Winter weather hits hard but will continue
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a special weather statement at 9:40 a.m. Wednesday, warning of hazardous travel and additional weather expected.
“An arctic cold front will continue to move through the Mid-South this morning, ushering in a reinforcing shot of arctic air. The arctic air has refrozen any lingering moisture on area roadways. Secondary roads will almost certainly be hazardous…especially if untreated. In addition, new snowfall that occurred overnight into this morning will pose additional travel hazards. Black ice may be hidden from the new snowfall. Please use extra caution when driving. Travelers should slow down and leave plenty of room between vehicles and use caution when using brakes,” said the NWS statement. “Roads will improve this afternoon thanks to plenty of sunshine. However, there still could be some lingering icy spots in shady areas continuing into tonight. Some sidewalks may still be hazardous into tonight as well.”
According to Hardeman County Sheriff John Doolen, the county has experienced 13 vehicle accidents through the course of Monday and Tuesday, with no injuries. However, the NWS warns the Mid-South could see additional winter weather this week.
“Another winter storm will move into the Mid-South Thursday night, through Friday night. Light snow will spread into the Mid-South Thursday night, with best chances occurring near the Missouri-Arkansas border. Heavier precipitation will spread into the area on Friday into Friday night as the low pressure system approaches the area. Snow will change over to sleet…then freezing rain…and eventually to all rain from south to north during this period. However, there may be an extended period of freezing rain occur from locations north of Marianna Arkansas to Tunica, Mississippi, to Corinth, Mississippi line on Friday into Friday evening. In addition, an extended period of sleet could occur for areas north of Pocahontas, Arkansas to Huntingdon, Tennessee line. Ice and sleet accumulations are likely but at this time, too hard to pinpoint exact amounts. The exact track of the low pressure system will ultimately determine precipitation types and any accumulations that may occur.”
Hardeman County, along with Bedford; Cannon; Cheatham; Clay; Coffee; Cumberland; Davidson; De Kalb; Dickson; Fayette; Fentress; Giles; Grundy; Hickman; Houston; Humphreys; Jackson; Lawrence; Lewis; Macon; Marshall; Maury; McNairy; Montgomery; Overton; Perry; Pickett; Putnam; Robertson; Rutherford; Shelby; Smith; Stewart; Sumner; Trousdale; Van Buren; Warren; Wayne; White; Williamson; and Wilson counties, remain under a Wind Chill Advisory until Thursday, February 19 at 12 p.m.
The NWS warns “ arctic air will pour into the Mid-South. Cold arctic high pressure will build into the Mid-South today (Wed) and tonight. North winds combined with very cold temperatures will produce wind chills of zero to 12 below zero this evening into Thursday mornings across much of the Mid-South. Wind chill advisory now in effect from 7 p.m. this evening (Wed) to noon CST Thursday. Wind chill values will drop to between zero and five degrees below zero. The dangerous wind chill values could cause frostbite and hypothermia with exposure as little as in 30 minutes.”
The NWS and emergency workers caution individuals to use caution when driving, ensure an emergency kit is in your vehicle and your cell phone is charged, as well as to limit exposure to the outdoors. Emergency responders and health officials caution individuals to wear hats, gloves, and extra layers of clothing when exposed to the outdoors during this time.
We will continue to follow the weather and its impact on the weather, right here at www.bulletintimesnews.com.