THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, December 7, 1995             TAG: 9512070325
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   41 lines

THE ``S'' WORD MAY BE HISSIN' IN THE AIR DON'T COUNT ON IT, BUT THERE'S A CHANCE OF SNOWFLAKES TODAY.

The unspeakable is in the forecast.

Saying the four-letter ``S'' word for wintry precipitation in Hampton Roads seems the fastest way to assure only rain. But forecasters are saying it anyway.

If they are correct, Hampton Roads residents may wake to a mix of frozen flakes and raindrops this morning.

And folks who live farther north and inland are even more likely to find that it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

An area of weak low pressure in the northern Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday was expected to move north overnight while another low pressure area developed off the coast of the Carolinas.

The twin areas of stormy weather are forecast to steer moisture over the region at the same time as colder air advances from the northwest.

Winter weather advisories were posted for a wide part of central and western North Carolina. ``Residents and motorists should take precautions and allow for extra driving time,'' the National Weather Service warned.

For Hampton Roads, there is little chance of accumulation and roads should remain clear - as long as temperatures don't dip further than forecast. The overnight low going into this morning was supposed to be in the mid-30s. A dip of just a few degrees could make a big difference.

The mix of precipitation should end early this afternoon and be followed by decreasing cloudiness with a high in the lower 40s. Tonight is expected to be clear and colder with a low around 30. Friday's outlook is for increasing cloudiness with a high in the mid-40s.

Oh, the word? It rhymes with ``No!''

KEYWORDS: WEATHER by CNB