Potential exists for snowstorm for Atlanta and points north to Kentucky come Tuesday

While there is a lot of uncertainty, and my gut feeling tells me that this will be an Alabama/Mississippi event, there still exists a good possibility of an Atlanta snowstorm next week. Now, there will almost certainly be a storm, but the track is uncertain. Ironically, the most likely place to get hit hard is Kentucky, where they are still dealing with lots of ice and snow, and power could take two weeks to get restored.

Cold air is in place, but possibly not enough cold air to keep it all as snow. The snow pack currently goes down to about Knoxville, but also covers NW Mississippi, most of Arkansas, and NE Texas.

Keep you posted...

Ice and snow from Texas to Maine, but not for Atlanta

The "Ice Storm of 2009" is continuing, but it's a very tricky storm and varies wildly depending on where folks live. Just around the southern Tennessee border, the temperature went from 71 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama to 37 in Jackson, Tennessee...about an hour's drive.

Yesterday there were winter storm warnings up from just north of Laredo, Texas, on the Mexican border, to Caribou, Maine. The main icing was occurring from Tulsa and Jonesboro, Arkansas up through Lexington, Kentucky. Paducah, where Jim Cantore is stationed, is getting hit particularly hard.

The good news is that this should all be over in the Bluegrass/Midwest by about 1 PM today. That's a pretty long storm though...about 36 hours worth of freezing rain, sleet and snow!

For the Bluegrass, apparently the saving grace was that there was a huge ice storm in 2003, which broke all the smaller branches, which means there are less power outages now. However, in Danville & Berea, Kentucky, most of the power is out, and in Jessamine County, they are requesting water conservation because the water pumps are out.

In Atlanta it's been holding in the high 50's for about 48 hours, but it'll get cold tonight again, and get back to more normal weather after that. The ryegrass is not looking especially awesome because it has been so cold, but that and the pansies seem to be coming back nicely, at least for now.

In other news, as of yesterday it is only 4 weeks until Mardi Gras, and come Monday we can sign up for Keeneland reservations (for April 18).

Christmas decorations are down...sort of

Yesterday being 12th Night and all I got down all the decorations, and they are either in the guest room or sitting on the garage floor. Now just time to check the lights and pack everything away. Our house seems so much bigger now than it did before! Now it's time to move on to Mardi Gras!

The weather has been crazy, warm and alternating downpours and sun. I hope we get some snow at some point soon!

Speaking of snow, we're off to Keystone next Friday (as if we didn't get enough fun already in Kentucky over Christmas and Murrells Inlet after New Year's!). Even though I don't officially get off on MLK Day, we're taking it anyway and skiing for three days up there.

Kentucky Oaks Day

It's the Oaks today, and I'll be traveling to Athens, Georgia tonight to see my sister graduate from the University of Georgia.

In Churchill Downs weather news, things look okay, except that there is a Tornado Watch for areas of western Kentucky, as close as 80 miles from th Downs. Hopefully there will be no storms (or damage) there.

We had a frost advisory this week, that was nuts.

Tomorrow is Derby and I am thinking either Big Brown or Court Vision...We'll have until tomorrow at 6:11 PM EDT to decide.

Snow for metro Atlanta today

Not a lot of snow, but enough so they are issuing a statement not to be surprised if we see snow or sleet. This includes NW Georgia and most all of metro Atlanta. The snow & sleet is north and west of this line.

It's currently 49 but very windy, so it feels colder. For comparison, it's slightly warmer in Atlanta than Pittsburgh, but colder than Richmond.

AFTERNOON UDPATE: The Freeze Watch has been cancelled for tonight, however we could still see some patchy frost. I think to be on the safe side I am going to cover my hydrangeas and rose...it won't kill them, but the frost might. There has however been a freeze watch posted for tomorrow night north of this line which includes metro Atlanta, the mountains and Macon. There were a few snow flurries today, but no serious (or longterm) accumulation. It is definitely miserable out though and the temperature has only made it up to 51, which is about 20 or more degrees colder than it should be this time of year. Argh.

