Good morning everyone!
The calm before the storm this early morning. Skies are cloudy with temperatures ranging from 34 in Clifton down to 28 at High Point. Winds are calm or light northeasterly. The air quality is good with an index of 28.
CLIFTON’S ALMANAC FOR FEBRUARY 22ND:
AVERAGE HIGH: 41 AVERAGE LOW: 26
RECORD HIGH: 71 – 1997 RECORD LOW: 12 – 1988
YESTERDAY’S HIGH: 50 LOW: 33 PRECIPITATION: NONE
A severe blizzard will crush the area as a rapidly developing storm will be moving up the coast today. During the daylight hours we will have just mainly light snow possibly mixed with rain developing after sunrise and accumulating 1-3 inches by sunset tonight. Tonight through around noon on Monday we will have very heavy snow with strong gusty winds that will cause blizzard conditions. Possible accumulation will range from 16-24 inches with some higher amounts in some of the heavy snow bands where snowfall amounts could be between 2-3 inches per hour. Also there is a chance of thundersnow.
The snow will taper off to snow showers Monday afternoon with slowly diminishing winds at night.
Tuesday will be a dry and sunny day but cold with highs only in the low 30s.
Milder Wednesday through next weekend with chances of rain beginning as snow on Wednesday with still a chance of rain on Thursday.
Next weekend looks dry and mild. Our snow pack from this blizzard should not hang around as long as our last storm did, as we will have a stronger sun angle along with the milder temperatures.
THE FORECAST:
TODAY – FEB 22 – Snow possibly mixed with rain this morning then snow this afternoon, highs in the upper 30s, Accumulations by sunset will average 1-3 inches.
TONIGHT – Snow heavy at times with blowing snow, possible whiteout conditions, lows in the upper 20s. Wind gusts to 45 mph.
MONDAY – FEB 23 – Heavy snow with possible whiteout conditions in the morning then tapering off to snow showers in the afternoon, highs in the upper 30s. Wind gusts to 45 mph. Total accumulations of 16-24 inches with higher amounts possible.
TUESDAY – FEB 24 – Sunny and breezy, highs in the low 30s, wind gusts to 25 mph.
WEDNESDAY – FEB 25 – Mostly cloudy and milder with a chance of snow or rain in the morning then a chance of rain in the afternoon, highs in the low 40s.
THURSDAY – FEB 26 – Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain, highs in the low 40s.
FRIDAY – FEB 27 – Mostly sunny, highs in the low 40s.
SATURDAY – FEB 28 – Mostly sunny, highs in the upper 40s.
MARINE FORECAST: A storm warning will be in effect until 6 p.m. Monday evening for northerly winds gusting to 60 knots, seas 12-17 feet.
OUTLOOK: Small craft advisories expected during the day on Tuesday; no advisories expected for Tuesday night; possible advisories for Wednesday and Thursday!
Please stay safe!