Freezing Your Hoohas Off - Precipitation - Keeping Warm (Murfreesboro: live, move)

[LauraC]

I'm worried about you guys that have to go back to work tomorrow. The National Weather Service says in East Tennessee

MUCH COLDER TEMPERATURES WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION TODAY AND TONIGHT BEHIND A STRONG COLD FRONT. A STRONG UPPER LEVEL DISTURBANCE WILL DROP SOUTHEAST INTO THE REGION OVERNIGHT... WITH SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS AND FLURRIES DEVELOPING OVER THE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU...CENTRAL AND NORTHERN VALLEY COUNTIES OF EAST TENNESSEE...AND MOST OF SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA.

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT SNOWFALL OF 3 TO 5 INCHES IS EXPECTED TO OCCUR IN THE NORTHERN AND SMOKY MOUNTAINS OF EAST TENNESSEE...WITH A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINING IN EFFECT FOR THOSE AREAS. ELSEWHERE...SNOWFALL OF GENERALLY 1 TO 4 INCHES COULD ACCUMULATE ACROSS SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA BY WEDNESDAY MORNING...MAINLY ABOVE 2500 FEET. A DUSTING UP TO 2 INCHES OF SNOW MAY ACCUMULATE ON THE HIGHEST TERRAIN OF THE NORTHERN CUMBERLAND PLATEAU. LITTLE TO NO SNOW ACCUMULATION IS ANTICIPATED FOR VALLEY LOCATIONS.

IN ADDITION TO THE SNOW...LOWS TONIGHT WILL BE IN THE TEENS TO LOWER 20S. THE COLD TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH NORTHWEST WINDS OF 15 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 35 MPH...WILL CREATE WIND CHILL TEMPERATURES FROM 10 DEGREES ABOVE TO 10 BELOW ZERO OVER THE HIGHER TERRAIN.

Okay, the snow is no big deal but I'm worried about the potential for ice. I looked at the hour-by-hour forecast tomorrow for Oak Ridge and the temps don't get above 27 degrees tomorrow plus in the morning (6AM - 9AM)when most of you do your morning drive, and when the precipitation will be occuring, with the wind chill factor the temperature will feel like less than 8 degrees even though the actual temps are between 19 and 21.

Please be careful when you drive. It might not look like ice but don't take the chance and drive fast. I remember back in the 90s when they had horrendous icy conditions in the Nashville area.

Anyone have any rituals for keeping warm (c'mon, you can tell us about the union suits and bunny slippers, we won't tell anyone)? Recipes or favorite things to eat or drink when it's cold outside? How do you warm up the car before you go out? Who scrapes the ice off the windshield in your house?

For people who are new to Tennessee (first winter) do you know how the roads are taken care of in your area? Did you keep your ice scraper from your former state of residence?


Happy New Year!

[Kim918]

Hi Laura,

Happy New Year!
This is my first winter in TN, but I know winter as I am originially from NY, but recently moved from Florida (yes a halfback). I bought an ice scraper here, when I found out about rime ice, I believe that is what it is called. I have used it several times already. Saved lots of time for me. I did the hot water thing once. Big mistake! I poured it on the windshield first and then made my way around the car and by the time I got back to the windshield it was frozen again. LOL! What a dummy! The ice scraper is my friend now.

I did hear that they lay down brine on Old Fort Parkway here in Murfreesboro when they think there will be a real freeze.

Good advice about driving slow. I sure hope people heed your advice. Especially those that are inexperienced in this type of weather. Sliding on ice on the road is scary.

[jabogitlu]

It would have to be an awfully severe storm to waylay me in downtown Johnson City...

... BUT! I am spending a few days at my parents house. Let's just say they're close enough to North Carolina to be able to call Madison County home. Last I heard, there were calls for up to a foot of snow in the mountains here. (But your warning of 3-5 inches is probably more correct.)

I sure hope I can make the hour drive to work!

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by Kim918

Hi Laura,

Happy New Year!
This is my first winter in TN, but I know winter as I am originially from NY, .

Me too and me too.

Originally Posted by Kim918

but recently moved from Florida (yes a halfback). I bought an ice scraper here, when I found out about rime ice, I believe that is what it is called. I have used it several times already. Saved lots of time for me. I did the hot water thing once. Big mistake! I poured it on the windshield first and then made my way around the car and by the time I got back to the windshield it was frozen again. LOL! What a dummy! The ice scraper is my friend now.

I did hear that they lay down brine on Old Fort Parkway here in Murfreesboro when they think there will be a real freeze.

Good advice about driving slow. I sure hope people heed your advice. Especially those that are inexperienced in this type of weather. Sliding on ice on the road is scary.

I have to get my ice scraper out of the trunk. I even brought my snow shovel (still in the trunk, too). It looks like the only completely sunny day we will have in the next 10 days, here in my part of TN, will be Thursday. I'm thinking it may be cold, but I want to be outside most of Thursday. I actually like cold weather. I just don't like ice or scraping the windshield.

[hiknapster]

I'm just sitting waiting for LauraC to deliver the teleporter!

I'd call in tomorrow, but then I won't get paid for the holiday. At 5 a.m., I imagine the roads will be very slick. I wonder if I came in late and worked late, well, if they wouldn't mind.

I made a big pot of beef-noodle soup. That seems to be doing the trick. I think having some cocoa would also be nice!

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I'm just sitting waiting for LauraC to deliver the teleporter!

I'd call in tomorrow, but then I won't get paid for the holiday. At 5 a.m., I imagine the roads will be very slick. I wonder if I came in late and worked late, well, if they wouldn't mind.

I made a big pot of beef-noodle soup. That seems to be doing the trick. I think having some cocoa would also be nice!

Just be careful and the weatherman has been wrong before.

Check in with us when you get in if you are able.

[hiknapster]

I will do that!

[Kim918]

I lucked out. I am normally on the road at 4:30 a.m. but I worked today and I am off tomorrow! *wipes forehead in relief* saved for one day. Good luck Hik, be safe.

[imailin]

Originally Posted by Kim918

I lucked out. I am normally on the road at 4:30 a.m. but I worked today and I am off tomorrow! *wipes forehead in relief* saved for one day. Good luck Hik, be safe.

I am going to gatlinburg TN on Friday... how you guys think the weather will be??? I am hoping for some snow... I am from Florida...

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by imailin

I am going to gatlinburg TN on Friday... how you guys think the weather will be??? I am hoping for some snow... I am from Florida...

Well, the long-range forecast is for warmer temperatures this weekend (so, consider how well the weather people predict the weather, that might mean 12" of snow . . . just kidding).