Good Thursday to one and all. We are entering a small break from winter around here… and when I say small… I mean small.
This little break is only good for a couple of days before the pattern cranks up this weekend into next week and delivers more snow chances and cold weather to the bluegrass state.
Let’s start with the weather today before we look ahead. The eastern areas will still see the chance for a few snow showers and flurries… especially early on. Central and western parts of the state will see some sunshine returning and this will boost daytime highs well into the 30s in most cases. The same can be said for Friday as our big break from winter lasts for a whopping 2 days.
A weak disturbance will move through here later Friday night and Saturday with a burst of some light snows and flurries. This does not look like a big precip maker at all. Highs this weekend should continue to run in the 30s.
It is once we get into later Sunday that we will be turning our attention to the next storm to impact the region. The models have been all over the place of late and this is something we said to be watching for. The GFS in particular has jumped around a ton with recent runs… but it has been no different than the other models. The question is do we get one low cutting through the Ohio Valley before giving way to another low off the east coast or do we get one storm riding eastward through the Tennessee Valley toward the coast? The models are still trying to figure that one out and so am I.
I continue to be a fan of the GFS Ensembles… but they have even sputtered some over the past day or so. They are getting back to showing something similar to what they had been showing a few days back…
That implies snow and ice would be a decent player across the state from Sunday through Monday. The GFS had been blasting a low into the lakes but is now on the Tennessee Valley storm idea…
Sunday Evening
Sunday Night
Just for fun.. here is what it spits out for snowfall…
PLEASE do not take that map seriously!!!! The models will continue to go back and forth with this storm for a few more days before they all settle in on a solution.
There will be some VERY cold air coming in behind whatever track this low decides to take as that should start out another well below normal temp period around here to close out February and usher in March. Yes… there will be plenty of snow chances during that time. ![]()
I will have another update this afternoon. Until then… take care.
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Thanks for all you do Chris
Thanks for the update Chris. Take care.
It looks like it is contest between the GFS & EURO. EURO believes the cut off Low in E.Canada is going to move east which would favor a liquid solution. The GFS belives it is going to stay put which would favor a fz solution. The NWS in LOU. is at this time Favors the Euro. Chris likes the GFS. I guess we will have to wait for more model runs to see which model is going to be correct. I do not think there is a middle ground this time.
Please don’t let us get all rain out of this next one 🙁
Okay guys, somebody tell me which map I’m pulling for…this one is confusing me. Do I want the one storm riding eastward through the Tennessee valley toward the coast? Or, am I gonna get all rain either way? Wxman, rolo, anybody??
Taking into account typical model trends, I expect the I 70 corridor to get the ice and everybody to the south to get plain rain which could change over to a bit of snow at the very end.
Rarely (if at all) have I seen a model show several runs of rain for the state and have the actual result be snow.
How about 2004? We had 24 inches here just north of the river, and all they were talking about was cold rain or sleet.
Yeah I still think somebody is going to see freezing rain from this.
ICE ICE BABY. Word to your mother.
Hey Wxman, so do you think my only choices are rain or freezing rain? That sure doesn’t make me happy:(
Yep. I think north of 64 could get significant ice and then some snow out of this Sunday/Monday system.
The models are waffling around, but the main area of play in this case, should be the northern areas.
In this case, a mix and rain is OK 🙂
Not making light of it though, since ice is bad- even if it misses us.
AHHH!! What’s that big bright shining thing in the sky??? Could that possibly be the SUN!!…LOL…:)
I see NWS in JKL has temps. for my area to be in the upper 40’s Saturday. High of 47* is forecasted!..Now that would be a heat wave for sure!!
My moneys on whatever Chris says.
it sounds as though it will be bad no matter what. well, there is always that chance that it misses us completely, which doesn’t look likely.
yea!! looks like nky is still in the game for a winter storm!!! with high pressure over eastern ohio the low cant just ride into the ohio valley
It will be in the 40’s across the state this weekend, we will be able to melt this snow and start seeing signs of spring. OH Yeah winter is entering its final phase of the year.
it looks like the 12z nam is trying to develop a lakes cutter MAYBE but this seems unlikely, also can anyone explain why it has two area of low pressure? one in nw arkansas and another in north texas? this isn’t possible is it?
I would not mind seeing more snow, but March is almost here so we should have some decent days scattered out between the cold. I too, am ready for some warmer weather. The first few weeks of spring is probably my favorite time of year. It’s nice to be able to get out in the yard and clean up all the winter debris. Nothing like the smell of fresh cut grass.
Did you really mean I-70, as in Columbus OH?
I can’t explain it, but don’t know why it wouldn’t be possible?
the models sure are’nt cooperating! one says south track, other says north track, one says warm/rain..other colder/snow/rain/mix… WE are getting into the time of yr..SPRING!! where changes start taking place that absolutely drive the models into mayhem, AND HUMANS AS WELL…LOL…
WOW! can you believe MARCH is just around the corner!! sure would be good to see one of those March warm spells right about now….:)
Yes it is possible, happens very often.
OK, I guess I am just dense, but I still cannot see where the models show the surface level temps.
