Forecast Last Updated at Thursday, January 29, 2015 at 7:59AM

Briefly Milder; Then Much Colder

A cold front moves across the Southern Appalachians this evening. Ahead of the front, we have somewhat milder temperatures today, but much colder air returns tonight and Friday on ferocious NW winds. You'd be wise to take care of any loose items around the yard today. And no amount of hairspray will save a big do tomorrow--A Big Hair Warning is in effect. Spotty light rain showers are possible this afternoon. Rain showers will be more widespread this evening. Rain showers change to snow showers before midnight and last through the morning hours Friday. Snow accumulations will be a dusting to 1" for most, but 1"-3" in the typically favored higher elevations and western escarpment. Click here for our forecast snow accumulation map for 10 PM tonight to noon Friday. Unsettled weather is still in the forecast for Superbowl Sunday with snow or a wintry mix (rain/snow) changing to snow showers.

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Thursday Hi: 47 Lo: 24 Generally cloudy; Spotty, light afternoon rain showers; Evening rain showers becoming snow showers before midnight; SW wind 5-15 mph, but NW 15-25 at night with gusts to 50 mph

Friday Hi: 32 Lo: 14 AM snow showers & flurries; Clearing PM; Very cold; NW wind 20-30 mph with gusts to 55 mph (10-20, gusts to 40 mph Fri night)

Saturday Hi: 41 Lo: 26 Increasing clouds; Not as cold by afternoon; NW wind 5-15 mph, gusty early, light Sat. night

Sunday Hi: 45 Lo: 27 Cloudy; PM & nighttime snow or wintry mix changing to snow showers

Monday Hi: 32 Lo: 8 Mostly to partly cloudy; AM snow showers & flurries; Clearing late; Very cold

Further Out

Tuesday - Increasing PM clouds; Cold; High in the mid 30s; Low near 20 degrees
Wednesday - Cloudy; Light rain or light snow possible; High in the lower 40s; Low in the lower 20s

Forecast Discussion

A front will cross the Tennessee Valley today and move across our area this evening. Ahead of the front, we have somewhat milder temperatures but much colder air arrives tonight on strong NW winds. Spotty light rain showers are possible this afternoon. Light rain showers will be more widespread this evening. Precipitation will change to snow showers before midnight tonight and last through Friday morning. Most of the region will pick up a dusting to 1"; however, the western edge of the Appalachians and higher elevations can expect 1"-3". Clouds decrease Friday afternoon. Friday night will be clear and cold.

Strong winds may become the bigger issue later tonight and Friday. Sustained wind will be 20-30 mph with gusts to 55 mph tomorrow. Batten down the hatches today.

Saturday is a 'tweener--less cold by afternoon with increasing clouds late.

Low pressure approaches from South Texas Sunday, along with a front moving through from the west. The track and intensity of this low remains in question. Computer guidance varies between: 1) a rain/snow mix Sunday changing to snow showers later Sunday night and continuing Monday and 2) an all snow event Sunday afternoon though the daytime Monday. Stay tuned.

Monday will be very cold. Canadian high pressure overtakes our area Monday night and Tuesday. Tuesday will be cold, but less cold than Monday. Uncertainty reigns over the location of low pressure skirting the Gulf Coast Wednesday. We included the possibility of light rain or snow Wednesday for now.

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