19 people killed so far in this last weather event. Got to watch that ice.
Latest information
http://www.icyroadsafety.com/blog.shtml
- Beau
December 16, 2010:
Still some slick spots this morning - use caution. Parts of the area still have ice on roadways.
You can find more updates on my Facebook (under Beau Dodson) - Twitter, as well.
During these fast changing weather situations it is hard to keep up with all of the forecast changes that can occur from one hour to the next. This is especially true when you are only talking about a 10 or 20 mile difference between rain vs ice. This is the reason you should listen for updates throughout events.
If you would like to be added to my email list then please email me and request to be added - I usually send out an email when something significant is occurring or forecast to occur. Email me at beaudodson@usawx.com
Bottom line it for me Beau...
For southern Illinois and far western Kentucky...
The forecast for severe or extreme weather risk for today, tonight, and tomorrow: 0%.
The forecast for freezing rain, sleet, or snow today, tonight, and tomorrow: Freezing rain will come to an end early this morning over far southern Illinois and western Kentucky as temperatures go above freezing.
Forecast:
Today - Cloudy. Rain will come to an end over far southern Illinois and western Kentucky. Areas of freezing rain and sleet will come to an end further north - where temperatures remain below freezing. Temperatures steady or slowly falling this afternoon and evening. High temperatures in the middle 30s.. Northwest winds at 5 to 10 mph.
Tonight - Mostly cloudy. Low temperature near 25 degrees. North wind at 5 to 10 mph.
Friday - Partly to mostly cloudy. Cold. High near 33 degrees. Light winds.
Friday night - Cloudy and cold. A slight chance for a flurry. Low temperatures in the middle 20s.
Your up to the minute latest National Weather Service seven day forecast for southern Illinois and western Kentucky can be viewed by clicking here.
Your regional and local radars - including precipitation type radar - click here.
Barometer reading this morning is in the 29.60-29.90" range. Last 24 hours of data - click here.
-----------------
The above graphic was made by the NWS Office in Paducah, Kentucky.
The above imaged was produced by the Louisville, Kentucky NWS Office and the below image is from the Jackson, Kentucky NWS Office
You can view current conditions - weather radar and more information by clicking here
Here is a screen shot of the big snow and ice maker to our east - portions of Kentucky are reporting 1/2" of ice - tree and power line damage is likely to occur in some areas to our east. This radar shows the different types of precipitation. Blue is more likely to be snow - the orange and pink areas are ice. Green is rain.
Much of the country is cold this morning - once again. It has been a COLD December for the nation. Click image for larger view - image provided by www.wright-weather.com
Good morning!
Some of you are going to wake up and wonder - "what winter storm?" - that is because temperatures rose above freezing overnight and melted the ice that formed during the evening hours yesterday and into the early morning hours. We knew the main concern for this forecast would be just where that rain/snow/ice line would set up shop. It ended up cutting the area in half. Sound familiar? Seems to happen a lot!
Sensible weather ended up just about as forecast - slick roads. Although the precipitation did start a few hours later than expected. This was the best case scenario since kids were at school and buses had to drive in the mess. Even though dozens of wrecks were reported across our region - it could have been worse. Timing is everything when it comes to ice events.
Ice fell overnight and made roads slick over most of our region. Temperatures started to rise after 9 pm and went above freezing in some of our western Kentucky counties changing the freezing rain to plain rain.
As of this writing - Massac County was still receiving freezing rain. However, the freezing line was pushing northward. I still have a coating of ice on everything outside my house - sidewalks, trees, power lines, fences, deck.
By morning - far southern Illinois will likely have changed over to all light rain and drizzle. This should help improve road conditions. I would not be surprised if many areas of far southern Illinois had little or no ice on roadways - same is true for far western Kentucky. Some school children will not be happy that the ice melted.
Here in Massac County at 7:30 am the temperature is between 31-33 degrees. Depending on what part of the county you are in.
Areas further north and east will still be under winter storm conditions. Portions of the State of Kentucky are experiencing a significant winter storm with heavy accumulations of snow and ice. Thankfully, (for us at least) those areas are outside of our immediate local region.
The NWS did an EXCELLENT job in forecasting this event. Local media did, as well. It was difficult for all of us - me included. Knowing where to place the rain/snow/ice line is never an easy task and sometimes changes by the hour. At one point over the last few days I was fairly certain we would remain below freezing for the entire event. I was wrong - missed it by two counties! Again - never an easy task forecasting these events. Especially when you have to throw out the models.
I can say that yesterday was a long day. Glad we are moving on past this event.
Chris Bailey continues to cover the central and eastern portions of the State of Kentucky and I would advise you to check his link at the bottom of my page. I refer to him quite often in these events.
The next few days will bring quiet weather - no significant precipitation is expected through the weekend. Can't rule out a flurry or two from time to time. Although this doesn't look likely. Will mention just in passing.
Cold temperatures will continue into next week. December is going to go down as a cold month in the record books. We will have to wait and see just how far below normal we end up.
My December forecast for cold weather and stormy weather - but now the question is becoming "what about January and February" - :) My forecast is for this pattern to turn around and bring above normal temperatures and above normal precipitation. What will happen? Can we actually turn this extremely cold weather pattern into above normal temperatures as we push into January and February?
Stay tuned!
- Meteorologist Beau Dodson
McCracken County Office of Emergency Management
Please visit Chris Bailey's weather blog if you live in central and eastern Kentucky http://www.kyweathercenter.com/
For the latest watches and warnings please visit your local National Weather Service Office http://www.weather.gov/organization.php
To view all watches and warnings in Kentucky - Click here
To view all watches and warnings in Illinois - Click here
Other States - Click Here
This site is non-profit and brought to you as a public service.
-------------------
No comments:
Post a Comment