- The Saturday Six: Heinz searches for a man who survived off ketchup packets while lost at sea, winter is getting warmer — and weirder — and more CBS News
- Ketchup helped him survive weeks lost at sea. Now Heinz wants to buy him a new boat CNN
- Heinz trying to find ‘ketchup boat guy’ who survived lost at sea for 24 days – KION546 KION
- Heinz launches appeal to find ‘ketchup boat guy’ who survived nearly a month at sea on nothing but ketchup and seasoning Fortune
- Heinz searching for ‘ketchup boat guy’ WPXI Pittsburgh
- View Full Coverage on Google News
Tag Archives: winter
Chicago weather: Winter storm forecast to dump several inches of snow on parts of area Thursday – WLS-TV
- Chicago weather: Winter storm forecast to dump several inches of snow on parts of area Thursday WLS-TV
- Chicago First Alert Weather: Windy Wednesday, snow on the way CBS Chicago
- Calm before the storm: Winter Storm Watch issued for southeastern Wisconsin Thursday TMJ4 News
- Chicago weather forecast: Winter Storm Watch issued for McHenry, Boone, Ogle, Winnebago counties with heavy snow forecast Thursday WLS-TV
- More than 6 inches of snow possible in parts of Carroll, Whiteside, Ogle and McHenry counties Shaw Local News Network
- View Full Coverage on Google News
Groundhog Day 2023: Punxsutawney Phil predicts more winter
PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (AP) — A furry critter in a western Pennsylvania town has predicted six more weeks of winter during an annual Groundhog Day celebration.
People gathered Thursday at Gobbler’s Knob as members of Punxsutawney Phil’s “inner circle” summoned the groundhog from his tree stump at dawn to learn if he has seen his shadow — and they say he did. According to folklore, if he sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t, spring comes early.
The “inner circle” is a group of local dignitaries who are responsible for planning the events, as well as feeding and caring for Phil himself.
The annual event in Punxsutawney, about 65 miles (105 kilometers) northeast of Pittsburgh, originated from a German legend about a furry rodent. The gathering annually attracts thousands.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration compared Punxsutawney Phil’s forecast to the national weather the last 10 years and found “on average, Phil has gotten it right 40% of the time.”
This year, Phil’s prediction came during a week when a mess of ice, sleet and snow has lingered across much of the southern U.S.
According to records dating back to 1887, Phil has predicted winter more than 100 times. Ten years were lost because no records were kept, organizers said.
The 2021 and 2022 forecasts also called for six more weeks of winter.
While Punxsutawney Phil may be the most famous groundhog seer, he’s certainly not the only one. New York City’s Staten Island Chuck made his prediction for an early spring during an event Thursday at the Staten Island Zoo. Phil and Chuck are among a broad selection of rodents that purportedly predict weather.
More than 170,000 Austin Energy customers are without power as a winter storm hits Central Texas
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More than 30% of Austin Energy customers don’t have power Wednesday afternoon as a winter storm continues to roll through Central Texas, causing ice to accumulate on power lines, utility poles and tree limbs.
The electric utility says crews are working to fix the outages — which have grown throughout the day — but icy roadways and frozen equipment are slowing things down.
“It is not possible to provide estimated restoration times,” Austin Energy said in a tweet at 11:30 a.m. “It’s possible some customers may be without power for 12-24 hours.”
The utility company advised customers to make emergency plans and prepare to relocate, if needed, before 5 p.m.
The outages, which have affected more than 170,000 residential and commercial electricity users, are being caused by local issues; they’re not the result of a statewide electric grid problem. Williamson and Hays counties are also seeing outages.
Austin Energy customers can report a power outage by calling 512-322-9100 or texting “OUT” to 287846. They can also report and check on the status of outages on Austin Energy’s outage map.
Downed power lines have also caused problems for drivers. Just before 3 p.m., Interstate 35 in North Austin was shut down in both directions from Wells Branch to Grand Avenue Parkway because of fallen lines, the Travis County Sheriff’s Office tweeted. The southbound frontage road at Grand Avenue was also closed. The Texas Department of Transportation said all lanes had reopened around 4 p.m.
