The region’s first widespread accumulating snow of the season will get underway just before sunset on Thursday.
SHORT-TERM: Occasional drips and drabs are expected through Wednesday morning. Patches of dense fog will redevelop near Lewisburg, White Sulphur Springs and Union overnight/early Wednesday. A cold front will trigger wind gusts to 30 mph between 4-8 p.m. Wednesday and the temperature will drop from about 52 degrees to the upper 30s.
SNOW FORECAST AND TIMING: The first flurries will begin around 3 p.m. Thursday, except late morning in Pocahontas County. Most of the region’s accumulation will occur between 5 p.m. Thursday and 6 a.m. Friday. During this time period, roads above 3,000 feet will become snow-covered and slippery. The snow rates will briefly overcome warm pavement temperatures along Route 19 and I-64 along and west of Sandstone Mountain Thursday night for marginal accumulation. There will likely be a handful of 2-hour school delays on Friday thanks to the slippery sidewalks and parking lots.
Snow amounts on roadways across the region will be less than 1 inch, except above 3,000 feet where 1-2 inches are likely. The central and eastern Greenbrier Valley is not expected to see any accumulation on the main thoroughfares, but secondary roads will see a light dusting. Snow amounts on grassy areas are indicated in the above graphic.
Additional snow showers are expected Friday, but the only accumulation will occur above 3,000 feet. For the remainder of the region, snow will stick at times but won’t add to the overall snow accumulation. Then on Saturday night, as warmer air pushes in, a mix of flurries and drizzle are expected, except in western Greenbrier and Pocahontas County where snow showers are likely.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Temperatures warm back to 60 degrees the week of Thanksgiving and a likely cold front comes through Thanksgiving Day with a couple of showers. A trend towards more seasonable temperatures returns for the second half of the holiday weekend.
