With the exception of a few sprinkles of rain late Friday night, we're look for a dry and sunny weekend. No doubt, March will come in like a lamb with high pressure dominating our weather. The "lamb-like" weather won't last through next week though. I have more in today's morning video blog...
Friday, February 29, 2008
Drought Update
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Latest on the Mountain Snow and A Look Ahead to Our Next Rain Chance
Mountain Snow Update
- Mt. Leconte, TN: 17"
- Robbinsville: 16"
- Newfound Gap: 12"
- Beech Mountain: 8"
- Haywood County (17 miles NE of Waynesville): 7"
- Boone: 3.5"
- Maggie Valley: 3"
- Weaverville: 3"
- Asheville: 0.8"
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Afternoon Update!
Wednesday Morning Video Update
I have more images of the mountain snow in today's video blog update posted below...
For links to webcams around the mountains and a look at yesterday's rains, check out the blog entries posted below.
Snow in the Mountains.... Watching for a Flurry Here
There's a picture from Mt. Mitchell early this morning. Snow has been falling in most mountain locations since late last night and will continue through today. The western slopes of the higher elevations may see as much as 10" when all is said in done.
Some of those snow bands may make it just over the mountains. As a disturbance works across central North Carolina around midday, we'll see a period of cloudy skies and a few spots in our area may see an isolated flurry. That's a small chance though. If you see a flurry today, you can let us know. E-mail us your report and pictures to weather@news14.com.
For you real snow lovers who really want to see some snow, you can watch the snowfall in the mountains from your computer desktop -- http://www.highcountrywebcams.com/ has webcam views from around the mountains.
Tuesday's Rain
- RDU Airport: 0.47"
- NCSU - Raleigh: 0.47"
- Lumberton: 0.42"
- Chapel Hill: 0.39"
- Clayton: 0.34"
- Rocky Mount-Wilson: 0.34"
- Fayetteville: 0.30"
- Goldsboro: 0.26"
As of Wednesday morning, the February rainfall deficit at RDU is only 0.05" and the 2008 deficit now stands at 2.81". Since January 2007, we are 10.05" behind the normal rainfall. A few flurries are possible in some spots today and there's a slight chance for a sprinkle or light shower Friday night. However, our next chance for measurable rainfall will come late Monday and Tuesday.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Showers and Storms for Tuesday
Showers and thunderstorms are expected through the day today. A few storms may become strong with gusty winds and frequent lightning. On average, we expect about a half of an inch of rain today. However, locations that see thunderstorms (especially for areas just south and east of Raleigh) up to an inch of rain is possible.
Here's a more in-depth look at today's shower and storm chance in our morning video blog update.
Meteorologist Joshua McKinney will be in the Weather on the Ones Forecast Center through the midday and afternoon hours to keep you updated on any storms that develop across our area. You'll find the very latest weather information every 10 minutes with Weather on the Ones only on News 14 Carolina. If storms occur in your neighborhood, you can send your storm reports and weather pictures anytime to weather@news14.com.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Looking for Rain
A few sprinkles of rain fell across our area Sunday afternoon and again very early Monday morning, but the rain did not add up to much --
- Henderson-Oxford: 0.09"
- Chapel Hill: 0.05"
- Louisburg: 0.04"
- Raleigh-Durham: 0.04"
- Wilson: Trace
Our next chance for rain coming up Tuesday does look to bring us a little more rain. We should see between 0.25" and 0.5" across our area as a cold front crosses the state. The best chance for rain will come during the afternoon hours when a few thunderstorms will be possible. Locations south and east of Raleigh will stand a little better chance of hearing the thunder, and that's the area that may see slightly more rain.
The rain should taper off late Tuesday afternoon and evening. Then we look for a big cool down behind the front. Lows will drop into the low to mid 20s on Thursday morning, which should be the coldest of the week. We may even have some upper teens that morning!
This morning's video blog posted below has more...
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Presidents Day Storm Review; Calm Start for this Next Week
This weekend was far quiter...lets go to today's summary and talk about the start of this next work week.
A system developing over the midwest looks to bring another wintry punch by Tuesday to central Iowa and northern Illinois. If you have travel plans north of Virginia for midweek, call ahead as it could be messy!
Before the showers though, we have a mild start for the work week! High pressure which had some cooler air for us today will migrate eastward Monday which will steer in some warming southerly winds. highs monday are expected to reach 60 and even climb into the lower to middle 60s for Tuesday.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Cloudy Start for the Weekend
Friday, February 22, 2008
A cold and Rainy End to the Work Week
What a chilly, damp start to our Friday! Moisture from the south moved in over prevailing cold dry air, which caused some areas to have a mix or freezing rain into Friday morning. If any accumulation occurred (and some reports were for a little ice in trees , we'll pass along any other reports as we get them, please feel free to send in yours to weather@news14.com) it happened on elevated surfaces since our ground temperatures were in the 40s.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Interesting Weather Week
Cold and dry air has moved into North Carolina today. In fact, the dewpoint at 11am this morning is sitting at 11 degrees at RDU. That is very dry and one key factor in the forecast for late tonight and early tomorrow morning. The air is currently drier than most model predictions. As warm, moist air from the storm system developing along the Gulf coast overruns the cold, dry air in place more evaporative cooling will take place that what is forecast by the latest computer models.
