NWS Winter Storm Warning (Alleghany County)

Current Conditions
Sparta

Temp: 24.8°F

Forecast Last Updated at Monday, February 18, 2019 at 6:34PM

Precipitation Returns Tuesday

Monday was the nicest day of the week thanks to some afternoon sunshine. Skies become cloudy again quickly Tuesday. Chilly high pressure will wedge down the Appalachians as moist air rides over the top ahead of low pressure located in East Texas by late Tuesday. Precipitation begins Tuesday afternoon--a wintry mix continuing through Tuesday night. Freezing rain will be the primary type of precipitation Tuesday night into early Wednesday, a more significant event than Sunday. Ice will linger longest in the east along the Blue Ridge. Beginning Wednesday afternoon, "rain" is the word. For ice and snow impacts, check out our Forecast Accumulation Map.

Monday Hi: 45 Lo: 23 Scattered clouds; Chilly; NW wind 10-20 mph, gusts to 40 mph, diminishing overnight

Tuesday Hi: 40 Lo: 27 Cloudy; Wintry mix in the afternoon and Tue. night; Significant ice accumulations Tue. night; Light SE wind, becoming SE 5-15 mph & gusty up top

Wednesday Hi: 39 Lo: 38 Cloudy; Periods of rain (AM freezing rain near the Blue Ridge); Cool; SE wind 5-10 mph, but gusty at higher elev's

Thursday Hi: 60 Lo: 43 Cloudy: Periods of rain; Milder

Friday Hi: 50 Lo: 37 Cloudy; You guessed it... rain

Further Out

Saturday - Cloudy; Yes again, periods of rain; High in the upper 40s; Low in the upper 30s
Sunday - Rain during the daytime; Partial clearing Sun. night; High in the lower 60s; Low in the upper 30s

Forecast Discussion

It's difficult to reach consensus on any subject, but by the end of this week, 100% will have an unfavorable rating of the weather.

We have caught a break in the precipitation now through Tuesday morning. Windy conditions will be the most noticeable weather item as chilly air overtakes the region, but those winds diminish overnight.

High pressure centered in the NE wedges down the Appalachians. Low pressure will be centered in East Texas by late Tuesday pulling Gulf moisture northward over the top of cold air at the surface. The result will be a wintry mix developing Tuesday afternoon and continuing Tuesday night. Freezing rain will be the primary type of precipitation Tuesday night into Wednesday with significant ice accumulation primarily in the eastern half of our region.

Precipitation transitions to a chilly rain during the day Wednesday. Thursday will be briefly milder as the chilly wedge is scoured; however, periods of rain remain with us.

We repeat the process Friday and Saturday. However, temperatures will not be as chilly as Tuesday/Wednesday. Expect rain. Rain finally ends by Sunday afternoon with some clearing Sunday night.

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