Snow possible in the Midlands this week, forecast shows
More precipitation is forecast for the wettest winter ever recorded in Columbia, and some of it could be snow.
The “S-word,” is possible later this week, National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Proud said Tuesday in an interview with The State.
“We’re looking at snow possibly late Thursday afternoon, through Thursday evening and early Friday morning,” Proud said.
According to current forecasts, the most likely time for snowfall is between 1 to 5 a.m. Friday, Proud said.
While there might be flakes and flurries in the sky, don’t expect there to be any snow accumulation on the ground.
Cold air will need to be in place for days for the snow to stick to the ground, but current temperatures and forecasts show it’s going to be too warm for accumulation, according to Proud.
The good news for drivers is there should be neither snow nor freezing rain on the ground.
“Everything should be liquid,” Proud said. “I don’t see issues (for roads) as it will be cold but dry on Friday.”
Temperatures are expected in the 40s during the day Friday, a steady climb from near, or below-freezing temperatures overnight, according to the forecast from the NWS office in Columbia.
A low of 26 degrees is possible Friday night, but conditions should be dry enough by then to prevent any snow or ice, the forecast shows.
What there definitely will be is more rain. The chances of rainfall range from 90-100 percent through Thursday, according to the NWS.
Over the next three days Proud said it’s expected about two inches of rain will fall, adding to the landmark total of 18.32 inches recorded in Columbia since December.
The previous record was set in 1997-98, when 17.54 inches fell at Columbia Metropolitan Airport, the Southeast Regional Climate Center said on Twitter.
With more rain, or snow, comes the possibility of more flooding. Most Midlands rivers are expected to return to flood stages this week, Proud said.
“The ground is just saturated. There’s no storage space,” said Proud. “Not a lot will come as heavy rain (similar to previous storms this winter) but it will be steady.”
Flood warnings and advisories are possible as the rain continues to fall this week.
Although it’s expected to be dry Friday, the wet weather doesn’t appear to be leaving the Midlands anytime soon.
“The extended forecast doesn’t look much better, and there will probably be more rain Sunday,” Proud said.
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