Snow somewhat of a bust and basketball

We did get some snow on Saturday, not nearly as much as Columbus, who got 20" or Cincinnati, which got 10"+, but still snow nonetheless. However it did not stick to anything, and there was no traffic problems. Alabama got accumulating snow, but it quickly melted. Jackson got some real snow, and Memphis got 6"+. Now it's back to the 60's (hopefully for good), and some sun.

The ACC tournament also starts this weekend. We play Georgia Tech on Thursday night at 7PM EDT (thank you Daylight Savings) on ESPN2HD. We then HOPEFULLY play Duke on Friday night.

Finally, Saturday Night Live has been hilarious lately with its parodies of the Election, esp. this week with the "3 AM Call".

More snow for Atlanta, yet again???

It's snowed (and stuck here) three times...the Thursday & Saturday in January, and then last week after the strong storms (and the 25' long tree branch that fell on our roof).

Now it's looking more and more likely that snow could arrive tomorrow morning, maybe around 6 AM, with the best chance of snow showers from 9-noon. Here's the deal:

Right now many Dallas metroplex schools, including Carroll ISD in Southlake, are under 2 hour delays. Temperatures are below freezing NW of this line, including western Dallas & Dallas County, and all of Tarrant County (Fort Worth).

In Louisiana and SE Texas, snow can be expected down to a line near I-10 with possible snow showers as far south as Lake Charles, Louisiana.

In Mississippi, 1-2" of snow is expected for Jackson.

In Alabama, so far there is a Winter Storm Watch within 74 miles of my house in Atlanta...that is in Cherokee County, Alabama (Centre, Alabama). About 1" of snow is expected there.

In Georgia, there are Winter Storm Watches posted as close as 64 miles away in Gilmer County. The best chance of snow is north of this line. We shall see!

Finally, an episode of "When Weather Changed History" about the 1927 Louisiana flood is on Sunday at 9 PM. Should be very interesting.

UPDATE: A heavy snow warning has been issued for Cherokee County, Alabama and points west. In addition, a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the majority of Alabama all the way down to Barbour County, Alabama (and points west), which is merely 50 miles from the Florida line. No weather update for Georgia as of yet.

The flu & storm thunderstorms

So I've gotten knocked down with the flu since yesterday at lunchtime. I made it to work today and have gradually been eating my lunch since then. I do feel better now, however I'm not sure how tennis practice is going to go. Let's hope for the best.

In weather news, we're expecting some strong storms tonight, and then of course it's going to get cold again. Argh. Oh well. There is a chance for some snow/rain mix on Thursday night, however nothing to report at this point about any statement or advisory, and it looks to be a non-event.

Because I have had the flu, I've been a CNN-HD junkie the last few days watching news of the primary. It looks especially good on my upstairs (new) TV...in HD they also give you extra graphics and pie charts and all. I would watch FoxNews, but they are not yet in HD (neither is FOX Atlanta, WAGA for that matter).

Snow? Just kidding

So about 1:30 last night, they cancelled the Winter Weather Advisory, and when we woke up this morning about 8:30, there was absolutely nothing on the ground, and the pavement was just a little wet. Oh well, maybe we'll get another snow at some point.

It is very weird watching TV today b/c there is no football on...only one game left. Go Pats I guess.

More snow???!!!

There is a Winter Storm Advisory, mainly north of this line where everyone north could see 1" of snow, and those in the higher elevations could see 1-2" of snow.

However, even to the south, as close as Jacksonville, Georgia in Telfair County, there could be a mix, at least for a time.

The Winter Weather Advisory lasts until 10 AM, unless it is discontinued or extended.

We shall see what happens!

Freezing rain advisory extended in north Georgia

There is a line of freezing rain and rain north of here, which includes most of the city of Atlanta. However, the freezing rain advisory, which was set to expire at 10 AM, has been extended in the same places until 2 PM, as temperatures are right at or just below freezing. It is 35 in Atlanta, but 32 in Calhoun and 30 in Cumming.