TxDOT continues to urge people to stay off the roads if they can. Here’s what to know if you do need to drive. The power outages are also affecting Austin traffic signals. If you come across a traffic light that is not working or is flashing red, treat it as a four-way stop.
Residents in Travis County District 10, around West Lake Hills, have been asked to conserve water because of a power outage at the McConnel Pump Station. The county said Austin Energy is working to restore service.
The power went out for Northwest Austin resident India Gail this morning around 9. A couple hours into the outage, she started walking in the cold with her twin daughters and their dog to get to a friend’s house that had power to wait out the outage.
“They want to watch TV,” Gail said, referring to her 5-year-old daughters. “If it was just me, I might stick it out longer.”
She wasn’t sure when they would get it back on, so she and her family packed some food and crafts — and put their dog Mango into a sweater — and set out.
“We’re going to go hang over there and keep warm and store our food,” she said, carrying a bag of yogurt, lunch meat and cheese.
Closures and cancellations
Many Central Texas school districts and businesses remained closed Wednesday. The National Weather Service is expecting freezing rain to continue through Thursday morning, so more closures are ahead.
Austin ISD, Del Valle ISD, Pflugerville ISD and Round Rock ISD have announced closures for Thursday. (Visit your local school district’s website for the latest information.) UT Austin will also remain closed Thursday.
Capital Metro services were suspended Wednesday. The agency said it plans to resume bus service Thursday, but it won’t be on a normal schedule: Buses won’t get on the road until 10 a.m. and they’ll be on a reduced schedule. MetroRail will not run Thursday.
Most local government offices and facilities are closed — including in the cities of Austin, San Marcos and Georgetown, as well as Travis, Hays and Williamson counties.
Some Austin-area H-E-B stores are currently closed, and others have adjusted hours. Many will close at 6 p.m. Wednesday. See a full list here.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s runways and roads are open, said Sam Haynes, an airport spokesperson.
“The airport is really quiet right now. We haven’t had to de-ice anything on the airfield but the north side of the property with the roadways and parking structures have had some ice pop up,” Haynes said. “Some walkways and stairwells are closed but all roadways are open.”
The airport has had more than 300 canceled flights in the last 24 hours, according to Flight Aware.
Where to stay warm
People who need a warm place to stay in Austin can head to one of these warming centers, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday:
- Little Walnut Creek Branch Library, 835 W. Rundberg Ln
- Terrazas Branch Library, 1105 E. Cesar Chavez St.
- Turner-Roberts Recreation Center, 7201 Colony Loop Dr.
- Austin Recreation Center, 1301 Shoal Creek
Those who need transportation to a warming center should call 311.
Cold weather shelters will be available Wednesday night. Anyone who needs a warm place to stay can head to One Texas Center at 505 Barton Springs Road to register between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. You will then be taken to a shelter. You can call 512-305-4233 for more information on shelters.
Follow along for updates from the National Weather Service:
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Winter weather storm warning extended to Thursday morning
The cold weather and icy conditions coating North Texas are likely to continue through Thursday morning as the National Weather Service extends its winter weather storm warning.
The warning, originally set to last Monday through Wednesday, is now set to expire at 6 a.m. Thursday.
The storm — which brought freezing rain, sleet, and iced over roadways, to the region Monday — caused schools and businesses to close through at least Tuesday, canceled flights out of DFW International and Love Field airports, and sent cars sliding on the highways.
“Widespread icing on bridges and overpasses as well as surface streets is expected with travel significantly impacted,” the weather service said. “There is a low chance of some downed powerlines and tree damage due to ice.”
A live radar can be viewed below, along with the latest updates from reporters at The Dallas Morning News:
11:02 a.m.: City garbage collection canceled
The City of Dallas’ garbage and recycling collection was canceled Tuesday due to road conditions, officials said. It was unclear if the pickups would resume Wednesday.
