Xmas Morning Winter Precip
Just a really quick update before I open some presents and run off to the inlaws for lunch. Frank Strait's Southeast Weather Blog (PREMIUM | PRO) has the lowdown on what areas in the Southeast will see snow today and how much. Certainly the high points in the Appalachians are already getting frozen precip, such as Mount Mitchell, NC which just hit 32 degrees after a night in the 20s. Their webcam this morning looked like a considerable amount of rain had frozen to the trees overnight.
MERRY ICEMAS AT MOUNT MITCHELL
Looking at the morning radar, it is mostly rain across the region (and a lot of it). The radar is showing occasional snow patches in Arkansas and Missouri. Heavy thunderstorms are occurring in Florida, with several counties showing Tornado Warnings this morning.
Looking at the actual observations from government stations across the Southeast, I do see "UP" (unknown precipitation) at a station in northwest Mississippi. This sometimes indicates sleet (ice pellets).
Although the radar makes it look like the rain has made it to central Pennsylvania, it is not reaching the ground and we're glad here, because the temperatures plummeted last night. I had 20 here at my house with a very heavy frost. I'm up to 28 now (7:30 AM). Here's a map of 7 AM temperatures.
In Virginia, I am seeing several "UP" reports which probably indicate sleet on the outside of this system. There could be similar reports in the Appalachians as this precip starts out today, so use caution when driving in mountainous areas.
