2:30 PM | Precipitation moves in shortly and changes to accumulating snow early tonight

Discussion

Low-level temperatures have climbed into the low 40’s across the region; however, upper level temperatures have already begun to cool off considerably. As a result, despite the above freezing boundary layer temperatures, the onset of the precipitation late this afternoon and early this evening could feature a mixture of rain, sleet and snow before the precipitation changes to all snow early tonight. For example, at the onset of the precipitation in Harrisonburg, VA about an hour ago the surface temperatures was 42 degrees yet snow was falling as a result of the cold air aloft. The timetable for the snow around here will be from early tonight (7pm or so) to after midnight (2am or so) with accumulations generally in the 2-4 inch range. Surface temperatures will drop quickly once the precipitation begins and then bottom out in the upper 20’s by late tonight and slippery spots will form.