10:38 a.m.: Storm moves over Dallas
The storm shifted over Dallas, bringing with it light to moderate sleet and freezing rain in some areas, according to the weather service. Sleet accumulation could increase to a half-inch or inch.
10:38 AM: This line of light to moderate sleet has shifted east and is over the Dallas side of the Metroplex, over areas north and east. Expect sleet accumulations of up to 0.5 inches, perhaps up to 1 inch. Freezing rain could be falling with this as well. #dfwwx #txwx pic.twitter.com/PZVeV5MOVo
— NWS Fort Worth (@NWSFortWorth) January 31, 2023
10:28 a.m.: Wreck shuts down I-35 in Denton
A stretch of northbound I-35W in Denton is closed due to a jackknifed 18-wheeler blocking all lanes, Denton police said on Twitter. Traffic is being diverted at the Crawford exit to Highway 377.
Lanes will be closed until at least 11:30 a.m. Drivers should seek alternate routes, police say.
9:50 a.m.: Flights canceled
DFW International Airport said on Twitter that it is monitoring the forecast and treating runways, roads, bridges and pedestrian walkways for ice.
Passengers should check their flight status with the airline before heading to the airport, allow extra time to get there and approach entrance plazas with caution, the airport said.
By mid-morning Tuesday, more than one-third of flights in and out of DFW and Dallas Love Airport had been canceled, according to FlightAware, a flight tracking site.
Live radar
9:40 a.m.: As several city buildings close, libraries set to open
The hazardous road conditions caused several city buildings to close Tuesday, including Dallas Municipal Court and all recreation centers.
As of 8:15 a.m., city libraries — which double as warming centers during inclement weather — are set to open at noon, but city officials say people should call locations ahead of time to verify they’re open before heading over.
Additionally, a scheduled city council committee meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday was postponed until Feb. 7.
8:49 a.m.: Business as usual in some places
The Kroger on E. Mockingbird Lane was open for business despite the icy roads surrounding it Tuesday morning. The parking lot was a mix of slush and newly fallen freezing rain.
About a dozen customers walked through the aisles, grabbing last-minute foods and necessities as an intercom announcement echoed: “Attention employees: Please report to Starbucks for a free coffee.”
The nearby 7/11 at the corner of Greenville Avenue was also open for customers needing to fill up on coffee or gas.
7:45 a.m.: ‘Thunder sleet’ begins to move through D-FW
Just after 7:30 a.m., the National Weather Service said a “moderate band” of sleet was beginning to move through the metroplex, in addition to areas both west and east.
The weather service said to expect a few isolated thunderstorms with bursts of both sleet and freezing rain to continue throughout the morning, adding sleet accumulations will “average a quarter of an inch, with isolated totals up to one inch.”
“This will lead to ice packed roads and treacherous driving conditions,” the weather service said.
In the Hollywood-Santa Monica neighborhood of East Dallas, on the edge of Lakewood, the “thunder sleet” began falling at 7:50 a.m. so furiously that in three minutes, the roads and rooftops went from looking completely clear to covered in white.
As Dallas Morning News columnist Sharon Grigsby described the scene: “It sounds like glass breaking on the roof.”
6 a.m: Icy roads
North Texans have been urged to stay home throughout the storm if possible, but Dallas city officials said for those still needing to make a commute, TxDOT work crews are on 24-hour shifts to treat roads and highways.
Madison Schein, a TxDOT Dallas spokeswoman, said people who have to drive should plan routes ahead of time and to look for information on drivetexas.org.
“We started pretreating roads with brine a few days ago and we’re continuing with brine,” Schein said. “Now we’re doing salt and sand mix as needed and we’ll continue to adjust our operations as the storm moves through our area.”
The city said it will also be using a salt and sand mixture to treat roads close to emergency facilities and icy bridges.
Hundreds of drivers were in a multi-hour gridlock Tuesday morning on Interstate 20 in Palo Pinto and Parker counties. The traffic resulted in at least a 20-mile backup, KDFW-TV reported.
