Ice This Morning!

Update (12:57 am): Precipitation has come completely to an end across the area and temperatures are rising above freezing. As of 11:55 it was sitting right at the 32 at the Bowling Green-Warren County airport, meanwhile mesonet sites across the area range from 31-32. We are also seeing a good amount of sunlight penetrate the clouds.  All of these factors are suggesting that the melting process is taking place.  This of course was not before a good amount of ice this morning with 0.10-0.20 of ice accrection. This caused numerous wrecks across southern Kentucky, some of the worst of which have been on I-65 between Bowling Green and E-town; as of this time the interstate was still reportedly blocked.  Temperatures will not get too warm today however as we'll likely only reach a high around 35-36 by this afternoon.  Temperatures will fall back below freezing sometime after 6 pm and thus any residual moisture may freeze again this evening and overnight and thus caution should still be used through tomorrow morning.  Lows tonight will fall to around 23 and we'll rebound to a high tomorrow near 38 under partly to mostly sunny skies.  Below are a couple of my favorite pictures that I took while walking around the Western Kentucky campus.

Ice can be seen on Normal Drive in Bowling Green.

A glaze of ice can be seen on this car parked at WKU.

A glaze of ice can be seen in the trees on campus. You can see that we picked up  between 0.1-0.2 inches of ice.

Update (8:27 am): Freezing rain is coming to an end across the county and across much of south-central Kentucky. Generally around a tenth to 2 tenths of an inch of ice has accumulated.  Roads are slick! As already stated there have been numerous accidents this morning so staying off the roads until midday when the temperatures are warmer is advised.  Just because this precipitation is ending does not mean that the roads aren't still slick.  Until temperatures rise above freezing, which is expected between 10-12 am, icy patches will be found on roads, sidewalks, etc...  The temperature is expected to rise to around 36 degrees today.

Update: An Ice Storm Warning has been issued for Warren Co and the surrounding counties until 1 pm CST. Details: http://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=KYZ071&warncounty=KYC227&firewxzone=KYZ071&local_place1=&product1=Ice+Storm+Warning

I just wanted to do a quick update this morning.  As most know freezing rain is occurring across most of south-central KY including here in Warren Co just as we expected.  Temperatures have been holding steady in the upper 20s.  Numerous accidents have been reported including on I-65 and the Western Kentucky Parkway... roads are slick! This freezing rain is still expected to continue through around 9 am before precipitation will tapper off from west to east. Several bursts of freezing rain will move through between now and then however.  Most of the county will see 0.10-0.20 inches of ice by then.  Temperatures are still expected to warm above by noon so any lingering precipitation will not freeze and any accumulated ice can melt. If you must travel, use extreme caution.

Forecaster: Ryan Difani