SPC Comments on Increasing Icing Threat

Here is additional information from the Storm Prediction Center regarding the threat of sleet and freezing rain across Central Alabama.

Mesoscale Discussion 0021
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
0209 PM CST Fri Jan 06 2017

Areas affected…Mixed precipitation – freezing rain and sleet

Concerning…Winter mixed precipitation

Valid 062009Z – 070215Z

SUMMARY…Freezing rain and sleet will increase along a corridor
from central LA, across central MS, into central AL this
afternoon/evening. Significant icing, with rates approaching .10
inch/hr in heavier convection, is expected.

DISCUSSION…Latest vis satellite imagery exhibits deepening
convection across the lower Sabine river valley extending into
southern portions of MS. Lightning is increasing within the taller
updrafts, partly in response to increasing ascent ahead of
approaching short-wave trough. An elongated corridor of
precipitation, with embedded thunderstorms, is expected to expand in
areal coverage/intensity over the next several hours from the lower
Mississippi Valley to the central Gulf states.

With boundary-layer temperatures expected to cool a few degrees
along this corridor it appears the risk for significant icing will
increase as the afternoon progresses into the evening hours. As the
cold air deepens, sleet will become common along the nrn edge of
this expanding precip shield. With time, mixed precipitation will
spread into northern GA later this evening.

..Darrow.. 01/06/2017

Category: Winter Weather