In other news, the stock market is in the tank and getting worse. Don't sell those stocks now!

More wintry weather for parts of metro area.

A Freezing Rain Advisory has been issued for parts of the metro area, north of this line. The Adisory is in effect from 2 AM to 10 AM. The advisory comes within 24 miles of our house in NW City of Atlanta.

Officially we got .8" of snow at the airport on Saturday, and 2" in Midtown. We still have just a little bit of snow in our yard which is preventing me from mowing the grass (oh darn :) ). I would love to get at least one more storm so we get out of some work, but I don't want to be greedy!

Today for work I had to go up to Milton, Georgia, in extreme NE Fulton County, a 30 mile trip & $.50 toll up there. Why do people live that far away? Might as well be in North Carolina! (Although in reality, that's 85 miles further

More snow on the way??

So predictions are as high as 5" tomorrow in Montgomery, 4" in the Atlanta area, and 6" as close as Bartow, Cherokee & north Fulton counties. Winter Storm Watches are posted as close as Cleburne, Randolph & Chambers Counties in Alabama (Cleburne is less than 60 miles from my house), and more may be added later.

The main snow line in Alabama is probably going to be somewhere around here, but the situation is rapidly developing so that will most likely change.

Here in Georgia there is a weather statement covering all of northern Georgia as far south as Heard, Henry and Morgan Counties. We shall see!

UPDATE:The Atlanta area is now under a Winter Storm Watch, which includes all counties from Heard to Banks, and north and west of that line. This will most likely be switched to a Winter Storm Warhing near midnight tonight. Again, accumulation amounts are unclear, but it should be fun nonetheless.

Maybe, possibly, some winter weather in Atlanta

So it is currently 33 out/wind chill 26 (as of 8:38 AM EST), and rain is moving into the area, possibly blessing us with some freezing rain (hey, any rain is good rain, right?). Right now it looks like the metro area will be "Spared" (i.e. must go to work tomorrow), but there is always a chance that things will get worse. The problem is that when the rain comes, that will raise the temperature since the rain is coming from the Gulf. However, Winter Storm Watches are posted as close as 50 miles away in Dawson County, and Winter Storm Warnings are posted as close as 70 miles away in Habersham County. Our current weather statement expires at 4:30, but I expect that a new one will be posted before then. We shall see.

The Australian Open is on, and I'm trying to learn by osmosis so we can play decently in our match this weekend. They have new cool blue courts, and the coverage is in high def, so it looks great.

Finally, Mardi Gras is getting into full swing...it has to since the day is 3 weeks from yesterday! Krew du Vieux is rolling on Saturday, doing their "Magical Misery Tour". I so wish I could go down this year for it!

UPDATE: A Winter Weather Advisory has just been issued from 4 PM Weds to 6 AM Thurs EST north of this line. Here's for hoping!

Update

So in the last month:

1) I went to, and UVa lost at its game with Virginia Tech (who went on to Beat BC and win the Gator Bowl). However I had a great time, Scott Stadium was rocking, and there was a lot of orange to go around (Hoo orange, not Hokie orange, although there was a lot of that too).

2) Although that meant I did not go to Jacksonville for the ACC Championship game, I will be going for the Gator Bowl when UVa plays Texas Tech at 1 PM EST on January 1, 2007.

3) We not only have 1, but 2 dogs right now, since we're keeping my wife's parents' dog...that's fun, but chaotic, and we take him back to Virginia with us on December 22 for good.

4) The drought is still as bad as ever, but because everyone has been conserving so much, the lake is actually filling back up slowly. However we've gotten only about 1" of rain since mid-October and we really could use some. Despite this my winter rye has mostly come up and my yard doesn't look half bad. We're still in the worst category of drought, along with most of upstate SC, NC, AL and some of Tennessee.

5) Subtropical Storm Olga formed today out of the blue (and past the "end" of Hurricane Season) but is expected to dissipate after it creates a little havoc in Puerto Rico and Hispanola.

6) A big winter storm is leaving ice all over the middle part of the country from Texas to Illinois. However here it is 73 and sunny...strange with all the Christmas lights out...feels like south Florida or something.

