THOMASVILLE, NC :: Folks it looks like we are in for a doozy this week. Yes we are going to have winter weather. Amazing as it may seem, this happens to us here in the South from time to time. And we all lose our damn minds. I might as well give a forecast myself; it seems there isn’t much to it from what I’ve seen on TV. I’d like to think mine is a tad more fun though.
In the Hickory area it looks like an 85% chance of Austin McDaniel putting a heavy coating of wins over the entire region. There will be many variables in this forecast, as high pressure known as Jesse LeFevers is a unknown right now and could fluctuate the percentage. Add in heavy a dousing of new weather trends, Shane Lee and Matt Piercy, and Hickory could see the highest competitive totals around. The low pressure known as Ashley Huffman could spoil the forecast completely and make all this not happen at all. There are too many variables in this region.
As you move further east to the Winston-Salem area it gets a little easier to forecast. It looks like the heaviest precipitation will be centered around Bowman Gray Stadium with two things for certain. Tim Brown and Burt Myers are guaranteed 100%, this is not in question. The question here is whether them being so hot will make it all snow or newcomer Danny Bohn in a full season for Puddin Swisher and his cool persona will turn it to freezing rain. Never mind, add in Jason Myers, John Smith, Tommy Neal and JonBoy Brown and the place will be completely dry, too much drama and heat there to have anything significant on the ground.
The storm will leave Winston and the snow will change over to sleet as it approaches Ace Speedway Altamahaw, NC. The jet stream of Dustin Rumley looks to have complete control of this region for the foreseeable future. Dean Fogleman, John Moore and RD Smith look to add some turbulence in the upper altitudes, but they will have to get some consistency to form before it affects the forecast. Add in the legendary wind chill of Barry Beggarly and this area could see significant accumulation.
As you head to the far-East of the state of North Carolina, you just encounter heavy icing in the form of Deac McCaskill. This is 100%, the only question is how long it will last. Tommy Lemons will bring cold air from Troy NC in and may add to the icing. And the killer storm named Lee Pulliam could show its face at any time, all this centered around Southern National Motorsports Park.
The weather will creep into the Southern part of Virginia, primarily the South Boston area. This area will also have snow showers, as an old storm that has resurrected itself in Peyton Sellers is bringing the precip. The snow will be a blowing snow though as Austin Thaxton and Bobby McCarty will not let the moisture settle.
This storm will affect the entire Southeast, but don’t worry, just the talk of racing season will melt the inches away rather quickly. Be sure to stock up on beer and potato chips, and if you must drive, please, please, please, drive hell out of it. With the combination of slow speeds because of road conditions, and a softer hit when you crash, it is actually safer to drive in the snow. Enjoy.