Traffic Alert (Parker County) Eastbound I20 west of Weatherford has been gridlocked for hours due to “treacherous conditions impacting travel,” says TxDOT. Many residents have sat in traffic going on 4+ hours with no relief in sight. pic.twitter.com/RnuQmhuT7k
— DFW Scanner (@DFWscanner) January 31, 2023
In the Fort Worth area, there were more than 140 reported motor vehicle collisions with reported injuries as of 5 a.m. Tuesday, including 16 were rollover crashes, according to Matt Zavadsky, a spokesman for MedStar.
There were also eight hypothermia-related calls, Zavadsky said. Seven people required hospitalization and five of those were in serious condition.
In addition, nine people were injured in falls from slipping on ice, Zavadsky said.
“Out of an abundance of caution,” Zavadsky said MedStar suspended the use of lights and siren responses as of 11:30 p.m. Monday to prevent crashes as motorists attempt to move out of the way for ambulances.
“An ambulance that does not arrive on the scene of an emergency is not able to help patients,” he said. “It’s better, and safer, to respond a little slower, assure we arrive, and don’t cause any injuries on the way to the call.”
Grid expected to meet demand
The Public Utility Commission of Texas and Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, the state’s main grid operator, have said they expect the grid to be able to handle “forecasted demand” brought on by this week’s storm.
In a written statement Monday afternoon, Peter Lake, the chairman of the utility commission, echoed ERCOT’s message and said people should continue reporting local outages.
“Our biggest concern is power line safety, especially in areas that experience icing,” Lake wrote. “Ice can weigh down lines and topple tree limbs causing local power outages.”
Weather warms up later in the week
The forecast calls for more sleet and freezing rain Tuesday with temperatures hovering in the high 20s all day. Up to a half inch of ice could accumulate.
Travel has the potential to become “life-threatening,” according to the weather service. Road conditions could improve by the afternoon, but water on the roads could freeze once again overnight, worsening conditions for Wednesday morning.
These conditions continue Wednesday before warming up to the 40s with rain on Thursday. The weekend should be sunny with temperatures in the 50s and 60s.
PHOTOS: Winter weather hits Dallas-Fort Worth
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[1/33] An icy mix covers a subdivision on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, in Roanoke. Dallas and other parts of North Texas are under a winter storm warning through Wednesday.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
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[2/33] An icy mix covers Texas 114 on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, in Roanoke. Dallas and other parts of North Texas are under a winter storm warning through Wednesday.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
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[3/33] An icy mix covers the a Home Depot parking lot on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, in Roanoke. Dallas and other parts of North Texas are under a winter storm warning through Wednesday.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
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[4/33] The Bank of America tower disappears in a haze of freezing rain as motorists drive along Elm Street in downtown Dallas, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. Several North Texas school districts canceled classes for Tuesday as wintry weather made roads icy and dangerous.(Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer)
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[5/33] A longhorn chews on hay in a snow-covered field along Justin Road in Copper Canyon, near Highland Village and Double Oak, on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for Dallas County and other parts of North Texas starting Monday afternoon through Wednesday morning.(Liesbeth Powers / Staff Photographer)
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[6/33] Shoppers at a Costco store in Plano navigate a cold rain in the parking lot on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. Dallas and other parts of North Texas are under a winter storm warning through Wednesday.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
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[7/33] Shoppers at a Costco store in Plano navigate a cold rain as they head to their cars on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. Dallas and other parts of North Texas are under a winter storm warning through Wednesday.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
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[8/33] People wait to board a DART train at the Baylor University Medical Center Station in Dallas, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. Several North Texas school districts canceled classes for Tuesday as wintry weather made roads icy and dangerous.(Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer)
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[9/33] Cam Paty (left), 7, and Miles Alford, 11, tumble out of their sleds as they and Case Paty (right), 12, are pulled by Sarah and Justin Paty on an ATV through the front yard of the Paty’s home along FM 1830 in Argyle after snowfall in North Texas on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023.(Liesbeth Powers / Staff Photographer)
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[10/33] Case Paty (front), 12, looks forward as Cam Paty (center), 7, holds on and Miles Alford, 11, runs to catch up with their sleds being pulled by Sarah and Justin Paty on an ATV through the front yard of the Paty’s home along FM 1830 in Argyle after snowfall in North Texas on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. (Liesbeth Powers / Staff Photographer)