7) As for the BCS, Geaux Tigers, Dawgs, Illini and Hokies...I can't decide who I like in the Fiesta (OU & WVU).

Today we are all Hokies

The Hoos and the Hokies are finally coming together...unfortunately it takes a tragedy to do so. Obviously vigils are being held at UVa (and other places) and President Casteen from UVa is going to the 2 PM convocation at Virginia Tech. Tech is closed at least for the rest of the week. This must cause crazy disruptions into school schedules, but that will be dealt with later. Hopefully nothing like this will ever happen again.

In other news, there were snow flurries in Atlanta on Sunday...insane for late April.

Heading down to South DeKalb

Ok, so call us crazy but we're driving 30 miles out to Stonecrest Mall/Lithonia to go eat at Chicken & Waffles tonight...partly to visit a friend who lives on the east side of Conyers.

UVa is just 1/2 game back from Boston College now & tied with VT and UNC for 2nd in the ACC standings. We've lost 3 games just like BC, but they've played 1 more (and won one more) than us. We need to be wary of FSU this weekend!!!

There is still a chance for snow on Saturday, but it's not looking promising. They have yet to issue any statements about it in Georgia, and have only gotten as close as middle Kentucky. It will be cold though...Freezing temperatures all the way to the MS/AL/FL Gulf beaches!

Finally some snow...kindof

We got some flurries today, out of the blue, but good enough for government work. I hope that it is not all the snow we see this winter. We are due for flurries tomorrow night, and then potentially more substantial snow on Saturday night, although it may turn out to be more icy. Today BARELY broke 40, and it got down to 30 by lunchtime. The wind was howling too, not fun! The key for Saturday will be for it to stay much colder than expected before the rain moves in. Then we could get decent snow.

New Orleans is COLD right now for Mardi Gras...highs only in the 40's tomorrow, and lows in the low 30's tonight. Not exactly Mardi Gras weather, but then again it is only February.

In other weather-related news, I need to spray our rose with dormant oil sometime starting tomorrow. However the temperature has to stay above 40 for the 24 hours previous to that, so it'll be a dicey situation for at least the next 10 days...might have to wait until March! Speaking of March...it's almost pinestraw time...yuck. That is SO much work.

Happy Mardi Gras! (Parades are rolling tonight and every night until Mardi Gras day!)

This is How We Do...

Well, it's exactly one week until Mardi Gras day. Starting to get excited, and really wishing I was going down, especially since my sister has plans to do the same. It's going to be cold this weekend down there though...lows in the lower 40's & highs in the 60's. It should be in the mid to high 60's this time of year, since this is one of the "later" Mardi Gras (for instance next year everything will be done by February 5). The date for Mardi Gras can be anywhere from February 3 to March 9 (lasting between 28 & 62 days), meaning that day could be as cold as 19 in the morning to as hot as 83, but more typically between 63 & 71 for daily highs.

As kind of a joke we submitted our door to the New Orleans Time-Picayune to go in the section where people from around the country can submit their Mardi Gras photos...funny thing is they published it! (see picture 7 of 13).

There is a slight chance of snow for Saturday night, but it's looking more doubtful...of course the best snowstorms here seem to be a surprise, so may that's a good thing. We are running out of time though. The Superstorm of 1993 occurred March 13-15, so if we don't get something by the second weekend of March (10th & 11th), I'd say we're done for the year. That one was a big surprise though & no one believed that the South would actually get freezing rain & snow. Of course, if we do get something that weekend, I don't think I'm going to be able to put out pine straw like I was planning!

Another chance for wintry weather in North Georgia

Well, it looks like a better shot this time...the cold air is in place (it was a high of about 37 yesterday and a low of 16), and the moisture is coming in from the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday night & Thursday. It looks like an area starting just north of Macon will get freezing rain, and the north Georgia Mountains might get some snow. The next update will probably be early afternoon. The statements from the National Weather Service however are already talking about issuing Winter Weather Watches & Warnings, but nothing yet.