The next winter storm is coming and tonight we are starting to feel the impact. Most of the Sunday will be as it begins… cloudy and cold. Temperatures run about 5-10 degrees below freezing and a light wind makes it feel like the low to high teens.
The show starts tonight. A first wave of snow and ice is coming from the west. Rainfall rates will increase as we go into Monday morning where roads will start to see impact. Since there is still ice on the surface and the temperatures remain below freezing, it doesn’t take long for the snow to start accumulating. Rapid accumulation will occur even on roads, as surface temperatures remain low and below freezing. Bridges, viaducts, lanes and roadsides collect snow the fastest. Travel will be affected early Monday morning and will continue throughout the day. Ice will also have a chance to build up in the southeastern provinces, where temperatures are above freezing above the surface. The first wave will bring 1 to 3 inches of snow and about 0.10 inches of ice buildup. The impact will be felt with wave one, but greater effects will come in wave one.
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A short break in the action will take place late Monday morning and early afternoon. This rest will separate the first batch from the second wave. Wave two starts mid-afternoon on Monday and brings new snow, sleet and sleet. Heavy showers with a lot of precipitation will last all night until Tuesday morning. This second batch will provide 4 to 6 inches of additional snow for most locations, and 0.25 – 0.35 inches of ice for southeastern counties.
Travel becomes almost impossible for most areas from Monday evening and at least until Tuesday morning. Power outages are also possible. This is a system where you have to stay off the road at all costs. It’s probably wherever you are. Monday morning you will at least stay Tuesday morning. The roads covered will improve during the day on Tuesday. It will take several days for untreated roads to be restored.
When all is said and done, we look at 6 “to 8” snow with locally higher amounts possible. An inch of sleet in areas between the snow and sleet. Ice build-up between 0.10 “and 0.50” possible for eastern and southeastern provinces.
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