Ice Storm Warning until noon today
The Stormtrack Weather Team has issued a Weather Alert Day now until noon Thursday for increasing ice accumulation which will lead to slick roads and possible local power outages.
A storm system moving through the region will produce rain, heavy at times which will fall into surface temperatures which will be near or below freezing through this morning. Freezing rain and sleet will increase in intensity early in the morning. With precipitation rates increasing ice accumulation will become more efficient with time. Anywhere from a glaze to three tenths of an inch of ice is possible with highest amounts expected west of HWY 63. Areas that get heavy sleet will see higher ice totals.
Travel will become hazardous this evening and overnight. Also, the rain could become detrimental to ongoing and future road surface treatment efforts as it washes salt off the roads where pockets of heavy rain occur. Strong northwesterly winds will develop Thursday morning with wind gusts to 35 mph which will lead to added stress on power lines and branches and could cause localized power outages across the warned area.
Travel is discouraged. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency along with extra clothing or blankets.
In addition to the ice, storms are possible overnight and will be more numerous south of HWY 54. There is a marginal severe threat for storms that could produce hail of an inch or larger which is the main threat although damaging wind gusts can’t be ruled out.
Bitterly cold air moves in behind the cold front and temperatures will fall through the day Thursday with northwesterly winds increasing to 20 mph, gusting as high as 35 mph through the afternoon. Temperatures will fall into the teens by late afternoon with wind chills falling to 0 to -10 overnight Thursday into Friday morning as low temperatures bottom out in the single digits.
Watch ABC 17 News for team coverage on road and weather conditions and check back here for updates.
