Oh the weather outside is frightful – but it could get worse.

Monday, January 07, 2002

Oh the weather outside is frightful – but it could get worse.

According to forecast from the National Weather Service, cooler and drier air will move into the state tonight and tomorrow and a high-pressure system making its way into the state from the south will produce partly cloudy skies statewide tonight. Winds from the Northwest will cause temperatures to feel a little cooler with 10 to 15 mph winds rolling through. Increasing clouds across the north tomorrow will bring another threat of either rain or snow.

Tonight, the mercury in the thermometer will dip into the upper teens and low 20s while highs tomorrow will reach into the 30s. This could cause snow and water on roadways to freeze.

The NWS predicts that the temperature will increase on Wednesday to highs in the mid 40s, but the NWS predicts another storm front could bring snow into the area for the weekend.

Troopers from the Ironton Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol were busy last night and this morning responding to accidents stemming from diminished driving conditions. Lt. Carl Roark, Ironton post commander, said the patrol has responded to six accidents overnight and one accident this morning that involved a two-vehicle collision.

Kathleen Fuller, the public information officer for District Nine of the Ohio Department of Transportation, said all roads in the district are classified as "snow covered or partially snow covered." She said crews started working on the roads at about 5:30 a.m. Sunday and have been clearing and treating the roads ever since.

Fuller said since temperatures hovered above the freezing mark yesterday and last night, the snow melted and roads maintained a wet condition. But, with the dropping temperatures causing the wet roads to ice over and the falling snow packing on top of the ice, road conditions could continue to deteriorate, she said.

She added crews will be working throughout the district until the roads are cleared, and the salt supply is continuing to hold.

Fuller recommends motorists to watch out for black ice and to decrease speeds on the roadway. She said motorists should pay extra attention to on and off ramps to highways as well as bridges and overpasses.