I keep looking at all the various outputs of the models. With the GFS specifically, Im looking at the NWS site, numerical model link. Every chart that shows temps says its for the 850mb level.
Conversely, when I look at a 200mb or 250mb chart, I dont see the temp profiles.
Is there anyone who can show me what I’m missing? Thanks!
Cold, Cold, Rain! Blah! Blah! Blah!
I take it that you live in Corbin? No, I don’t think you will have freezing rain there. Looks like your surface temps. will be too warm to support freezing rain. I still think the freezing rain will be north of I 64 like I mentioned last night. We’ll see…
http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/analysis/namer/gfs/12/model_s.shtml
The very first column shows actual surface temps. The second column shows 5,000 ft. temps (850 millibars). For NAM surface (2M) temps., you’ll have to look elsewhere on the Web. Try the ARL site.
12Z GFS shows temps. near 50 degrees for southern KY on Sunday! 🙂 Won’t that be a nice change of pace if it happens!
Also..those 200 and 250 mb charts you are looking at show the jet stream. Those are beneficial for predicting patterns as well as predicting the severity of storm systems, especially in Spring and Fall.
Yeah, unless it’s 50 degrees with downpouring rain.
Thanks WxMan. It threw me off because the column heading said 10M. I knew I had to be missing something lol.
A nice rain would be welcome to clean things up, as long as there’s not flooding issues.
MELT ! BABY MELT!!!!…..:)
50*….pull out the shorts….50 will feel like 70 after being in the teens and 20’s for a week or so..
Ohio river area needs to watch out on Sunday/Monday. This includes points north of Georgetown. That is what it looks like to me- waffles and all.
This system looks like mainly ice and then heavy wet snow. How MUCH is the question.
NO ice, NO freezing rain pleeeeze! I’d even be fine with no snow. There’s still plenty on the ground. I’ve had my snow fix….but unfortunately winter is not over.
J. Bastardi is saying on his blog this morning that a low runs up through east ky.(not good if you want snow in e.ky.) then a second low forms off the coast and bombs out going either north or out to sea…So what will probably happen if this is the case. It will be a rain event to snowshowers and upslope snows once the storm reorganizes along the coast…regardless snow or rain.. Its gonna get very cold behind the storm…and even another chance at a snow deep into the heart of dixie again…
Well, IF that is the track the low decides to take, my journey to the dark side will be complete! 😉 (I am already there, since I have been sick for most of this week)
thanks, Chris. I know you will be on top of the next one, as usual! Looking forward to further updates.
Sorry to hear youv’e been “under the weather” (no pun intended), Coffeelady. Hope you feel better real soon.
Well looking at all the comments just lets me know that this one is not going to affect us, here in southern KY with anything but rain. BubbaG, I agree with you…ice is not good…no matter WHERE it shows up at! Lets hope that that part of the storm does NOT pan out for anyone!
Okay, here’s my request for the Monday/Tuesday system: Just enough rain to wash away the salt, no freezing rain, and then a nice round of snow to finish things off…then, I’m ready for Spring:)
I am so happy I finally found this site, I use to be a regular blogger on the wkyt site, its nice to see some old faces, coffeelady and bubbag and wxman I have missed yall! Chris Bailey you are the best weatherman I have miss you too!
Thanks, Sue. ITs just the creepin crud…sore throat, and full head. I sound like a frog when I talk, so I am just NOT talking.
What I probably really need, is a good old fashioned hot toddy. (At least then I wouldn’t care if I felt bad or not!) 😉
50 with some sun, that will be nice, the arctic air behind this system appears to be much weaker then first thought as well. Spring may be here within a few weeks, and I cannot wait. Summer Time all the Time.
2nd snowiest season so far on record from the NWS in JKL…
1995-96…snowiest…62.7″
2009-10…2nd…48.4″…so far
1993-94…3rd…48.3″
these records only go back to 1981..I’m sure those late 70’s winters had much more snow than that..
http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=jkl&storyid=48457&source=0
It was a nice winter for all of you snow fans. But the time draws nigh for us warm weather fans. Spring is on the horizon and while there may be one more cold snap, the earth is rotating us toward warmer weather. In 8 short weeks we will be in the middle of April, and I cant wait.
Success, Success, Success, Chris you need to fix that. I tried to post a simple comment and at last it is not to be.
This time I mostly agree with NWS http://stormtracker.yolasite.com/
http://wxcaster.com/gis-gfs-snow-overlays.php3?STATIONID=ILN
looks like main snow band is about 35-40 miles to my north. so either cold rain or freezing rain are the only options at this point. i see the low going from northern arkansas to about covington before dying out and startig a new low on the east coast. i jus twish a low would die in moussouri and re-appear in west virginia.
you obviously do not know much about ky weather, while winters can suck for snow, 40 with rain lasts until late april here, you cant swim in a pool comfortably until late june most summers. i am excited my birthsay is only 8 months away, nvm dunt matter
i can see where middlesboro area may touch 60 on monday though, it looks possible if we get the low to track into southern ohio
NEW UPDATE FROM CHRIS!