More snow on the way?
Early forecasts have Mid-Atlantic in crosshairs … again
Story by Chris Graham
News tips: freepress2@ntelos.net
A news release from AccuWeather.com Thursday morning has the Mid-Atlantic and Central Appalachians in the line of fire for a possible winter storm Sunday night and Monday.
The path of the storm is uncertain at this point, but the early forecast models are suggesting that the storm system, currently forecast to dump rain and snow on Califormia before tracking east, could produce heavy snowfall or heavy rain in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
Either could be a problem with the substantial snowpack already on the ground.
Check back to AugustaFreePress.com for more information as the weather situation develops.
Climatologist: Snowy winter ‘just one of those things’
Column by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Take solace, folks. The meteorologists can’t explain why it’s snowing all the time, either.
“To a large extent, it’s just one of those things. But one of those things means we don’t fully understand all the dynamics that go on with this, all the atmospheric physics involved,” said Jerry Stenger, the director of the Virginia State Climatology Office at the University of Virginia.
I had Stenger on the line for a segment on The AFP Show news podcast. My question led him to the “one of those things” quote, the thrust of where I was going with the topic being, Surely you guys know what’s going on, right, or is it just one of those things? Continue reading “Climatologist: Snowy winter ‘just one of those things’” »
Weather Blog: 20 to 30 inches or more of snow possible
Moderated by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
The latest forecast from the National Weather Service has the Augusta County, Staunton, Waynesboro area in line for 20 to 30 inches of snow with this weekend’s winter storm, with localized amounts of 30 inches-plus possible in higher elevations in the area.
The snow began early Friday morning in the Shenandoah Valley, and is expected to pick up in intensity beginning in the late-afternoon hours through Saturday morning.
Visibilities will be in the quarter-mile-or-less range tonight and Saturday morning.
Winds will be sustained at 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph tonight and Saturday.
Check back to the Weather Blog for the latest on the winter storm. Updates will be posted by the AFP in the Comments section.
Feel free to share details on weather where you are in our Comments thread.
Snow Emergency Blog: The latest on road conditions and more
Moderated by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
The Shenandoah Valley is under a state of emergency with the winter storm that is expected to dump as much as 30 inches of snow on the area this weekend.
The Snow Emergency Blog has the latest on road conditions from the Virginia Department of Transportation and the latest on the availability of emergency shelters from the local governments in Augusta County, Staunton and Waynesboro.
Look for updates from the AFP in the Comments section.
Get out of the road!
Authorities ask residents to move cars if possible
Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
The Virginia Department of Transportation and the cities of Staunton and Waynesboro are asking local residents to park vehicles in driveways or otherwise off local- and state-maintained streets and roads to allow snow-plow drivers to do their thing.
VDOT is responsible for snow-removal operations in Augusta County. A press release from the local Staunton office includes the tip that moving cars out of roadways makes it less likely for cars and trucks to be plowed in inadvertently due to snow-removal work.
A similar message was sounded in the cities. Waynesboro city officials also advised residents to wait until snow plows make their first pass before digging out to avoid having to dig out twice and to remove snow from fire hydrants on their property to save time for emergency crews in the event of a localized emergency situation.
The city has also set up a page on the city website for residents to monitor the status of snow removal – www.waynesboro.va.us/snow-report.php.
The Rant | Snowbody knows
Video Essay by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
We’re hearing from people who are annoyed with the endless speculation about how much snow this weekend’s winter storm is going to dump on the Valley.
AFP editor Chris Graham is annoyed wtih the annoyed. It’s human nature to fill in the blanks on something this potentially big. It doesn’t mean that those who engage in the speculation are as misguided for doing so as the thought police seem to want you to believe.
The advice for those who want to stay above the fray – don’t look at Facebook, among other things. Continue reading “The Rant | Snowbody knows” »
Weather-related cancellations
Edited by Chris Graham
Send cancellations to freepress2@ntelos.net
The snow isn’t here yet, but people aren’t waiting for the first flakes to fall before changing plans for what was set to be another busy winter weekend in the Shenandoah Valley.
Among the cancellations sent to AugustaFreePress.com:
- A performance of Dr. Levine and the Dreaded Blues Lady scheduled for the Waynesboro Public Library on Friday night has been canceled. No makeup date has been announced. Continue reading “Weather-related cancellations” »