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[11/33] An icy mix covers Texas 114 on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, in Roanoke. Dallas and other parts of North Texas are under a winter storm warning through Wednesday.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
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[12/33] Hazardous driving conditions force the closure of the ramp from Bush Turnpike to IH-35E on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, in Dallas. Dallas and other parts of North Texas are under a winter storm warning through Wednesday.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
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[13/33] Cesar Montoya of Integrity Porter and Services salts a walkway outside a Fiesta Mart in Northeast Dallas, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. Several North Texas school districts canceled classes for Tuesday as wintry weather made roads icy and dangerous.(Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer)
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[14/33] Cesar Montoya of Integrity Porter and Services salts a walkway outside a Fiesta Mart in Northeast Dallas, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. Several North Texas school districts canceled classes for Tuesday as wintry weather made roads icy and dangerous.(Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer)
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[15/33] Shoppers at a Costco store in Plano navigate a cold rain as they head to their cars on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. Dallas and other parts of North Texas are under a winter storm warning through Wednesday.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
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[16/33] An American Airlines aircraft undergoes deicing procetures on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, at DFW Airport. Dallas and other parts of North Texas are under a winter storm warning through Wednesday.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
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[17/33] Signs on the Bush Turnpike warn of icy driving condition on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, in Plano. Dallas and other parts of North Texas are under a winter storm warning through Wednesday.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
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[18/33] An American Airlines aircraft undergoes deicing procetures on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, at DFW Airport. Dallas and other parts of North Texas are under a winter storm warning through Wednesday.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
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[19/33] An American Airlines aircraft undergoes deicing procetures on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, at DFW Airport. Dallas and other parts of North Texas are under a winter storm warning through Wednesday.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
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[20/33] Frozen rainwater on the bumper of a parked car in Dallas on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023.(Lola Gomez / Staff Photographer)
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[21/33] Several Southwest flights canceled at the Dallas Love Field in Dallas on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023.(Lola Gomez / Staff Photographer)
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[22/33] Canadian Brian Hrynkow runs in freezing temperatures at White Rock Lake in Dallas on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. Rain showers are expected daily through Thursday, with the possibility of freezing rain on Monday and Tuesday, according to a Sunday forecast from the National Weather Service.(Liesbeth Powers / Staff Photographer)
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[23/33] A heron flies out over White Rock Lake in Dallas on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. Rain showers are expected daily through Thursday, with the possibility of freezing rain on Monday and Tuesday, according to a Sunday forecast from the National Weather Service.(Liesbeth Powers / Staff Photographer)
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[24/33] Winter weather warnings flash above traffic on Woodall Rodgers Freeway in downtown Dallas on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for Dallas County and other parts of North Texas starting Monday afternoon through Wednesday morning.(Liesbeth Powers / Staff Photographer)
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[25/33] A weather sign up at S Charles St in Lewisville on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023.(Lola Gomez / Staff Photographer)
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[26/33] Motorists travel cautiously along southbound U.S. 75 through the High Five interchange at I-635 in Dallas, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. North Texas is under a winter storm warning as freezing rain and sleet are expected to make travel hazardous.(Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer)
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[27/33] Bags of ice melt sit on a pallet at Elliott’s Hardware in Dallas, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. North Texas is under a winter storm warning as freezing rain and sleet are expected to make travel hazardous.(Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer)
