Sunday’s snow/mix: Winter fights back hours after clocks spring forward

The clocks sprung forward early Sunday morning, but the weather didn’t get the memo. In a winter that’s been a “snoozefest,” it’s only fitting that wintry weather shows up now.

Timing

Periods of snow will be around early in the morning Sunday, with a layer of warm air above the surface changing precipitation over to a mix of freezing rain and sleet west of I-77 after sunrise.

Snow and a wintry mix to be fairly widespread Sunday morning

While snow and/or snow mixed with rain continues farther east, parts of the New River Valley (especially south of US 460) will tap into that warmth above and see a changeover to sleet and freezing rain too.

Snow and mixed precipitation continue through midday

Heading beyond midday, precipitation will be mixed but it will mostly be scattered as well.

Scattered precipitation is expected to continue into the afternoon

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Totals

Most of the snow we see, especially below the 2,500 foot level, will either melt or stick to the grass, hand rails, etc. Main roads like I-81, US 460, US 220 and US 29 should mostly be in good shape. It would have to come down heavily to overcome melting on the road surfaces.

Snow accumulation map (before melting) for Sunday, 3/12/2023

Keep in mind that the totals you see above are at the height of this system. There will be some melting after it falls.

Parts of Grayson, Carroll and Floyd Counties see more ice from about 8 or 9 a.m. into the early afternoon, while areas north of that have the potential for lighter ice totals.

Ice accumulation map for Sunday, 3/12/2023

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Beyond Sunday

Monday will be breezy with increasing sun and highs in the 40s and 50s. Any snow showers on the back edge of our storm will mostly target the west-facing slopes both Monday and Tuesday. (A few stragglers make it east of the West Virginia-Virginia border.)

Once our storm moves offshore and strengthens near New England, we’ll pull in colder air along a strong wind heading into Tuesday. Highs will be in the 30s and 40s (lower wind chills).

Stronger storm offshore drags in colder air and stronger gusts by Tuesday

Temperatures Monday and Tuesday mornings will be around freezing, but the coldest mornings will be Wednesday and Thursday. This is when temperatures drop into the 20s.

Frost/freeze potential through Wednesday, 3/15/2023

This comes as a bit of a shock to the system, given that fruit trees have bloomed weeks ahead of schedule.

We’ll bounce back into spring ahead of a late week storm system. Thursday and Friday’s highs reach the 60s before rain moves west to east late Friday into early Saturday.

Turning much warmer Thursday and Friday afternoons

Join Meteorologist Chris Michaels for an 11 a.m. weather update:

Source: WSLS News 10