Late this afternoon, you may begin to see what appears to be precipitation on radar over North Carolina. Most of that will not be reaching the ground because of how dry the air is. That precipitation aloft well be evaporating before it hits that ground. Through the evening, that evaporation process will help to cool the temperature even further. That should eventually bring the temperature to near freezing around Raleigh and points to the north and west by late tonight.
As of this posting, it appears the precipitation will begin across the Triangle between 9pm and 11pm tonight. Look for a wintry mix around Raleigh and to the north and west. Some snow and sleet are possible before changing over to freezing rain. South and east of Raleigh should see all rain. The freezing rain should change over to just a cold rain across the Triangle through the overnight and early mornings hours. By the morning rush hour on Friday, most of the Triangle should just see a cold rain with temperatures between 33 and 35. Some locations from Hillsborough to Oxford and points toward Greensboro may still have freezing rain into the rush hour.
According to information from the Raleigh National Weather Service Office from earlier today, ground temperatures across our area are running around 40-45 degrees. Any light glazing from the brief round of freezing rain will be confined to elevated surfaces. A few slick spots may form on bridges and overpasses. Slighty higher ice accumulations to a tenth of an inch are possible around the Triad (Greensboro-Winston-Salem).
With all that said, if you have followed winter weather in North Carolina for any length of time, you know there can be surprises. We'll be closely watching for any changes through the afternoon and evening. Stay with News 14 Carolina for the most up to date information every 10 minutes with Weather on the Ones. Our forecast center will be staffed around the clock to provide you with the latest information.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Wintry Weather for Thursday Night/Friday Morning?
A cold front will move through North Carolina today ushering in colder air leading to a big cool down for Thursday. Tomorrow's high temperatures should be about 20 degrees colder than today. With cold air in place over the Carolinas Thursday, our attention will turn to a developing storm system along the Gulf coast. That system will push additional moisture into our area overunning the cold, dry air that will already be in place. That sets up a weather pattern we refer to as a "cold air wedge" over the central Carolinas.
With precipitation falling into that "cold air wedge" beginning Thursday evening, there is the chance for some wintry precipitation. That may begin as a quick burst of snow before quickly changing to a sleet and freezing rain mixture mainly from Raleigh to the north and west. Ground temperatures are warm enough and the precipitation should be very light that little to no accumulation is expected at first. Some elevated surfaces including bridges and overpasses may see a light glazing late Thursday night and Friday morning. Again, this looks to mainly happen on the northwest side of the Triangle and points to the west.
The wintry mix should fairly quickly become just a cold rain for Friday around Raleigh. This changeover may take a while the closer you get to the Triad (Greensboro and Winston-Salem).
As with any winter weather system in this part of North Carolina, the forecast is very tricky. We'll continue to fine tune the forecast as new information comes in. Stay tuned to Weather on the Ones on News 14 Carolina for updates.
For an in-depth look at today's forecast, check out our video blog.
If you like our new video blog, you'll find it updated a couple times a day on our weather page at news14.com.
Lunar Eclipse Tonight
Red Flag Warning
A cold front that we call a "clipper" will move through the state later today. Ahead of that clipper, winds will be from the southwest at 15-25mph with gusts up to 35 or 40mph. Combine the windy weather with low humidities and already dry conditions, and any fires could spread rapidly. No outdoor burning today!
We do have a chance for some precipitation by the end of the week. This should be mostly a cold rain for us on Friday. However, the onset of the precipitation Thursday evening and Thursday night could start as a wintry mix or freezing rain in some areas especially north and west of Raleigh. We continue to follow the latest weather data coming in for the forecast Thursday night and early Friday. Stay tuned for updates...
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Early Monday Storms
Tornado warnings were also issued for Robeson, Sampson, and Wayne Counties but there were no reports of tornado touchdowns in those areas. Half dollar size hail was reported in Wayne County. There was also reports of hail and some wind damage in Sampson County.
The heaviest rains with Monday's storms also fell in the eastern part of the state. Here's a look at rain from around our region --
- Raleigh-Durham Aiport: 0.29"
- Chapel Hill: 0.34"
- Raleigh (NCSU Centennial Campus): 0.47"
- Rocky Mount-Wilson: 0.53"
- Goldsboro: 1.06"
- Fayetteville: 1.26"
- Lumberton: 2.29"
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Rain chances for the end of the weekend and later next week
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Nice weekend, no matter if you like sun or rain
Our chance for some much needed rain falls with this system which is over Texas for the start of the weekend. Its making a beeline for the Great Lakes region but will still bring a warm front across the Southeast early Sunday.
