Friday, January 12, 2007
ICE STORM PROGRESS
I want to update you on our current thoughts regarding the ice storm. I'm going to break this down into 3 regions to make it easier.......
Northeastern Oklahoma
Ice accumulation will be possible tonight through Sunday. Ice accumulations from 1" to 2" will be possible throughout the weekend. Travel is not recommended. Widespread power outages and tree damage is expected, so please prepare for the ice.
Northwest Arkansas
Freezing rain will occur tonight through Saturday morning. During the day on Saturday, a surface low to the south will nudge temperatures at or just above freezing, so a mix of freezing rain and rain will be possible. The exception will likely be Benton county, where freezing rain may occur all throughout your Saturday. More freezing rain is anticipated Saturday night into Sunday, where the majority of heavy ice accumulation will occur. Travel on Sunday may be very dangerous. Total ice accumulations across western Benton county may approach 2 inches. The majority of northwest Arkansas will see between .50" to 1.50" of total ice.
River Valley
Computer model guidance continues to support a freezing rain situation for Sunday across the River Valley. If those temperature projections are verified, many spots could receive between a 0.25" to an 1.00" of ice by Sunday night. Travel may become an issue, we'll continue to watch the new data.
Northeastern Oklahoma
Ice accumulation will be possible tonight through Sunday. Ice accumulations from 1" to 2" will be possible throughout the weekend. Travel is not recommended. Widespread power outages and tree damage is expected, so please prepare for the ice.
Northwest Arkansas
Freezing rain will occur tonight through Saturday morning. During the day on Saturday, a surface low to the south will nudge temperatures at or just above freezing, so a mix of freezing rain and rain will be possible. The exception will likely be Benton county, where freezing rain may occur all throughout your Saturday. More freezing rain is anticipated Saturday night into Sunday, where the majority of heavy ice accumulation will occur. Travel on Sunday may be very dangerous. Total ice accumulations across western Benton county may approach 2 inches. The majority of northwest Arkansas will see between .50" to 1.50" of total ice.
River Valley
Computer model guidance continues to support a freezing rain situation for Sunday across the River Valley. If those temperature projections are verified, many spots could receive between a 0.25" to an 1.00" of ice by Sunday night. Travel may become an issue, we'll continue to watch the new data.
Posted by Drew Michaels at 3:18 PM
12 Comments:
Should us folks in the rivervalley prepare for an ice storm??
To anonymous, only you can really make that call. Why not be prepared?
In all honesty all of these different readings are quite confusing. a half an inch of ice is enough to cause some problems, but we may get more?
So you're saying your guess is as good as anyone elses for the River Valley
I'm saying that we have to guess since it's not clear on what we will get.
Greetings,
So here is the idea of a reply that I posted of off another thread...
Earlier data today (12Z run of the NAM forecasting model) supported ice accumulations of up to 2" in Fort Smith. Later data (18Z run of same model) backed off a good bit a proposed 1/2" of ice as a solution. As more runs come in, especially tonight’s, we will look for consistency in the data and hopefully hone in on the specifics. At this point it's a good bet that Fort Smith will see some. This more than likely will cause problems on the roadways. As mentioned above, it's quite sound at this point to just be prepared in the event of both power outages and glazed roads.
As we've been mentioning throughout this entire event... we will be constantly passing along our most recent forecast and new developments.
Thanks for the great feedback and questions!
It's just interesting to watch and read all the updates from all the tv stations, the Tulsa NWS and the Weather Channel and they're all saying different things for Fort Smith. I happen to agree with the current forecast though about Fort Smith staying just above freezing because that's normally the case. It's my "donut hole" theory on how it can snow all around, but not in Fort Smith.
now...at 9:20 pm. Just southwest of West Fork, at 1900 ft...trees are all icing up as well as the sides of the house and other above ground objects. Temperature still drops when going higher in elevation.. 35 degrees in the the town of West Fork, 31-32 degrees up on the mountain...just an update
Your map does not show LeFlore Co. to be in the ice, but you state Poteau could get some, I'm confused
I have updated the map...it will be coming out shortly! Thank you all for your comments and questions.
We live about 3 miles So of Garfield on 127. We have had trees totally covered in ice and the temp. has remained on 30 all day. We were without power close to 4 hours. The ice did not all stay in the NW area.
will springdale see any ice tonight
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