Posted 4:00 p.m.: The snow has made it all the way down to the floor of the Roanoke Valley now.
Only about an hour ago, you could drive up and down some tall hills in the greater Roanoke metro area and go from snow to rain and back to snow. But finally, the atmsopheric column is cool enough all the way to the lowest part of the valley that it snowing -- moderately, even -- here in downtown Roanoke.
Temperatures are creeping downward, and I wouldn't be surprised to start seeing some accumulation on grassy surfaces particularly at elevations 1,200 feet and higher. Elevations above about 2,200 feet have been getting some accumulation throughout the day, but it's slushy. If the steady snow continues past sunset, we might even see a tad of white in the valley.
Additional disturbances may re-trigger precipitation late tonight and Thursday. I maintain my belief that this round of snow, whenever it ends, will be our last widespread round of wintry precipitation until late in the year.
Enjoy it while it lasts. You'll be wanting some on those hot, humid summer days.
Posted 8:30 a.m.: So far, from a Roanoke Valley perspective, this is your typical "Bent Mountain Special" snow.
It's snowing up there right now, with 1-3 inches on the ground along the Blue Ridge Parkway. I know -- I was there this morning. As of 8:30 a.m., the elevation where snow began falling was 1,800 feet, and it started accumulating at about 2,200 feet. I measured 2 1/2 inches at one parkway overlook. So far, the parkway isn't closed because the snow isn't sticking on the road.
The bottom of the valley so far has seen light rain and drizzle, and not much of that. Heavier precipitation bands will be moving through this morning, and with evaporational and dynamic cooling in the relatively dry air mass that has taken all night to moisten, the snow level will start creeping downward.
Do not be surprised to see some fat snowflakes later this morning, even in Roanoke city, maybe even a period of moderate snow for a while.
It's going to have a hard time getting cold enough to stick, except maybe in grassy areas and car tops and such. Every foot of elevation above the valley floor increases your chances of seeing white on the ground. The top of Mill Mountain may very well end up with a layer of snow while the valley floor has little or no accumulation.
This is your typical March snow. It takes a lot to get the cold air far enough down to overcome what's left of yesterday's 50-degree warmth and the rising sun angle.
We have a couple of other little disturbances to watch over the next couple of days, but they look weak and as if they will move to our south.
Temperatures are going to begin moderating, anyway. By next week, we may see a lot more moisture come through -- and all of it will probably be good old-fashioned rain.
If you see snowflakes today, try to enjoy them if you like snow, and taunt their melting demise if you don't. They might be the last you see until next winter.
