Light rain quickly changed over to wet snow across northern and central portions of the NC Piedmont during the morning and afternoon hours on the 8th, as a well-defined positively tilted southern stream trough and associated vigorous 150 knot jet streak |spread east into the region. Periods of light precipitation continued into the early morning hours on the 9th, before tapering off.
Every event with a place to put it; 9 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS RAH wrote it up.
Light rain quickly changed over to wet snow across northern and central portions of the NC Piedmont during the morning and afternoon hours on the 8th, as a well-defined positively tilted southern stream trough and associated vigorous 150 knot jet streak |spread east into the region. Periods of light precipitation continued into the early morning hours on the 9th, before tapering off. Warm ground temperatures along with surface temperatures at or above freezing, kept warning advisory criteria of 3 to 5 inches confined to far northern Piedmont of North Carolina. Person County also had some light freezing rain accrual of one-tenth of an inch of ice.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Raleigh, NC wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Dec 8, 3:00 PM EST, 0 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Raleigh NC 300 PM EST Fri Dec 8 2017 .SYNOPSIS... A potent upper-level trough will approach from the west tonight, then pass over NC Saturday. A cold front will move east across the region late Saturday. Cold high pressure will follow the front for Sunday into Monday. && .NEAR TERM /THROUGH TONIGHT/... As of 211 PM Friday... Upgrade to Winter Storm Warning for Forsyth... Guilford... Davidson... Randolph... Alamance... Orange... and Person Counties into Saturday afternoon... Winter Weather Advisory for Chatham... Wake... Durham.. Granville... Vance... Franklin... and Warren Counties into Saturday afternoon. Based on satellite, radar, and observational data including heavy wet snow upstream from Jackson to Birmingham to much of western NC (locally already 5-8 inches)... we will upgrade our Northwest Piedmont to a Winter Storm Warning (2-4 inches of wet snow), some locally higher totals possible. The battle of the cold air (very marginal) with surface temperatures just above freezing, and warmer air aloft intruding into mainly eastern NC (or as far west as potentially Greensboro and Lexington this evening), with an initial warm ground have been greatly limiting snowfall accumulations thus far. However, as we lose insolation with nightfall, most guidance suggests snow will continue (very wet) through near sunset, with a potential lull in some areas early to mid evening, before increasing again later tonight. Storm totals of 2-4 slushy inches are possible with locally 5 inches just north of the urban areas of Winston- Salem to Greensboro, and around Roxboro. Roads should be wet to slushy, especially on bridges and overpasses. We will initialize the rain/snow line near the current depiction on radar (which is 25 miles or so SE of model projections) across Randolph/Chatham NE to Warren County, mainly on the NW side of the Triangle area. Snow, some heavy will fall NW of this line, with a transition to rain as the late afternoon and evening progress (warmer air intrusion at 5K feet). Just how far NW this transition goes is in question, but following the average of the guidance and incorporation the wet bulb forecasts, we will place the warning as mentioned. It appears the rain/snow line has stalled, and is most likely going to begin heading back northwest in response to the approaching wave that will continue to enhance precip. rates through the early evening. Lows tonight in the lower 30s in the Warning area, around 32-33 in the Advisory area, and mid 30s to 40 with the rain elsewhere. && .SHORT TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/... As of 300 PM Friday... A wave will swing through the area from the base of the upper level trough, with dry air surging in behind it. Meanwhile, a secondary yet potent shortwave low will be diving southward into the Ohio Valley as the upper level trough pivots over the region. This secondary wave will help finally drive the arctic front through Central NC late Saturday through Saturday night. At the surface, Central NC will remain sandwiched between the coastal front (and the series of lows traversing it) and the arctic front (which will still be hung up over the mountains). Some cooler, drier air will attempt to make its way around the southern fringe of the Appalachians during the day Saturday, helping to push the coastal front further offshore and cut off the moisture feed into the area from the Gulf. The cold air will be chasing the precipitation, which will gradually progress east-northeast out of the area during the day Saturday. Latest model solutions indicate the arctic front won't make its way through Central NC until Saturday night, after the precipitation moves out. However, the tail end of the precipitation across the northern half of the area could remain snow, or a mix of rain and snow. Do not expect significant additional accumulation of snow beyond 18Z Saturday, although there could be a bit near the VA border. There is a possibility of a few flurries with the passage of the arctic front given the steep lapse rates and lingering low-mid level moisture. However, do not expect any significant impacts with this additional snow activity, should it occur. Confidence is not high that it will. With the rain and clouds sticking around longer on Saturday, highs will be similar to Friday, low to mid 40s. The strong arctic front could bring some blustery winds out of the west-northwest overnight. Strong cold advection behind the front will result in lows in the low to mid 20s Saturday night, though given the expected winds, wind chill values will likely be in the teens across Central NC. && .LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/... As of 155 AM Friday... Dry weather is expected for the medium range period, with below normal temps (some days much colder than others). Surface high pressure will build/extend into the area from the Deep South/Gulf Coast States behind the exiting deep trough Sunday. This will result in a brief warm up through Monday and dry weather, with highs on Sunday in the upper 30s NW to the lower to mid 40s SE. Highs Monday are expected to be in the mid to upper 40s, with some lower 50s across the south. The mid/upper level trough across the eastern half of the country is expected to reload by Tuesday, sending another deep/potent mid/upper disturbance and associated generally dry cold front through the area Tuesday. This will result in a renewed push of cold and dry air on Wednesday, with high temps again plummeting into the 30s and 40s. Moderating surface high pressure will build into the area again on Thursday, resulting in moderating temps by Thursday, with highs in the 40s and 50s. && .AVIATION /19Z FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/... As of 105 PM Friday... Widespread precipitation will affect the region into Saturday morning. IFR CIGS and VSBYS are expected with rain and fog from KRDU and KRWI to KFAY. Snow or snow mixed with rain is expected at KINT and KGSO. CIGS and VSBYS will improve to MVFR then VFR during Saturday as the precipitation becomes showery then ends. Outlook: VFR conditions are expected to return late Saturday. VFR conditions are then expected into Monday and Tuesday. && .RAH WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... Winter Storm Warning until 4 PM EST Saturday for NCZ007- 021>024-038-039. Winter Weather Advisory until 4 PM EST Saturday for NCZ008>010- 025-026-040-041. && SYNOPSIS...BADGETT NEAR TERM...KCP/BADGETT SHORT TERM...KCP LONG TERM...BSD/ AVIATION...BADGETT
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Raleigh NC 632 AM EST Fri Dec 8 2017 NCZ007-008-021>025-038>040-091145- Person-Granville-Forsyth-Guilford-Alamance-Orange-Durham-Davidson- Randolph-Chatham- 632 AM EST Fri Dec 8 2017 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EST SATURDAY... This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Weather Advisory. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the Internet for more information about the following hazards. Winter Weather Advisory. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ009-010-026-041-073>076-091145- Vance-Warren-Franklin-Wake-Stanly-Montgomery-Moore-Lee- 632 AM EST Fri Dec 8 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. Light rain may mix with a little wet snow or sleet this afternoon and tonight but little accumulation is expected. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. Light rain will change to wet snow on Saturday morning and then end during the early afternoon with little accumulation expected. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time. NCZ011-027-028-042-043-077-078-083>086-088-089-091145- Halifax-Nash-Edgecombe-Johnston-Wilson-Harnett-Wayne-Anson-Richmond- Scotland-Hoke-Cumberland-Sampson- 632 AM EST Fri Dec 8 2017 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central North Carolina. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday. No hazardous weather is expected at this time. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC 1201 PM EST Fri Dec 8 2017 NCZ021-022-038-039-081915- FORSYTH-GUILFORD-DAVIDSON-RANDOLPH- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF PFAFFTOWN, STANLEYVILLE, WINSTON-SALEM, GREENSBORO, LAKE TOWNSEND, HIGH POINT, LEXINGTON, THOMASVILLE, ASHEBORO, ULAH, ARCHDALE, AND TRINITY 1201 PM EST Fri Dec 8 2017 ...Light snow falling over northwest portions of the Piedmont Triad... As precipitation rates have increased, the rain has mixed with and changed to wet snow over most of Forsyth and western Guilford Counties. This includes the Winston-Salem to the Greensboro PTI Airport. Primarily rain was falling just to the east and south of Greensboro and High Point, including most of Davidson, Randolph, and Alamance Counties. Even though snow was falling, the streets and roads were wet as the temperatures were in the mid 30s. The rain/snow line is expected to move 25 miles south and east, reaching near a Lexington to Burlington line during the early afternoon. Travel problems are not expected through 200 PM as road temperatures remain well above freezing. Badgett
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE RALEIGH NC 1217 PM EST Fri Dec 8 2017 NCZ021-022-038-039-082030- FORSYTH-GUILFORD-DAVIDSON-RANDOLPH- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF PFAFFTOWN, STANLEYVILLE, WINSTON-SALEM, GREENSBORO, LAKE TOWNSEND, HIGH POINT, LEXINGTON, THOMASVILLE, ASHEBORO, ULAH, ARCHDALE, AND TRINITY 1217 PM EST Fri Dec 8 2017 ...Light snow falling over northern portions of the Piedmont Triad... As precipitation rates have increased, the rain has mixed with and changed to wet snow over most of Forsyth and Guilford Counties. This includes the Winston-Salem to Greensboro. Primarily rain was falling just to the east and south of Greensboro and High Point, including most of Davidson, Randolph, and Alamance Counties. Even though snow was falling, the streets and roads were wet as the temperatures were in the mid 30s. The rain/snow line is expected to move 25 miles south and east, reaching near a Lexington to Burlington line during the early afternoon. Travel problems are not expected through 300 PM as road temperatures remain well above freezing. NCZ007>009-023>025-082030- PERSON-GRANVILLE-VANCE-ALAMANCE-ORANGE-DURHAM- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF BUSHY FORK, CONCORD, ROXBORO, SURL, OXFORD, BUTNER, CREEDMOOR, DABNEY, HENDERSON, BURLINGTON, GRAHAM, CHAPEL HILL, CARRBORO, BETHESDA, DURHAM, AND RESEARCH TRIANGLE 1217 PM EST Fri Dec 8 2017 ...Rain mixing with and changing to wet snow across the Northern Piedmont of North Carolina... As precipitation rates have increased and temperatures cool, the rain has mixed with and changed to wet snow from Burlington and Roxboro to near Henderson. Some wet snowflakes have been mixing with the rain to the south and east of this region including southern Alamance, Orange, northern Durham, and Vance Counties. Even where the snow was falling, the streets and roads were wet as the temperatures were in the mid 30s. The rain/snow line is expected to waver more to the south through 300 PM, with a change to wet snow possible as far south as Durham, Wake Forest, and Louisburg. However, travel problems are not expected through 300 PM as road temperatures remain well above freezing and just wet. Warmer air aloft will likely change the wet snow to rain by this evening, especially to the south of a line from Burlington to Roxboro, or near the Interstate 85 corridor. Badgett
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
5 winter weather, 4 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.
Three to six inches of snow fell across Forsyth county.
Snowfall amounts of 3 to 4 inches fell across the county.
Snowfall amounts of up to 3 inches fell across the county. Also, 0.10 inches of freezing rain was reported.
Snowfall amounts of up to 3 inches fell across the county.
Snowfall amounts averaged between a 0.50 to 1 inch across the county.
Snowfall amounts averaged between a 0.50 to 1 inch across the county.
Snowfall amounts averaged between a 0.50 to 1 inch.
Snowfall amounts averaged between a 0.50 to 1 inch.
Snow and sleet amounts averaging between 0.50 inches and 2 inches fell.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in North Carolina in 2017Every state in 2017This day in weather historyWarnings in North Carolina, December 2017
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 731973, 731974, 731975, 731976, 731977, 731978, 731979, 731980, 731981.