Some Snow? Late Season Wintry Mix May Show Up

By Steve Stone, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va.

Mar. 21–Nature, it seems, has her seasons mixed up.

After a nearly snowless winter, the ol’ gal now wants to turn spring white.

Folks may rise this morning to a dusting of snow in parts of Hampton Roads, and there’s another chance for a wintry mix of precipitation tonight.

Don’t fret. Forecasters at the National Weather Service office in Wakefield doubt there will be any accumulation. It has not been cold enough lately for snow to stick to roads.

A pair of storm systems are helping create the wintry scenario, forecasters said Monday.

First, a low pressure system that tracked across the south on Monday is expected to weaken as it nears the coast. Then a low pressure system is expected to form off the Carolina coast today. It’s a typical scenario for formation of nor’easters. It’s just a little later in the season than expected.

The low should move away from shore overnight into Wednesday, ushering in a reinforcing pool of cold air for our already chilly conditions. Normally at this time of year, Hampton Roads would be enjoying high temperatures near 60. The region will barely get past 40 today.

Rain also is expected, which would help with the region’s precipitation deficit this year. By this time in March, about 10 inches of rain normally would have fallen in Norfolk, the Weather Service said. This year, the total has been 3½ inches.

The wintry weather will come tonight as the mercury drops into the low 30s, changing any lingering moisture to sleet or snow showers. Areas farther west, toward Richmond, could see snow accumulate up to an inch.

Reach Steve Stone at (757) 446-2309 or steve.stone@pilotonline.com.

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