With the passage of the warm front will come some widely scattered showers Sunday afternoon. There's a possibility that we could see a wide range of temperatures, with 50s in the triangle region, cooler to the north and west, and the possibility for sandhills communities to see upper 60s.
Our best chance for rain will come later Sunday with the cold front. A slight risk for strong to severe storms accompanies this front late Sunday night into Monday morning. The best location for these strong to severe storms is eastward from a line that extends southward from Henderson through Cary to Rockingham (eastward of highway 1).
Stay tuned to News 14 Carolina for updates if we have any breaking weather with the passage of the front. You can also get your weather anytime at news14.com. Thanks for stopping by.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Mild end of the week, chance of storms Sunday
Clouds will increase this evening ahead of an approaching cold front which will pass over the state overnight with barely a sprinkle. Lows will be near 40.
Saturday is back to the 50s as high pressure, this time to our north, swings in some easterly winds and taps into a cooler airmass.
Sunday is our chance for measurable rain as a storm system from the four corners region of the Southwest US makes a beeline from Texas to Michigan and intensifies to a pretty decent storm. What that means for us is an increase in southerly winds, more moisture and warmer weather once again.
We're looking Sunday for cloudy skies, highs near 60 with developing showers and even a chance for t-storms, some of which could be strong to severe especially along and east of highway 1 (meaning a line from Henderson southward through Cary, continuing south through Sanford to Rockingham , then proceeding east from that for our area of concern). We'll continue to monitor that for you and keep you updated. Monday will have falling temps after early highs in the upper 50s.
Have a great Friday!
Pati Darak,
Weather on the Ones Meteorologist
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Triad Snow
... and this one from a News 14 Carolina viewer in Winston-Salem --
While snow flurries were in the forecast around the Triangle and Triad for late Wednesday evening, the Triad woke up to more of a surprise Thursday morning. Greensboro and Burlington reported as much as 2.5" of snow and 2.0" was reported in Winston-Salem. The snow won't last for too long today though with afternoon temperatures reaching the 50s.
E-mail your weather photos anytime to weather@news14.com.
Snow!
A few snow showers fell across the Triangle late Wednesday night into early Thursday morning. Most spots around the Triangle only saw a trace of snow but there were some light accumulations reported north and west of Raleigh. The above pictures were taken by Bonnie
More snow fell toward the Triad. The above photo is from a News 14 Carolina viewer in Stokes County.
If you have any weather photos to share with us, please send them to weather@news14.com!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Big Temperature Contrast!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Rain for Late Tuesday and Wednesday
The latest computer models have different answers to exactly what spots will see the most rain making it difficult to say exactly how much rain we expect. One model that we show you each day on Weather on the Ones that we have named "StormCast" is very optimistic for the deep Gulf moisture to move into the central Carolinas tonight. StormCast produces heavy rains and even some thunderstorms in our region around daybreak Wednesday. Other models take that deep Gulf moisture along the coast keeping the heaviest rain totals to our east.
Whichever area picks up the heavist rain, whether it be central North Carolina or coastal North Carolina, likely will see over an inch of rain. If that falls along the coast, we may see less than a half of an inch here. We'll continue to follow the latest weather data and have updates with Weather on the Ones on News 14 Carolina.
If you're looking for more rain after Wednesday, rain is still in the forecast for the upcoming weekend. However, it appears that chance will come on Sunday now.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Windy Sunday!
Here are some peak wind gusts in the area on Sunday afternoon:
- Burlington: 56mph
- Greensboro: 53mph
- Henderson: 53mph
- Rocky Mount: 53mph
- Raleigh: 47mph
- Chapel Hill: 47mph
- Smithfield: 39mph
- Pope AFB: 39mph
- Fayetteville: 37mph
Red Flag Warning Sunday, Cooler Weather for Monday
Sunday's cold front is the leading edge of some pretty chilly air. Under clear skies tonight, our lows will be able to drop into the mid 20s. Winds will also diminish to lower speeds so once we get up and head out tomorrow morning, wind chill will be less of a factor.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
No Rain, higher winds bring fire danger to NC
This is Sunday's surface map. A second cold front will come across our state for the second half of the weekend. We are expecting higher winds Sunday (sustained winds from the west of about 15-25 mph with gusts that could reach about 40 mph) and that in combination with very low relative humidities and dry leaves, timber and other debris on the ground which will increase our fire danger threat even more. As of this posting, the National Weather Service has posted a Fire Weather Watch for Sunday for high wildfire threat.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Tornado Outbreak
- Storm survey information from National Weather Service - Memphis
- Damage photos from National Weather Service - Memphis
- Nashville Doppler radar during tornado outbreak
- Storm survey information from National Weather Service - Nashville
- Damage photos from National Weather Service - Nashville
- Storm summary from National Weather Service - Little Rock
- List of all storm reports from the National Weather Service on February 5