Winter storm moving up SE US coast

Winter Storm Grayson is moving up the Southeastern coast today, producing a wintry mix of freezing rain. sleet, and snow from northeastern Florida through eastern Georgia and into the Carolinas and Virginia. Between 0.50’’ and 5.00’’ of snow is possible before the system moves northward. Icy conditions are being reported in many locales, with projected accumulations from 0.10’’ to 0.50’’ likely. Hence, outside activities will be at a standstill for several days. Pressing at some gins along the way of the storm may be hindered.

Meanwhile, mostly sunny, slightly warmer temperatures are forecast for the Memphis Territory today, with daytime highs ranging from the mid to upper 30°s (F). Snow flurries are possible, but no wintry accumulations are expected. According to the National Weather Service, some northern locales have remained below-freezing for 90 consecutive hours. Another cold front, though, is expected to enter the Delta tonight, and temperatures will fall into the teens. Below-freezing highs are projected for the North Delta tomorrow, while readings will climb slightly above freezing in the South Delta. Fieldwork remains idle, while gins continue to process seed cotton supplies on their yards.

Partly cloudy, much warmer temperatures are forecast for Texas today. Daytime highs will climb into the 50°s (F), and seasonable conditions are expected to linger for several days, which will allow frozen soils to thaw. Late yesterday afternoon was the first time that temperatures reached 32° in Lubbock, ending the 79-hour period of sub-freezing readings. The warming trend will continue through the weekend in West Texas, and no precipitation is expected. Outside activities, therefore, will resume soon, and harvesting of remaining cotton will proceed with little interruption.

Fair conditions prevail in the Far West. Above-average temperatures for this time of year are forecast for California’s San Joaquin Valley, with highs reaching the 70°s (F). Mostly sunny, dry weather will linger through the week. Elsewhere in the state, a 50 to 80 percent chance of rain is in the near-term forecast for northern locales and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Light to moderate precipitation is possible, which will help increase water levels in area reservoirs that provide irrigation water to fields in the SJV.

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