***Abnormally cold next couple days as the first arctic outbreak of 2015 will affect the region*** As we have been hinting over the past several days, a major cool down is coming to our area and nothing has changed in that aspect. We would like to break down what to expect over the next 36-48 hours... The first piece of the airmass is now entering into the Southern Appalchian Region. Temperatures tonight will range from about 30 in our eastern most areas to the mid 20s in the higher elevations of Burke and McDowell County. Unfortunately temps will not move tomorrow in the higher elevations and even those in Marion, Morganton, Lenoir and Hickory will be a minimal temp rise into the 30s by mid afternoon because the second and much stronger piece of cold air invades... We are expecting temps to drop quickly after about 4 pm tomorrow, getting into the 20s region-wide (teens higher elevations) by dark on gusty north and northwest winds...which could produce some scattered snow flurries or snow shower along the Blue Ridge. Temps after dark tomorrow will plummet...by the time you wake up on Thursday morning, lows will range from the upper single digits in Marion, Icard, Newton, Claremont, mid single digits in Old Fort, Brown Mountain Beach and Patterson to temps in the lower single digits in Little Switzerland and Jonas Ridge. In addition to the very low temps will be a stout wind that will put wind chills around or just below zero for a few hours in the lower elevations and close to -10 or more in the higher elevations...a Wind Chill Advisory is in effect starting at noon tomorrow for the McDowell, Caldwell and Burke Mountains... High temperatures on Thursday will struggle to the low to mid 20s in Valdese, Sawmills and Maiden with teens for a high above 3000 ft. This airmass will be slow to move out as Friday should feature another cold day, with slight moderation... ***We hope that you are prepared for this cold outbreak. Please make sure to check on those who may be at risk during this outbreak including the elderly. Also make sure that your pets are in a warm shelter as well... Also with an extended period of below freezing temps prepare for the possibility of frozen pipes that are exposed to the cold. Also, have an alternate heating source readily available as a significant percentage of people in this part of the country rely on a heat pump or some other form of electrical heat to stay warm...those methods of heating tend to struggle in temps in the teens or lower during an extended period of time. Always...for the latest forecasts and critical info including potential school closings, check out here on Facebook, Twitter and at our website: burkeweather.org
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 03:12:21 +0000