Snow Possible Tuesday

Figure 1. GFS predicted precipitation type and rate valid at 6 AM CST Tuesday. (Pivotal Weather)
Figure 1. GFS predicted precipitation type and rate valid at 6 AM CST Tuesday. (Image: Pivotal Weather)

There continues to be good agreement among global model guidance for a winter weather event for parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama Tuesday.

Additionally, since yesterday, there has been a southward trend. Both the GFS and ECMWF now have some light frozen precipitation occurring in south Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle — but mainly north of I-10.

TIMING

Precipitation will occur with an arctic front while sweeps across the South; start as rain but end as snow and/or a mix; end from west to east Tuesday afternoon (LA, MS) and evening/night (AL and possibly the FL Panhandle). Behind the front, temperatures will fall rather rapidly.

AMOUNTS, impacts, ETC

It is still too early to get into specifics (placement, amounts, and impacts). However, the greatest potential for  accumulation still appears to be generally along/north of I-20 as of now.

Figure 2. GFS predicted total accumulated snowfall through 6 AM Wednesday morning. Note that this is not a forecast. The purpose of showing this model output is to illustrate the idea that any accumulation would be most likely, as of now, north of I-20. (Image: Pivotal Weather) 

Farther south (between I-20 and I-10) some flurries/a mix will certainly be possible. But based on the latest data, there will likely be little to no accumulation should this occur (see figure 2).

A few key points/notes:
  • There is time for change.
  • Placement, amounts, and impacts have yet to be determined. We should know more by Sunday.
  • This is not a setup for a winter storm.
  • Considering that temperatures will fall quickly behind the front, some impacts to travel will be possible where there is accumulation.

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Caleb Carmichael
Caleb Carmichael

Caleb is the owner of Gulf Coast Storm Center. He is currently an undergraduate student at Mississippi State University majoring in geoscience with a concentration in broadcast and operational meteorology. While not yet a meteorologist, Caleb has been providing weather updates, news, and analysis for the Gulf Coast since 2014.

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