MEMPHIS, TN--Cloudy skies and chilly temperatures are in store for tonight. Winds will begin to pick up overnight, but the Mid-South will remain dry for Santa through Christmas morning.
All eyes are on the winter storm to impact the area tomorrow. A Winter Storm Watch will begin at 3 p.m. on Christmas and will go through 6 a.m. Wednesday morning for the extreme northwest part of the viewing area. Rain will overspread all areas in the Mid-South by noon tomorrow. Colder temperatures will start filtering into the area after 9 p.m. tomorrow night across northeast Arkansas and northwest Tennessee. A snow/sleet mix will begin first before changing completely over to snow in the Memphis metro by 4 a.m. Wednesday morning. Snowfall amounts will vary greatly the farther southeast you go. The highest amounts will be near the Jonesboro, AR area where rain will switch to snow earlier and where heavier bursts of snow are forecast. Areas north of I-40 and west of I-55 should expect snowfall totals between 1-3 inches. Extreme northwest Poinsett, western Cross, northwestern Mississippi, and western Pemiscot counties could pick up higher amounts up to 4 inches of snow. Areas of south of I-40 will see a rain/snow mix, but no snow is forecast to accumulate.
Regardless, hazardous travel conditions north and west of I-40 are likely for Christmas night into Wednesday morning. We will keep you posted on this winter storm as it moves into the Mid-South.
Have a very Merry Christmas everyone!