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[28/33] A TXDOT sign warns of winter weather along I-635 in Dallas, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. North Texas is under a winter storm warning as freezing rain and sleet are expected to make travel hazardous.(Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer)
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[29/33] An icy mix covers Texas 114 on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, in Roanoke. Dallas and other parts of North Texas are under a winter storm warning through Wednesday.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
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[30/33] A young longhorn gets milk from its mother as she and other longhorns chew on hay in a snow-covered field along Justin Road in Copper Canyon, near Highland Village and Double Oak, on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for Dallas County and other parts of North Texas starting Monday afternoon through Wednesday morning.(Liesbeth Powers / Staff Photographer)
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[31/33] Sleet covers a bridge at Churchill Way and U.S. 75 in Dallas, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. North Texas is under a winter storm warning as freezing rain and sleet are expected to make travel hazardous.(Elías Valverde II / Staff Photographer)
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[32/33] An icy mix covers Highway 114 on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, in Roanoke. Dallas and other parts of North Texas are under a winter storm warning through Wednesday.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
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[33/33] A Double Oak water tower overlooks cars driving slowly in the snow on Justin Road on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch for Dallas County and other parts of North Texas starting Monday afternoon through Wednesday morning.(Liesbeth Powers / Staff Photographer)
[1/33] An icy mix covers a subdivision on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, in Roanoke. Dallas and other parts of North Texas are under a winter storm warning through Wednesday.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
Winter ice storm: Millions across the South and central US brace as officials urge staying off roads
CNN
—
A winter storm bringing the triple threat of ice, sleet and snow Tuesday to parts of the South and central US has prompted officials to close roads and schools as they urge people to avoid traveling in dangerous conditions.
About 38 million people from Texas and Oklahoma to as far east as Kentucky and West Virginia are under various forms of winter weather alerts, including those warning of dangerous ice accumulations forecast to make roads a nightmare.
“In addition to potentially hazardous travel conditions, this amount of ice will lead to tree damage and power outages across the hardest-hit regions,” the National Weather Service warned in its forecast Monday.
In Texas, residents in cities including Dallas, San Antonio and Austin can expect icy roads as well as some sleet Tuesday, when heavy rain and flash flooding are also possible in the eastern parts of the state.
Amid such conditions, the governor has requested the state’s emergency management division to increase its resources so it can be ready to respond through Thursday.
The storm has also led several school districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and Austin to close Tuesday, and more than 400 flights departing from Texas airports have been cancelled. Multiple roadways in Texas have been shut down due to ice accumulation, according to the state’s transportation department.
As ice began forming on roads in Little Rock, Arkansas, the governor declared a state of emergency Monday and activated the winter weather support teams of the state’s National Guard to be prepared in helping police in their response to the storm.
“I encourage Arkansans who are experiencing winter weather to avoid travel if possible and heed the warnings of local officials,” Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said on Twitter.
The emergency order directs $250,000 toward discretionary use by the head of the state’s Division of Emergency Management to provide funding for program and administrative costs, the order stated.
“The real enemy is going to be that ice,” said Dave Parker, a spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Transportation. “This could potentially be a pretty dangerous situation.”
Parker added that majority of the state is expected to be impacted, and the state is treating most major roads.
By late Monday, ice had already spread across grounds in Memphis, Tennessee, and Louisville, Kentucky, as well as Texas, where at least a few car crashes were reported in Austin with no injuries.
The storm is poised to produce a mix of wintry precipitation ranging from rain and sleet to ice and it will hit areas in the southern and central regions in waves through Wednesday.
And while the forecast shows there will be periods of reprieve over the next two days, roads will likely remain dangerously slick throughout the storm as temperatures remain low.
Indeed, Tuesday is expected to be the toughest day for driving as Texas bridges and roads become icy, according to the weather service’s Fort Worth office.
“More widespread freezing rain/sleet is expected Tuesday and Wednesday morning, with worsening travel impacts during this time,” the local weather agency said.
Significant icing of about half of an inch is expected on roads in Austin, San Angelo and Dallas while San Antonio may see up to a tenth of an inch of ice.
Meantime, Texas’ primary electricity provider, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, told CNN it will be able to meet residents’ demand as temperatures plummet.
