NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUES ICE STORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Nashville has issued an Ice Storm Warning, which is in effect from noon today to 9 am CST Saturday.

  • Timing: noon Friday to 9 am Saturday.
  • Accumulations: Up to 1 inch of snow Friday, followed by one tenth to one half inch of ice in the form of freezing rain Friday evening through early Saturday morning. Areas along and north of Interstate 40 will be the hardest hit with the best chance of approaching up to a half inch of ice.
  • Ice accumulations: one quarter to one half inch across the North half of the Mid State, one tenth to around one quarter of an inch across the South half.
  • Other impacts: major disruptions to travel are expected Friday afternoon through early Saturday morning. Gusty winds will add to the threat for falling limbs and power outages. A coating of ice already exists on trees across much of the area and this will only worsen the threat. Warming temperatures, melting snow and ice, and heavy rainfall will bring the potential for localized flooding on Saturday.

An Ice Storm Warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of ice accumulations will make travel dangerous or impossible. Travel is strongly discouraged. Commerce will likely be severely impacted. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Ice accumulations and winds will likely lead to snapped power lines and falling tree branches that add to the danger.