As the Midwest grapples with frigid temperatures and piles of snow, Augusta residents could see some impact, experts say.
“It’s important for us to understand that the same storm system that brought all that snow, sleet and ice to Missouri brought the cold front here yesterday,” said Frank Alsheimer, science and operations officer with the National Weather Service in Columbia. SC “It was a bit rainy yesterday. And this morning it is a lot colder.
“Following that system also had a direct impact on the weather here. That’s why we really need to know a very broad area of what’s going on with the weather. We can’t just look out the window and say, ‘Oh, this is how it’s going to be.'”
What is the snowiest city in Georgia? Here’s where to go in GA to see the best snow
Midweek forecast:
Wednesday, High 49, Low 23
Thursday, High 45, Low 26
Friday, High 40, Low 33.
There is also a chance of showers after 1 p.m. on Friday.
“It will be chilly the next few days,” Alsheimer said. “It could rise to twenty degrees on Wednesday evening. Thursday will only be in the 40s. We will receive some precipitation on Friday. There is a possibility that could start as snow or even a bit of sleet, until it eventually changes to rain Friday night.”
January 7, 2025; Augusta, Georgia, USA; A person walks on Reynolds Street in his coat. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale – Augusta Chronicle/USA TODAY NETWORK
When it comes to weather forecasting, there are some things people may not know, Alsheimer said:
-
Meteorologists have a strong background in science and mathematics.
-
Meteorology involves complex atmospheric physics, which requires a deep understanding of calculus and other mathematical concepts to accurately interpret weather data.
-
Meteorologists can specialize in different areas.
-
Some meteorologists specialize in research, climate studies, aviation weather or extreme weather forecasting.
-
In addition to traditional weather instruments, meteorologists rely on advanced tools such as Doppler radar, satellite imagery and supercomputers to analyze and predict weather patterns.
-
During severe weather events, meteorologists provide crucial information to first responders and the public to help them stay safe.
-
Meteorologists face challenges related to the unpredictability of weather. Even with advanced technology, forecasts can be complex due to the dynamic nature of the atmosphere, which can occasionally lead to inaccuracies.
Alsheimer said the amount of precipitation will be about a quarter of an inch.
“The last time we had any kind of snow in the Augusta area was January 2022,” he said. “So that’s been three years since we’ve had any kind of frozen precipitation. It is very rare for significant snow to fall in the Augusta area. You could go back a hundred years, and you would see that Augusta saw six inches of snow maybe five or six times.”
A few tidbits forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration need to know:
-
Severe or extreme weather can be caused or enhanced by climate change, but other factors also play a role.
-
Blizzards are about more than how much snow is likely to fall. The goal is to communicate the consequences of the weather, such as how quickly the snow falls, how strong the wind is, what time it is and whether snow showers and blizzards may occur.
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with several funders and Journalism Funding Partners.
Erica Van Buren is a climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Contact her at EVanBuren@gannett.com or at X: @EricaVanBuren32.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Frigid temperatures, precipitation on the horizon in Augusta
