Extra Holiday Time For Some

Special thanks this morning to Phil Dyar who sent this shot in of the Cherohala Skyway. That's the scenic highway that runs between Tellico Plains, TN and Robbinsville, NC. Phil's picture was taken Monday morning as he crossed over into Graham County, NC. I have never been over there in Winter before, but you do get above a mile high on the way so it's a sweet spot for snowlovers. I like the trip in the Fall, but it's a great ride in the summer as well. For the most part the Cherohala is lightly traveled. So if you're looking for a Smokies experience without the traffic and without the distance, the Skyway is the road to drive. Check it out at this link:
http://www.cherohala.com/
A little test for drivers this morning as yesterday's moisture re-froze on the roads over night. And as it turns out it was a test many motorists failed or at least did poorly. And gave a lot of kids extra holiday time off. But the next two days look o.k.. We'll see the clouds thickening on Saturday, but still a decent day ahead of our next forecast challenge. Right now it appears low pressure will track along the Gulf coast and head across south Georgia. The rain shield extends northward to about Chattanooga by Sunday morning. So I think there's a reasonable chance that we'll see a winter mix across the area at that time. North of the city not much is expected, but the farther southeast you travel from here the heavier it gets. Does this system move far enough north to give us problems? Probably not but it bears watching. Then quiet weather appears to be ahead. But the European model (and this morning even the NAM) is trying to squeeze out some flurries or snow showers Monday evening or Monday night. Again another weak system for us that just keeps us on our toes.