Snowshoe Mountain Resort

Snowshoe, WV

WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING

Currently

Temperature 28°F
Feels Like 20.39°F
Humidity 72%
Pressure 1012mb
Wind 11.99mph from the SW
Light snow 28°F Light snow
Today Chance Snow Showers
High: 42°F Low: 38°F
Saturday Rain Showers Likely
High: 54°F Low: 45°F
Sunday Chance Rain Showers
High: 56°F Low: 48°F
Monday Showers And Thunderstorms
High: 59°F Low: 52°F
Tuesday Showers And Thunderstorms
High: 59°F Low: 34°F
Summary

SYNOPSIS

... A weak system brings rain across the north and upslope snow for the mountains through this morning. Dry but windy through tonight. Several rounds of showers this weekend.

NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 646 AM Friday...

Clouds acted as a buffer for temperatures this morning, keeping areas in the northern and central lowlands a few degrees warmer than anticipated. Blended in hi-res data to the current hour to help modify afternoon temps, which are still progged to reach the mid to upper 60s in parts of the Tri-State area.

Clouds remain on track with this early morning shortwave passage, but did up to tweak the southern extent of POPs further southward. Observations around the area depict a very dry low level atmosphere with nothing reaching the surface, but this will at least account for the occasional sprinkle before activity wraps up later this morning.

Webcams show some light snow activity up at Snowshoe this morning as well as a local observer in the Elkins area who reported a sleet/mixed precipitation not too long ago. Still think a light dusting remains possible the next several hours along the mountains before drying out for the afternoon.

As of 210 AM Friday...

Key Points:

* Wind Advisory in effect through this evening for SE Randolph and both Pocahontas County zones.

* Fire concerns remain possible today for those who do not receive rain early this morning.

* Light snow accumulations possible for the highest elevations along the WV mountains today of 1 to 2 inches.

A weak shortwave propagating along a frontal boundary draped through the northern periphery of the forecast area early this morning has prompted light radar returns streaming down from the northwest. Temperature/dew point spread suggests that very little has actually reached the surface so far, with only a Trace noted at Wheeling and Morgantown so far in our nearby observation areas. Should see a slight increase in moisture/dew point values as we progress into the predawn hours, which should allow for some light accumulations in the lowlands before activity becomes more confined to the mountains.

While sprinkles/light rain will be the common precip-type in the lowlands with this weak disturbance today, sub-freezing temperatures along the mountains will promote a late March snow event. Showers wrap up quickly this afternoon as the shortwave drifts east of the Appalachians, but before doing so could allot for around an inch to an inch and a half of snow for our highest mountain zones. Otherwise, should be a dry evening as clouds diminish and we await our next disturbance encroaching on the Middle Ohio Valley late tonight into Saturday morning.

In conjunction with this disturbance, an increase in WNW winds is progged to take place today, especially along the spine of the Appalachians. Already starting to see an uptick in surface gusts at Snowshoe early this morning of around 25 mph, and should see that value increase in nature as flow along also increases. Forecast soundings today point to momentum transfer as high as 4,000ft AGL, which will allow for strong winds aloft to mix down to the surface. Generally looking at breezy wind gusts of 15 to 25 mph in the lowlands for this afternoon and evening, while the mountains could face gusts as high as 50 mph before the day is through. To add on to the previous Wind Advisory put in place for SE Randolph and NW Pocahontas County, did elect to expand into SE Pocahontas with this latest update to account for any possible downsloping that may occur today.

Temperatures today will climb up into the mid to upper 60s across the Tri-State area while our northeastern zones will stay in the 40s/50s under continued showers. Given the increasing gusty winds today and aforementioned mixing potential, could foresee RH values dropping into the upper 20s/low 30s by this afternoon, posing the concern for fire ignition and spread. A special weather statement may be needed for enhanced fire danger during daylight hours today into this evening. Overnight temperatures heading into the start of the weekend look to be in the 40s across the area tonight.

SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... As of 310 AM Friday...

Key Messages: * Chances of showers and mainly afternoon thunderstorms remain present as a system passes by on Saturday and then a front stalls over the area for the rest of the weekend. * Localized flooding could develop as showers continue in the vicinity of the front.

A low pressure system crosses to the north of the CWA on Saturday. The best potential for rain showers and thunderstorms with this system will be across southeast OH and the northern half of WV, though some models hint at more widespread precipitation coverage.

Both showers and mainly afternoon storms then remain a possibility as a cold front descends into the area Saturday night and stalls overhead for the rest of the weekend. Another system approaching from the west is projected to begin lifting the front back to the north as a warm front early in the new work week. Continued precipitation in the vicinity of the front could eventually lead to localized flooding.

LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY/... As of 310 AM Friday...

Key Points:

Key Messages: * Active pattern continues, with another system bringing potential for strong to severe storms Tuesday afternoon. * The arrival of colder air may allow rain to transition to snow along the mountains late Wednesday into Thursday. * High pressure returns for the end of the work week.

A low pressure system lifts into the Great Lakes Region during the first half of the work week. The CWA should initially reside within the warm sector of the system before the low pushes a cold front through Tuesday night into early Wednesday.

Model soundings are already suggesting conditions may be favorable for strong to severe thunderstorms to develop Tuesday afternoon and evening. In addition to moderate instability and sufficient moisture, rather strong shear is expected - courtesy of a low level jet - which could allow storms to produce damaging winds. Strong storms then remain a possibility with the passage of the cold front overnight. Localized flooding also remains a concern as some areas may already be saturated from rainfall earlier in the week.

Precipitation is expected persist behind the front Wednesday into Thursday as an upper trough continues to slide east overhead. Cold air advecting into the area behind the front should allow rain to transition to snow along the mountains by late Wednesday then snow remains the dominant precipitation type into Thursday. Meanwhile, mainly rain is expected for the lowlands.

Precipitation is expected to come to an end late Thursday into Thursday night as upper level ridging and surface high pressure begin to build for the end of the work week.

Shaver's Centre
Village
Boathouse
Basin