afternoon and through the weekend unless absolutely necessary. Here’s a look at the snow forecast:
The switch from snow to sleet and ice will occur early in the morning on Sunday. The southern coalfields will be the first to experience this change. This change will be caused by warm air developing in the upper atmosphere, which will make things much more complex this weekend. Between a quarter and a half of an inch of ice is likely for the southern coalfields, which may cause widespread power outages. This region of warm air, which we will call the “warm nose” of the storm, is likely to expand into the region as the day continues. Most of the region may see a wintery mix of snow, sleet, and ice by the afternoon. While most of us will see a glaze of ice, the ridges and higher elevations could see ice between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. There could be some power issues with these totals, but they will be most likely in the southern coalfields. Here’s the ice forecast:
Many are preparing for this storm already, but here are some tips for those who are still getting things together:
- Panic buying will not help! Buy a week’s supply of non-perishable foods if you want to be safe. You don’t need 10 gallons of milk, I promise. Some good ideas include canned foods, peanut butter, dried food, crackers, and more.
- Make sure to get plenty of water, first-aid, medications, baby and pet supplies, and any other essential supplies.
- Gather all blankets and other warm layers so you can easily access them this weekend. If ice does get to that quarter inch mark, power outages become possible.
- Keep cabinets open and faucets dripping through this weekend and into next week as temperatures continue to be brutally cold for a long stretch of time. Know where your water main shutoff is in case the pipes do freeze.
- Charge all devices before this weekend! Also have flashlights and radios ready just in case. Better to be prepared and it bust than not be prepared and it overperform.
- Leave snow outside until the end of the storm. Getting sleet and ice up from the ground and other surfaces will be easier with the snow as a base. Be sure to take breaks when shoveling.
The storm will finally end after some lingering snow leaves on Monday. While the snow and ice ends, the cold will not. Temperatures will be in the teens and twenties during the afternoon and drop into single digits and possibly negative values at night in some places. A weak group of snow showers will pop in on Wednesday, but it will pal in comparison to this weekend. Here’s your 7-Day Forecast:
