Snow and severe weather possible for the Southeast
A strong cold front is sweeping east across the Eastern United States. Behind this cold front, modified Arctic air will send temperatures plummeting allowing for any lingering moisture to changeover to snow.
Ahead of the cold front, it's quite warm for December. In fact, ingredients are in place for spring-like thunderstorms as the cold front clashes into the warmer, moist airmass. Isolated severe storms are possible this afternoon and evening [Tuesday] including the potential for a tornado or two. There's a severe risk extending from the north-central Gulf Coast into northern Georgia including the Atlanta Metro.
Today's severe risk
As the cold front continues to move east and south, much colder air will rush in behind the cold front. This colder air will allow for the brief potential of rain changing to snow on Wednesday across parts of eastern Tennessee, northern Georgia and western North Carolina. The big question is the timing of cold air and moisture - will moisture remain in place when the atmosphere is cold enough to support snow. At this time, it appears there will be just enough lingering moisture to support a brief chance for a few snowflakes for the aforementioned areas. The favored locations that have the best chance for some snow include the mountains of eastern Tennessee/western North Carolina and the mountains of far northeastern Georgia late Wednesday morning into early Wednesday afternoon [snow levels could fall as low as 1,500 to 1,000 feet by lunchtime Wednesday]. A few lingering mountain snow showers are possible later in the day Wednesday as the flow favors enough lift and moisture due to the mountains to squeeze out some flakes.
Future radar late Wednesday morning
Future radar early Wednesday afternoon
Light accumulations are possible above 1,500 feet where a dusting to 1 inch is possible with a few to several inches possible for the highest peaks along the Tennessee/North Carolina state line by Wednesday night. The greatest chance to see upwards of 5 inches of snow is forecast above 5,000 feet.
Snow accumulation forecast
It should be noted, if less moisture is available in the post-frontal airmass, snow chances decrease; if more moisture lingers, snow chances and amounts would increase.