Here is a tour of the SE USA pointing out some potential weather problems.
NE ALABAMA
Mixed precipitation tonight in the highest elevations on the Cumberland Plateau of NE Alabama and Southern Middle Tennessee. This includes Ft. Payne, Scottsboro and Huntsville where a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for tonight. This is mainly for elevations above 1,500 feet, so in NE Alabama, the communities of Hytop, Skyline, Henegar, Monte Sano, Mentone and Valley Head. A mix of light sleet and snow this evening will change to light freezing rain after 9 o’clock. Up to 1/10 of an inch of glazing is possible, mainly on trees and elevated surfaces. Ground temperatures should stay warm enough to prevent widespread travel problems, although some slick spots are possible. No sleet, snow or freezing rain accumulation is expected in the valleys.
NORTH GEORGIA
NWS Atlanta posted a Wiinter Weather Advisory to be in effect from 4:00 this afternoon to 6:00 Thursday morning (EST). This is generally along and north of a line from Franklin to Griffin, Monticello and Warrington. This includes the Atlanta metro area. It appears the main concern will be sleet or snow mixing with rain this afternoon and evening. No significant accumulation of frozen precipitation expected. However, there could be some slipper roads with all this.
NE GEORGIA MOUNTAINS
NWS Atlanta has a Winter Storm Watch in effect from 7:00 this evening through tomorrow afternoon. This includes places like Cleveland, Dahlonega and also includes Blue Ridge, Ellijay and Jasper eastward to Dawsonville and Blairsville. Starting late this afternoon and continuing tonight, snow and sleet accumulation between an inch and 2 inches are possible. After midnight, there should be a mix of rain, sleet and freezing rain until changing over to all rain by midday tomorrow.
NW SOUTH CAROLINA
A Winter Storm Warning from 7:00 this evening until 7:00 p.m. Thursday. A band of moderate to heavy snow and sleet is expected to move north over the mountains and foothills late this evening into early Thursday. A quick accumulation of 1 and 2 inches of snow and sleet across the eastern slopes of the mountains and foothills. A quick transition to sleet and freezing rain by the early morning hours Thursday. An additional inch or two of snow is possible, mainly at higher elevations in and near the mountains. Freezing rain may continue for much of the morning before temperatures get a bit above freezing. In places where the temperatures stay below freezing the longest, an additional 1/4 inch of ice is possible. The NWS in Greenville/Spartanburg advises that significant travel problems may develop across the area Thursday morning. Ice accumulation could be heavy enough to result in some trees and power lines to fall blocking roads and leading to scattered power outages. The freezing rain accumulation around a 1/4 inch is significant. Included in all of this are towns in NE Georgia and South Carolina, such as Clarkesville, Statesville, Spruce Pine, Asheville, Hickory, Sylva and others. This also includes some of Western North Carolina, including Cherokee and Asheville.
NASHVILLE AND MIDDLE TENNESSEE
A mix of rain, snow and light sleet this evening changing to rain after midnight. Little or no snow or sleet accumulation. Some rain will continue until Thursday morning, so no problems are anticipated through the night.
MEMPHIS
Precipitation is expected to be all rain this afternoon and tonight with highs around 45 this afternoon and lows tonight around 35. Dry weather Thursday, so no problems anticipated.
GATLINBURG/CADES COVE
Rain will change to snow and continue overnight. Snow and sleet accumulation up to 2 inches. The precipitation will be a mix of light freezing rain and light rain Thursday morning changing to all rain in the afternoon. There could be some additional light ice accumulation Thursday. This is mainly for the lower elevation communities around the west edge of the Great Smokies. Of course, the snow will be heavier in the high country, such as Newfound Gap and Mt. LeConte.
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a totally inclusive list of every place in the SE, just some of the main travel areas.
