At 2:43 p.m. on Tuesday the National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for Lincoln County in advance of heavy snowfall bands tracking into the area. The same weather system, tracking in from the south, is also bringing higher temps along with the intense precipitation, making for a dangerous combination of high winds and wet snowfall during the night time hours of Tuesday.
The blizzard warning replaces a winter storm warning, which is no longer in effect. The blizzard warning is in effect until 8 a.m. on Wednesday.
Snowfall quickly developed over Lincoln County Tuesday morning as the leading edge of a winter storm slid into the area. Final adjustments to the forecast indicate that the snowfall may have a shorter duration than originally expected and the event may end with rainfall.
As the storm brings an estimated 12 to 16 inches of snowfall accumulation into the evening hours of Tuesday, the forecast now calls for a steady increase in temps, making way for rainfall to begin in the late night hours of Tuesday. Rainfall should continue into early morning hours of Wednesday and taper off after sunrise, according to forecasters.
Originally the forecast called for snowfall to continue through Wednesday morning.
The lowest barometric pressure of the event, which should also bring the heaviest precipitation and highest winds, is forecast to occur in the early morning hours of Tuesday. It is unclear at this point if snowfall or rainfall will be the precipitation type when the barometric low occurs.
Forecast velocities for sustained northeasterly winds have increased to the 25 to 35 mph range with gusts up to 50 mph, according to the NWS.
The storm system developed overnight on Monday as two robust weather systems, one carrying moisture from the south and the other bringing Arctic temps from the north, collided offshore, creating a significant storm for Lincoln County.
According to the NWS: “A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions…making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you must travel…have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded…stay with your vehicle.”
The Lincoln County News will update this post.
