Saturday, March 01, 2014

Ice and Sleet Storm Update



It's 9:00 pm on Saturday night and I'm in the storm center looking over the data for tomorrow. This is a tough forecast. I'm 100% confident that we will have a winter storm that impacts ALL of Region 8, but the confidence in what falls is not as high as I would like. Due to timing, I can't do a pinpoint forecast for every city and county in our viewing area, but I'm going to pick a few cities to help you with the timing and possible accumulations. Pick the closest city to get an idea of what may happen at your house:

Jonesboro:

  • Rain at sunrise.
  • Switching to freezing rain between 8:00-10:00 am
  • Switching to sleet between 12:00-2:00 PM
  • Heavy sleet for the rest of the day into the evening
  • Thunder and lightning is possible
  • If we do not switch from freezing rain to sleet by 2:00, our chances of losing power increases quickly.
  • Regardless, power outages will happen in areas due to ice on trees and power lines.
  • 0.50-0.75" of Freezing Rain and 1-2" of sleet expected.
  • Some snow possible on the tail end.
Wynne
  • Rain by 10:00 am
  • Switching to freezing rain between noon and 2:00 PM
  • "Possibly" switching to sleet between 7:00-9:00 PM
  • Significant icing on power lines and trees.
  • Power outages could be widespread.
  • 0.75"-1.00"+ of ICE glazed over exposed surfaces is possible.
Pocahontas
  • Rain starts between 3:00-5:00 am
  • Switching to freezing rain between 5:00-7:00 am
  • Switching to sleet between 9:00-11:00 am
  • Power problems are possible, but not as likely as areas south of you.
  • 0.50" is possible.
  • Up to 2" of sleet is possible
  • 1-2" of snow might even fall on top of the sleet an ice before the storm ends.
That's probably even more detailed than I would like to go, but I know that many of you have questions and many of you have plans that you are trying to make. REMEMBER, this can change. This is a VERY dynamic storm system. It's been in the forecast for 7 days and has not thrown us a curve ball, yet. I'm still waiting on what the surprise will be with this storm. There's always a surprise somewhere!!!

Storm Coverage Plans:
  • I will be on air at 10:00 tonight
  • Andrew Wilson will have LIVE updates between 7:00 and 8:00 during Good Morning America.
  • I will be on air at 5:00 and 10:00 on Sunday night and Andrew will be here giving live reports on the Weather Deck.


8 comments:

Anonymous said...

When do you think it will hit mount pleasant-Izard county??

Anonymous said...

What is Newport suspecting to get?

Anonymous said...

Batesville between Pfeiffer and Cave City?

Anonymous said...

You people did read the part about "due to timing" he could not pinpoint specific locations, therefore look at the forecast for the town closest to you. Jeez! He can't do individualized forecasts. Get a grip! Thank you, Mr. Vaughan for all that you do for Region 8! Some of us do appreciate your hard work!

Anonymous said...

I am hearing thunder to the south right now.

Anonymous said...

I am hearing thunder to the south right now from the Southwest Church of Christ part of town.

Anonymous said...

There's rain and thunder in cardwell mo alittle wind not bad and its 32 degrees here

Anonymous said...

What's in the forecast for Forrest City? What can we expect?