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SAVANNAH, Ga. – This weekend brings significant weather changes as both Saturday and Sunday have been designated as Weather Alert Days. Expect a transition from rain to snow today, followed by dangerously cold temperatures tomorrow.
Weekend Alerts:
- A Winter Storm Warning 7 a.m. Saturday Morning through 1 p.m. Sunday Afternoon for counties along and north of I-16. Chatham & Bryan Counties are not included. 1-4″ of snow is possible. Winds gust as high as 35 mph.
- A Winter Weather Advisory 10 a.m. Saturday Morning through 7 a.m. Sunday Morning for all counties south of I-16 including Chatham & Bryan Counties. 1-2″ of snow is possible. Winds gust as high as 35 mph.
- An Extreme Cold Warning 4 p.m. Saturday Afternoon through 1 p.m. Sunday Afternoon for all counties. Single-digit wind chill temperatures expected.
WEATHER ALERT DAY: SATURDAY
An advancing low-pressure system will move across our region before heading up the East Coast. This system will bring wrap-around moisture that, when combined with the frigid air, could result in snowfall for parts of Georgia and South Carolina on Saturday.
LOCAL FORECAST: This morning, isolated rain showers are possible, with temperatures hovering ABOVE freezing in the upper 30s to lower 40s. However, once daylight breaks, temperatures are expected to drop sharply, with some inland areas potentially reaching the freezing mark by midday.
Snow showers increase through the afternoon as more areas fall below freezing. Snow is expected to continue through early tonight. The highest chances for snow AND highest accumulations for our area are expected to be north of I-16 where the Winter Storm Warning is outlined. Snow totals could reach more than 2 inches within the Winter Storm Warning. 1-2″ of snow is possible for areas closer to Statesboro, Savannah, Tybee and Richmond Hill. Snow totals fall to mainly flurries to a coating the further south you go.
This snow will be very dry and powdery. This can allow a quick burst of snow to bring higher amounts. We are also not expecting an ice first storm like we did last year. HOWEVER, powdery snow drifts much easier, which can reduce visibility, even after the snow stops as the winds pick up this evening. Hazardous travel conditions will continue through Sunday morning. Temperatures remain cold Sunday afternoon, in the upper 30s, with some sunshine. That sunshine will help melt and evaporate snow, but a refreeze is likely into Monday morning as temperatures fall well below freezing.
WEATHER ALERT DAY SUNDAY
Our winter weather comes in 2 parts. The first will be today with snow likely. The second is the arctic air arriving overnight tonight into Sunday morning. A dangerous cold shot of arctic air moves in and temperatures will fall quickly overnight into the teens. A northwest wind will pick up with gusts up to 30-35 mph. This will cause extremely dangerous wind chill temperatures in the single digits to around zero at times. Temperatures remain cold all Sunday, even with a mostly sunny sky. Afternoon temperatures will be in the mid to upper 30s.
This is the type of cold that can bring hypothermia in minutes if you’re not adequately dressed for the conditions. Also, pipes are at risk, especially if they are exposed to outdoor plumbing so take the necessary steps to protect them, including wrapping them, leaving cabinets open and dripping cold water if told to do so.
OVERALL TIMING –Rain showers will begin this morning. Rain will change to snow by late morning early afternoon. Most locations with precipitation will change to snow by late afternoon. Snow continues on and off through late tonight. Dangerous cold sets up tonight with wind chills close to zero tomorrow morning. We stay cold all day tomorrow with some afternoon melting. A refreeze is possible Monday morning for anything that melted and was wet going into the night.