CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Meteorologists at the National Weather Service postponed a Winter Storm Alert for 27 counties in West Virginia on Thursday with the model’s guidance pointing to an earlier transition from rain to snow.
The orientation of the model increased a little faster, ”NWS James Zvolensky told MetroNews. “We push storm amounts up a little higher. It will be a 100% white Christmas.
The transition will begin in the early afternoon, when the arctic air moves along the Ohio River and, in the middle of the afternoon, residents in central counties are expected to start seeing snow, Zvolensky said.
What starts with heavy, wet snow will transition to a severe freeze as temperatures on Christmas Day struggle to reach the mid-1920s.
In the late afternoon, a quick shift to snow will begin as temperatures drop rapidly. Here’s a look at when to expect this transition in your neck of the woods. Check for additional information and updates at https://t.co/aW8kk5RDx0 pic.twitter.com/KN45aH6PUU
– NWS Charleston, WV (@NWSCharlestonWV) December 24, 2020
Snow accumulation values vary from 7 to 18 centimeters in the far west counties and generally an average of 5 centimeters in the central counties, with approximately the same amount in the eastern mountains.
“The mountains may increase a little more, but it is not an uphill event,” said Zvolensky. “We usually expect a lot more in the mountains, but not so much for this event.”
Zvolensky said the rate of snow will begin to decline overnight until Christmas morning. It will start out as heavy, wet snow, but it will freeze overnight.
“You will see gusts going on throughout the day,” said Zvolensky. “Whatever is on the floor will be frozen. The accumulations will actually stop early in the morning of Christmas day. “
The counties under the Winter Storm Warning include Tyler, Pocahontas, Randolph, Wayne, Jackson, Putnam, Wirt, Lincoln, Kanawha, Roane, Calhoun, Ritchie, Doddridge, Mingo, Logan, Boone, Clay, Braxton, Gilmer, Lewis, Harrison, Taylor, McDowell, Wyoming, Fayette, Nicholas and Webster.
The northern counties of the state’s Panhandle will be under a winter climate alert with 4 to 6 inches of possible snow. The state’s Eastern Panhandle will be under flood surveillance.