Wednesday, March 4th, 2015

“Mix of precipitation forecast for much of eastern, southern U.S.

A system moving across the Great Lakes will bring a mix of precipitation from the southern Plains to New England on Tuesday. Rain is forecast from TX across the Southeast and into the mid-Atlantic, with freezing rain, sleet and/or mixed precipitation from the Midwest across the Ohio Valley and Central Appalachians. Snow is forecast from the northern Plains across the Great Lakes into New England.”

Soggy Start in Kentucky

Thanks to @MaryReedRunyon1 out of Hatfield, KY for the picture below. This swollen river is on the rise this Wednesday due to recent snow melt, saturated soils and nearly 1″+ heavy rain overnight.

3.4.15 flooding

Flood Concerns Continue

A number of flood headlines continue through this evening as additional heavy rain/moisture surges northeast along a slow moving cold front within these areas.

…FLOOD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING…

THE FLOOD WATCH IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR

* THROUGH THIS EVENING…THOUGH A TRANSITION TO SNOW FROM NORTH TO

SOUTH WILL OCCUR DURING THE AFTERNOON.

* HEAVY RAINFALL OF AN ADDITIONAL INCH TO THREE INCHES ON SOILS
SATURATED FROM RECENT SNOW MELT.

* FLOODING OF LOW-LYING AND POORLY DRAINED AREAS IS LIKELY.
MINOR FLOODING ON SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS.

3.4.15 flood

 

Precipitation Outlook

According to NOAA’s HPC, the precipitation outlook through AM Friday suggests an additional 1″ to 2″+ in some of the heaviest areas from the Arklatex to parts of the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast. Heavy rain continues through the first half of the day, then a transition to freezing rain/sleet/snow is expected as colder air moves south.

3.4.15 HPC 2 day

National Weather Outlook

Take a look at the loop below and note the heavy band of precipitation from Texas to the Northeast through PM Thursday/AM Friday. Heavy rain/freezing rain/sleet/snow will make for some significant travel concerns across these areas. Interestingly, record to near record cold will set up late this week in the eastern part of the country post storm system.

Winter Weather Headlines

The National Weather Service continues a number of winter weather headlines from Colorado and Texas to parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Through the end of the week, areas of freezing rain, sleet and significant snowfall can’t be ruled out.

3.4.15 winterheads

 

Freezing Rain/Ice Potential

According to NOAA’s NDFD, the most significant icing potential with up to nearly 0.25″ – 0.35″ looks to be over parts of the south-central U.S.

(Image courtesy WeatherBell)

3.4.15 NAT ice

 

Significant Snowfall Potential 

According to NOAA’s NDFD, some of the heaviest snowfall looks to occur from parts of the Middle Mississippi Valley through the Ohio Valley and into parts of the Northeast through PM Thursday/Friday. Note that the 6″+ amount are indicated by the dark purple/pink coloring. With that said, it appears we’ll have a fairly significant swath of plowable snow within these areas!

(Image courtesy WeatherBell)

3.4.15 NE Snow

 

Cold Weather on the Way

In the wake to the storm system/cold front, temperatures will take a big hit once again. Another blob of well below average temperatures will move into the eastern half of the country through the end of the week.

3.4.15 thurs temps

 

Highs From Average Thursday

High temperatures on Thursday across much of the eastern two-thirds of the nation will be nearly -15F to -30F below average!

3.4.15 thurs below avg

 

Extended Temperature Outlook

According to NOAA’s HPC, the 8 to 14 day temperature outlook, which takes us through mid March, temperatures across much of the nation look warmer than normal! Some areas may actually be dealing with some of the warmest weather since last fall!

3.4.15 cpc 8 to 14

 

Thanks for checking in and have a great rest of your week/weekend! Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @TNelsonWX

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