I just received an e-mail from the CCC’s director of safety. He attended a Shelby County Emergency Management meeting this morning and learned more about the weather event that will happen in the next 24 hours.
It’s being classified as a “major winter storm event” with the onset of rain. This may change to freezing rain and sleet around 3 AM tomorrow morning, with possible ice accumulation of 1/4 inch on the roads. The sleet should then change to snow with accumulation of 4-8″ by Friday evening. Temps will be around freezing at the start, then dropping into the 20s, and may not get above freezing before Sunday afternoon.
In addition, wind could make things worse at 15-25 mph with gusts to 25-30. The wind, combined with the weight of ice, could knock down tree limbs and power lines.
As the safety director noted in the e-mail I received, weather forecasting is not an exact science, but fortune favors the prepared mind. Y’all be careful out there. One thing to keep in mind is that even if temps are 33-34 or so, slightly above freezing, during morning rush hour, they’re likely to drop into the 20s and ice everything over while people are at work. So, if it looks like you can drive to work in the morning, keep in mind that you might not be able to make it back home.
Just wanted to pass that info along… I have news about a new place doing Sunday brunch and a Haiti benefit, but I think that it’s important that the weather info stays up top for the afternoon.