“We expect sufficient generation to meet forecasted demand and are continuing to monitor forecasts, this week. We are not asking for Conservation at this time. We are informing the public that IF they are experience an outage to reach out to their local power provider,” the agency said in an email.
Elsewhere in the South, up to a half of an inch of ice could glaze roads in Memphis, Tennessee. In the state’s Dyer County, icy conditions led officials to shut down the I-155 bridge, according to the highway patrol.
Meanwhile, Little Rock in Arkansas is forecast to see multiple rounds of ice that could amass up to half an inch.
In neighboring Oklahoma, residents in Oklahoma City are under a winter weather advisory through Wednesday afternoon, with the expectation of seeing up to two tenths of an inch of ice.
Icing up to two-tenths of an inch could be seen in Louisville, Kentucky, while Charleston, West Virginia, can see sleet up to an inch and ice up to a tenth of an inch.
About 1,000 US flights canceled as winter weather snarls travel
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(CNN) — Nearly 1,000 Monday flights have been canceled in the US as winter weather moves through the middle of the country.
Most of the cancellations so far are affecting Dallas Love Field and Dallas-Fort Worth International airports in Texas.
As of about 4:30 p.m. ET, about 990 flights within, into or out of the US had been canceled Monday, according to flight tracking site FlightAware, with more than 3,600 delays.
About half of those cancellations are Southwest Airlines flights. The Dallas-based airline, which had an operations meltdown over the holidays, had canceled about 12% of its Monday schedule — about 480 flights, according to FlightAware.
Southwest Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment. As recently as Monday morning, CEO Bob Jordan was outlining fixes to prevent a repeat of the airline’s Christmas travel meltdown.
By contrast, fellow Texas-based carrier American Airlines canceled 6% of its Monday schedule. American had canceled about 200 US flights by 4:30 p.m. ET Monday.
Regional carrier SkyWest had canceled about 140 flights by Monday afternoon.
Cancellations were already piling up for Tuesday flights, with more than 700 canceled system wide by Monday afternoon.
In addition to widespread cancellations in Dallas on Monday and Tuesday, about 200 Monday flights were also canceled in and out of Denver International Airport in Colorado. For Tuesday, more than 100 flights in and out of Austin, Texas, had already been canceled by Monday afternoon.
There’s a winter storm warning in effect for a large portion of Texas, including the Dallas-Fort Worth area, until 6 a.m. Central Time on Wednesday.
Weather waivers for travelers
Southwest Airlines issued a winter weather waiver on Sunday and had extended waivers by midday Monday to a dozen airports in Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arkansas and Kentucky. The latest waivers apply to travel from January 30 to February 1.
American Airlines issued a waiver on Sunday for Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) that applies to travel from January 29 to February 2.
Delta and United have also issued weather waivers. Their Monday operations were not significantly impacted by cancellations.
Dallas Love Field tweeted on Monday that its team “stands ready to treat and clear surfaces to allow for safe operations.” DFW was also preparing for bad weather.
Both airports urged travelers to check with their airlines for flight status before going to the airport.
Dangerous driving conditions
“If you must travel, slow down and use extreme caution particularly when approaching bridges and overpasses,” the Texas warning says.
Top image: Motorists in Dallas face wintry conditions. Credit: KTVT
Winter Weather Advisory Expands, Now Covers All of Northern Illinois, NW Indiana – NBC Chicago
The National Weather Service has expanded an existing winter weather advisory for all of northern Illinois and northwest Indiana, with snow expected to snarl traffic during the morning commute in most locations.
According to the latest guidance, the advisory will take effect at various times throughout the area, with anywhere from 1-to-6 inches of snow possible by Wednesday evening, with parts of central Illinois and central Indiana seeing the heaviest accumulations.
The new advisory will take effect at midnight in LaSalle, Kendall, Grundy, southern Cook, Will and Kankakee counties in Illinois, as well as Lake, Porter, Newton and Jasper counties in Indiana.
The Illinois counties will remain under that advisory until 6 p.m., as will Newton and Jasper counties, according to the alert. Areas closer to Lake Michigan, including Lake and Porter counties in Indiana, will remain under the advisory until midnight Thursday.
