Friday, December 19, 2008

Ice Storm Causing Numerous Accidents

We have a quick glaze of ice coating the area with about .05" of an inch of ice here at WLFI. Mark in Monticello has also called in about an finger nail's worth of ice that is causing havoc on area roadways. The weather offices I have spoken to tonight around the region are still not thinking in terms of increasing ice amounts despite this impressive onslaught. I have kept our totals closer to the quarter inch of ice with closer to a half-inch across the highway 24 corridor looking more likely.

The one wild card in all this is if we get thunder freezing rain. We have numerous lightning strikes showing up on Precision 18 near St. Louis. If this makes it into our viewing area I think most of us end up with closer to .50" of freezing rain with locally higher amounts which means it becomes much more serious. We just have to take it hour by hour at this point.

I think the speed of this system is what will end up saving us and not necessarily the temperatures. We may hold at freezing or below up until at least 5 a.m. The heaviest of the freezing rain will likely be between now and 3 a.m. but we will still have freezing rain continuing in many areas up until dawn which is very bad news for the morning commute. Travel will not be recommended and our ice storm warning will officially be in effect due to hazardous road conditions through at least 9 a.m. Friday.

The thing that concerns me is that the wind will also start picking up after 4 a.m. when many areas have already picked up close to .20" of ice. This can cause trees and power lines to snap and of course power outages. I have wind speeds picking up between 10 and 20 mph between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. Stay safe, stay home. I will keep you updated. Here is the latest crawl we ran on WLFI.

News Channel 18 ice storm update: Numerous accidents are being reported across the area. You can expect up to .10" of an inch of ice to accumulate by 1:30 a.m. with areas of moderate freezing rain likely through 3 a.m. Travel is not recommended as temperatures remain below freezing through at least 5 a.m. and an ice storm warning continues through 9 a.m. Friday.

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

Mike!!!!

My wife and I are WATCHING THE LIGHTNING HERE IN TIPTON....it is raining (FZR) here, and hard...our trees in the yard are already sagging.... Gosh, I have seen this set up once before.....I pray this not what I remember....email me!

Chris

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike,

I'm in Remington. Just stepped outside and it is definitely rain coming down and solid ice on surfaces. If the wind does pick up we could be in for quite a wild ride. Enjoy reading your blog ... keep up the good work.

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Mike,
Thanks for the update!!!

Anonymous said...

C'mon school cancellations, I have a bunch of undone homework

Anonymous said...

It is really something out there and I'M baby sitting my radar and we have another HEAVY band on the way in the neax 15 to 20 min or so!

Justin in Lafayette

Anonymous said...

I wish I could sleep...just keep looking outside!! WIRED!!!!

Anonymous said...

Was just thinking the same thing Anonymous, wish i could sleep but it isnt going to happen!

Anonymous said...

Im with you guys, can't sleep.

Anonymous said...

Normally I would have been in bed like 4 hours ago...I am so pumped and will be dragg'n butt in the morning...

T

Anonymous said...

dont think anyones going anywhere too awfully early in the morning :)

Anonymous said...

yep, im usually in bed by ten.

Anonymous said...

I frequent this blog alot!!! I love it!! I too, can't sleep and wondering about schools and/or delays...supposed to bake for teacher appreciation lunch and Christmas party for son's class....I'll be up at 5am just in case....LOL...i really should be in bed...

superatc

Anonymous said...

I'm like a little kid waiting for santa....keep running to the window!! lol

T

Anonymous said...

Wow, we are dorks. But thats cool.

Anonymous said...

I have snack tomorrow for my dauhter's class...since I'm up maybe I should just bake fresh cookies!!?? LOL

T

Anonymous said...

LOL cool dorks who know whats going on!! LOL

T

Anonymous said...

I don't think any of us are going to bed anytime soon!

I currently have a Tenth of an inch of ice!

Justin in Lafayette

Anonymous said...

T,

Might as well if they close schools then you will have cookies to eat at home! :)

Anonymous said...

plow just went by throwing tons of sand down...

Anonymous said...

Does anyone in or around the Lafayette area see lightening??? Stockwell area here....

Anonymous said...

Good call Pam!!

T

Anonymous said...

my significant other works at Cive Steel in Wolcott, 4:30pm-3am shift. He just txt msgd me and said the police said that that cars are driving 5mph on 24W !

Anonymous said...

Havent seen lightning in Lafayette !!Any one ??

T

Anonymous said...

T,
I remember when my kids were little enough to have snack days, staying up all hours frosting cupcakes! I miss those days!

Anonymous said...

I just don't want to lose power becuase of my children and the cold! I don't mind the being stuck at home part.. just the thought of losing power doesn't sit well with me. lol. Looks like some pretty heavy stuff headed our way very shortly.

In Clinton Co.

Anonymous said...

I have not seen any Lightning! Around me! I'M watching these models and Radar like a hulk! With things being so crazy I don't want to take my eyes off them!

Justin in Lafayette

Anonymous said...

Freezing rain at .25" here on Old Oak Drive in Wlaf, 2 mi down morehouse road....please don't let the power go out...!

Anonymous said...

No lightening in Monticello, yet

Anonymous said...

There is no way schools don't have at least a delay...finals or not...especially with the temps not rising until 5ish....at least I hope..

superatc

Anonymous said...

Yeah I love every minute of it!! Mess ,stress, and all that goes with it....LOL

T

Anonymous said...

i just wish the schools would stay up and watch the weather, get the delays & cancellations out asap. I know TL's has a call system for the teachers i was in it when i worked there..so many teachers get a call from superintendent then that teacher calls 5 teachers...etc

Anonymous said...

hey mike-
tell the schools to get their ducks in a row, or salt and sand everything north of the mason-dixon line!

Anonymous said...

My hubby just kicked me out of bed saying he needs some sleep...he works for the cable company and will more than likely be pretty busy tomorrow...lol

T

Anonymous said...

Hey Justin,
Any signs of letting up anytime soon??? It's coming down pretty good here in Stockwell!!

Anonymous said...

it is pooring at my house...10mi. south of laf by SR 28...half to 1 inch little icicles hanging of deck railing.....not a good sign

superatc

Anonymous said...

Well currently we are in this Heavy band of rain and Let me tell you it is really coming down out there! But I would give us another 3 hours of freezing rain and maybe another 45 min to an hour or so of this Heavy Rain / freezing rain
before it moves out!

Justin

Anonymous said...

superatc thanks for the update... You are out by me, I hear it pooring down and don't want to get up and look.....

Anonymous said...

Thanks Justin.!! Yeah it is really coming down I have some major puddles out front!! What a night!!!


T

Anonymous said...

Just went for a little test run out in front of my house, crazy slick

Anonymous said...

I'm starting to think this is going to be a little worse than thought. Or... maybe I am just getting a little paranoid! LOL

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the update Justin...
Can our power lines and trees take another 3 hours?? That seems like a lot of ice....

Anonymous said...

My dog (lab) and 2 cats want to go outside...I am about ready to open the doors and send them out!!! I live 4 miles east of romney. Thanks to all for the updates...

superatc