Sunday’s weather promises ‘mixed bag’

Published 12:00 am Friday, January 19, 2007

From short sleeves to long johns, all in the same week.

And to further validate just how quickly the weather can change in northeastern North Carolina, there’s a possibility of snow on Sunday.

Coming off the heels of one of the warmest January weekends on record, the local weather pattern apparently glanced at a calendar and realized it’s winter. It will definitely feel more like winter this weekend.

From near-record highs in the mid-70’s last weekend, officials with the National Weather Service office in Wakefield, Va. have more normal-like January readings in their immediate forecast as well as a chance for snow showers late Sunday night.

A low pressure system that is currently dumping upwards to eight inches of snow in the southern plains is expected to continue to tap into Gulf Coast moisture and then make a beeline for the Mid-Atlantic coast by Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the cold dome of air already in place across much of the Mid-Atlantic area may provide the catalyst for snow later on Sunday.

While NWS officials expect minor accumulations, the weather system could provide a mixed bag of elements. Sunday’s forecast calls for a 30 percent chance of rain after 1 p.m. with highs in the low 40’s. As the temperature falls into the low 30’s on Sunday night, the precipitation could change over to sleet or freezing rain mixing with snow after 1 a.m.

The system is expected to clear the area by Monday afternoon. Weather officials predict a seasonable pattern n highs in the upper 40’s and lows in the mid-to-upper 20’s n for the coming workweek.