While exact snowfall predictions are still being dialed in, the National weather Service says that the highest accumulations will likely occur in central Illinois and in Indiana, with Lake, Porter, Newton and Jasper counties potentially seeing 3-to-6 inches of snow, with some locally-higher totals possible.
In Illinois, areas south of Interstate 80 could see between 2-to-4 inches of accumulation, with the morning commute being largely impacted by the snowfall.
Lake and DuPage counties, as well as north and central Cook County, will go under the advisory at 3 a.m. and will remain under the advisory until 9 p.m.
Those areas closer to the lake could see slightly-larger accumulations, with 2-to-4 inches of snow possible.
Finally, McHenry, DeKalb and Kane counties will be under an advisory from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those counties should see less-intense accumulations, but road conditions Wednesday morning could still be hazardous.
The Wednesday snowfall is the first of several disturbances that could bring wintry weather to the area, with another clipper system expected to arrive Friday and several more rounds of snow possible on Saturday and into Sunday, according to the NBC 5 Storm Team.
Winter Storm Warning, Winter Weather Advisory issued across the region; Snow, wintery mix expected – WHIO TV 7 and WHIO Radio
A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the entire Miami Valley through 7 p.m. Sunday. Around 1-2 inches of snow is expected throughout the day.
A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for Butler, Greene, Montgomery, Preble and Warren Counties until 7 p.m.
>>TRACK THE CONDITIONS: Live Doppler 7 Radar
QUICK-LOOK FORECAST:
- Snow showers through the day
- Winter Weather Advisory issued for entire region through 7 p.m.
- More snow at times next week
DETAILED FORECAST:
SUNDAY: Snow showers move into the Miami Valley through the morning. Accumulation of around an inch or two is possible. Some rain may mix in later in the day as temperatures rise above freezing.
MONDAY: Mostly cloudy and seasonably cool on Monday with a high in the middle to upper 30s. Few flurries are possible.
TUESDAY: Partly cloudy with temperatures slightly above normal around 40 degrees. Clouds return Tuesday night as well as the chance for a light wintry mix.
WEDNESDAY: Snow showers are expected, which may mix with rain as a strong area of low-pressure tracks through the regions. The storm track is still to be determined, but there seems to be a good expectation of accumulating snow and impacts on travel.
THURSDAY: Cloudy, blustery, and cold with a few flurries possible. Highs in the lower 30s.
FRIDAY: Cloudy with a flurry possible. Highs in the lower 30s.
SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy and cold. Highs in the mid 30s.
©2023 Cox Media Group
Londoners ‘badly hit’ by Covid-like winter bug
L
ondoners have been badly hit by a bug that “feels like Covid but isn’t”, research shows.
Research from INEOS Hygienics suggested hundreds of thousands of people were off work last week.
Over half of people surveyed said they had felt “the most sick they have ever been” with a winter bug. Many people have reported feeling sick over the Christmas period and beyond with a bug with Covid-like symptoms, but they then tested negative for the virus.
The research found almost half [49%] of Londoners blame themselves for falling ill this winter, with care-free socialising [36%], poor hand hygiene [29%], poor diet [25%] and excess alcohol [18%] on the run up to and over the festive season.
In the week ending 7th January 2023, INEOS Hygienics witnessed a 43 percent uplift in sales across its hand hygiene products compared to the previous week, highlighting that people are increasingly investing in preventative health once again.
Fran Millar, the company’s CEO said: “Over three quarters [85%] of Londoners fear falling sick again this winter. So, if handwashing fatigue has set in in your household, it’s worth remembering that just 30 seconds of it regularly can help mitigate feeling under the weather for weeks.
“With reports of hospitalisations on the rise and increased pressure on the NHS, we need to act quickly to help protect ourselves and the people around us.
“Keeping our hands clean and sanitised is one of the most effective routes we can take to prevent getting sick and stop the spread of viruses and bacteria.”