NWS Special Weather Statement (Alleghany County)

Current Conditions
Sparta

Temp: 16.2°F

Forecast Last Updated at Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 7:01AM

Cold; A Little Ice Late Tonight

Our weather pattern is in transition out of bitter cold, but as is often the case, it's going to be a bumpy process. Today is partly to mostly cloudy with temperatures continuing pretty cold for the last day of February. Tonight, moisture overrides this cold air from the south. Late tonight into early Sunday morning, light precipitation develops in the form of light freezing rain. It will change to light rain early Sunday morning, with areas right along the Blue Ridge being the last to transition. Sunday is cloudy and a bit milder with spotty light rain, until mid- afternoon. Another round of light, spotty rain arrives late Sunday night into Monday morning.

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Saturday Hi: 32 Lo: 24 Partly to mostly cloudy; Still cold; Light freezing rain possible late tonight; SE wind 5-10 mph

Sunday Hi: 43 Lo: 38 Cloudy; Early light freezing rain, changing to spotty light rain in the AM; Light South wind (except SW 20-30 mph at higher elev's), becoming NW 10-20 mph Sun. night

Monday Hi: 43 Lo: 28 Generally cloudy; Spotty light AM rain; NW 10-20 mph, AM gusts to 45 mph, becoming light Mon. night

Tuesday Hi: 41 Lo: 40 Cloudy; Spotty light rain, possibly beginning as brief freezing rain; Warming temperatures overnight

Wednesday Hi: 61 Lo: 33 Cloudy; Mild day; Afternoon & nighttime rain; Turning colder late Wed. night

Further Out

Thursday - Mostly cloudy; Turning colder; Early rain changing to show showers; High in the mid 30s; Low in the upper teens
Friday - Decreasing clouds; Cold for March; High in the upper 30s; Low in the mid 20s

Forecast Discussion

The center of arctic high pressure is moving east today and will be over New Jersey by late today. Skies today will be partly to mostly cloudy with cold temperatures continuing. Tonight, moisture and milder air will override the cold air in place near the surface producing a brief period of light freezing rain late tonight into early Sunday morning.

Light freezing rain will transition to just spotty light rain early Sunday morning. Spotty light rain will be possible until mid-afternoon.

A cold front from the west arrives early Monday morning. Winds pick up from the northwest and another brief period of spotty light rain is possible late Sunday night into Monday morning. Monday is cloudy and cool, but mostly dry after that early light rain.

Another brief cold wedge develops Tuesday with moisture overrunning from the south. We'll have light afternoon and nighttime rain Tuesday (it could start as a brief period of light freezing rain). Temperatures warm significantly Tuesday night.

Wednesday will be much warmer ahead of a more potent front arriving late Wednesday night. While there is still uncertainty regarding timing, we think rain will arrive Wednesday afternoon and continue through Wednesday night. Rain may be heavy briefly Wednesday night with thunder possible.

Colder air returns late Wednesday night and Thursday. Rain Thursday morning will change to snow showers before ending. Thursday night will be very cold. Friday has clearing skies and cold temperatures.

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