Updraft: November 20, 2010 Archive

Icy Chaos: Metro improves; refreeze overnight

Posted at 11:47 PM on November 20, 2010 by Paul Huttner (6 Comments)
Filed under: Freezing rain

Update: 1:45pm Sunday:

Temperatures have warmed above freezing as expected in the metro, but remain just below freezing north and west.

Temps will hover just above freezing in the metro today, but just below freezing northwest.

The freezing rain advisory has been extended this afternoon northwest of the Twin Cities.

Main roads that have been treated will be in better shape today... but any untreated sidewalks and driveways may still be ice covered in the metro, especially the northwest side.

Use extreme caution walking and driving today, and we may get some refreeze tonight into Monday morning as temps fall below freezing again.

This event shows just how vulnerable UNTREATED roadways and walkways are to ice events.

Even though this was a relatively minor icing accumulation (generally around .10" in most areas) the IMPACT was large because roadways were largely untreated. There was a good forecast of light snow and/or freezing rain going into Saturday night. Had the roads been simply pretreated they would have been wet instead of icy, and we would likely not have had nearly the number of accidents we saw in the past 24 hours.

PH

Update 12:30am Sunday:

MNDOT and others reporting literally HUNDREDS of spinouts and accidents overnight into Sunday morning. Roads are just plain impassable in many areas. Untreated roads, driveways and sidewalks are glare ice!

Car off the road at I-694 & Zane Ave.

Here are some storm reports form NWS spotters.

- 1 Se Maple Grove [Hennepin Co, MN] storm chaser reports FREEZING RAIN of E0.10 INCH at 11:10 PM CST -- 0.10 inch ice accumulation over past two hours. roads are ice covered and nearly impassable. multiple accidents and roll overs on 694 west bound in the maple grove area. 694/94 east bound is closed due to a multi car accident involving a semi truck.

-Victoria [Carver Co, MN] nws employee reports FREEZING RAIN of U0.00 INCH at 10:46 PM CST -- significant glazing of roads. numerous cars either in ditch or unable to gain traction.

-Blaine [Anoka Co, MN] trained spotter reports FREEZING RAIN of U0.00 INCH at 10:00 PM CST -- minor ice accumulation.

-Brooklyn Center [Hennepin Co, MN] storm chaser reports FREEZING RAIN of U0.00 INCH at 11:25 PM CST -- glazing of roads.

- Victoria [Carver Co, MN] nws employee reports FREEZING RAIN of U0.00 INCH at 11:25 PM CST -- significant glazing of roads. numerous cars either in ditch or unable to gain traction.

-Annandale [Wright Co, MN] law enforcement reports FREEZING RAIN of U0.00 INCH at 11:51 PM CST -- many vehicles leaving the roadway.

Conditions will improve by midday Sunday as temperures warm above freezing.

PH

Roads in much of central Minnesota including the metro are like a skating rink late Saturday night and into Sunday morning.

Freezing rain advisories are in effect through Sunday morning.

A band of freezing rain has coated everything, including sidewalks and power lines. The good news is accumulations will be on the lighter side, generally under .10" or so. That should not cause widespread power outages due to down trees or lines.

The bad news is it only takes .10" to form glaze ice on roadways and walkways. Be careful walking! Many ER visits during icing events are from people who fell while walking! Once roads are treated they will be better, but I personally observed several cars skidding and slipping uphill in the west metro Saturday evening. Roads are glaze ice in many areas.

MNDOT reports numerous accidents overnight.

I-94 jammed at Cretin late Saturday night.

Highway 100 northbound at Excelsior Blvd also jammed.

Glare on ice covered MNDOT camera tells the story.

Accident at I-35 & Hiawatha

Car sideways on I-494 at Highway 7 in Minnetonka!

Warmer temps Sunday:

The icing should last into Sunday morning, but warmer air will push temps above freezing by late Sunday morning, and that should help conditions improve as the ice begins to melt.

I'm still tracking a potentially major travel headache for Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving. Snow, wind and cold temps may create a travel nightmare Wednesday and Wednesday night into early Thanksgiving Day.

Right now Tuesday looks like the best travel day before Thanksgiving. Fortunately travel may improve (no big storms) Friday thorugh Sunday of next weekend. Plan accordingly.

PH

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