Heavy snow, rain, and floods will hit several parts of the U.S. over the next four days. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), North and South Carolina should expect snow on Thursday and Friday. The Great Lakes will also see lake-effect snow through Friday, with the heaviest snow accumulating downwind from Lakes Ontario and Erie.
Winter storms affecting South Carolina and Virginia are predicted for Thursday and Friday, according to the Weather Prediction Center.
In its short range forecast, the NWS said a cold dome of Arctic high pressure will push down across the Rocky Mountains and Plains, spreading east southeastward over the Lower Mississippi Valley to the Ohio Valley and the southeast. Because of the high pressure system, temperatures are forecast to stay 10 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit below average, which for February is between 28 to 60 F.
These below-average temperatures, and the westerly low pressure system, will give way to rain and snow. The NWS predicts up to 1.5 inches of additional rain in parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley down to the southeast Thursday evening, with cold air ushering snow into Friday evening over the southern Appalachian Mountains, eastward across much of North Carolina, northern South Carolina, and southern Virginia. Several inches of snow is expected.
Black ice is also expected to impact the southeast coast Thursday through Friday morning. This might impede the morning commute. Travelers should be cautious while traveling. Anyone concerned with road conditions can dial 5-1-1 for the latest updates in their state.
Snow amounts will generally be light with areas south of U.S. 58 and west of Interstate 77 seeing mainly one to two inches, according to the NWS. Toward the I-64 corridor area, there is little snow expected. The heaviest snow amounts with this weather system are expected to remain to the south, principally along the Interstate 40 corridor, according to the NWS.
The additional rainfall in the Lower Mississippi area will increase the risk of flash flooding, with watches already in place in the area. The risk is currently marginal, which means isolated flash flooding is possible.
For the west of the country, dry weather is forecast to continue into the weekend. However, a weak area of low pressure coming into the southwest by Saturday will bring some showers along with below average temperatures.
