January: Calmer Pattern To End The Month

[texoz]

My local thermometer is showing 25 degrees here in Austin with light freezing rain. Already had some accumulation. Upper decks of I-35 are closed as are many other surrounding upper decks. Radar is showing more freezing rain will fall. Hopefully, not too much more moisture or this event could get very ugly.

[TxJohn]

We're below freezing in NW Harris now. 31.4 degrees..dewpoint at 28.

[wxman57]

I'm so annoyed right now - my wife decided to go to work since the warning was dropped to an advisory, the STAR vans are now going. She's afraid she's going to be stuck at the Medical Center. Why they actively decided to lower the warning just before the event baffles me. I know it's a tough call, but I think they should have stuck to their first decision.

The warning was changed to an advisory based on expected ice totals being less than 0.1", I believe. That doesn't mean no icy bridges, just that the thickness of the ice would be less than that for a warning. Chances of significant ice accumulations on power lines and trees is lowered, but not the chance of icy streets.

[Texashawk]

I'm so annoyed right now - my wife decided to go to work since the warning was dropped to an advisory, the STAR vans are now going. She's afraid she's going to be stuck at the Medical Center. Why they actively decided to lower the warning just before the event baffles me. I know it's a tough call, but I think they should have stuck to their first decision.

The warning was changed to an advisory based on expected ice totals being less than 0.1", I believe. That doesn't mean no icy bridges, just that the thickness of the ice would be less than that for a warning. Chances of significant ice accumulations on power lines and trees is lowered, but not the chance of icy streets.

Ah. Thanks for the insight. It doesn't make it any easier, though.

[srainhoutx]

Water Vapor/IR Imagery suggests the upper low has turned more to the E and may head toward S Central Texas before the precip comes to an end.

[TeamPlayersBlue]

And if that happens.....

[sau27]

Car was reading 33 and moderate drizzle as I was driving in to work just now. Im at the intersection of 59 and the west loop.

[nuby3]

And if that happens.....

HAPPY TIME

[srainhoutx]

Major icing of roadways and bridges reported in Beaumont/Lake Charles.

[TxJohn]

Wow. Just dropped to 30.9 degrees here in NW Harris! We need moisture...our cold air is here.

[djmike]

US National Weather Service Lake Charles Louisiana

830am: Many roads and bridges are beginning to close due to icing. Please stay where you are and only travel for emergency.‪#‎gulfcold‬ <https://twitter.com/search?q=%23gulfcold>

[srainhoutx]

NWS Lake Charles advising people to please do not travel. Surface roads and bridges including I-10 icing over. Numerous accidents reported.

[cisa]

Water Vapor/IR Imagery suggests the upper low has turned more to the E and may head toward S Central Texas before the precip comes to an end.

[srainhoutx]

LCH reports heavy snow in Pineville (Rapides Parish)

[djmike]

You beat me to it Srain....Yeah, as of now, Beaumont is at a complete stand still. Roads, bridges and overpasses are now shutdown do to major icing and the heavy sleeting still occurring here. Starting to look much like a winter wonderland with ice! By the looks of radar, it looks like we could be dealing with worsening conditions pretty much all day rather than an "ending around noon" situation. TXDOT Beaumont has just released a statement urging everyone here to get off the roads!

icey.PNG (195.51 KiB) Viewed 5274 times

[snowman65]

Weather channel saying currently light snow in Orange. Have not been able to confirm that yet.

[srainhoutx]

Update from Jeff:

Freezing line progressing southward to I-10 corridor. IAH and Tomball now down to 31.

Icing is occurring on elevated surfaces north of I-10 and mixing with sleet.

So far bridges and overpasses are good with road temperatures hovering right near 32. Treatment of roadways appears to be working well keeping ice from forming on bridges and overpasses.

[jasons2k]

I would encourage people to think before they post. I just re-read the evening/overnight comments and a lot of people were downright ugly and disrespectful. Some of this from frequent posters. A lot of people calling this the bust of all busts will be eating crow this morning. And honestly, such posts provide NO VALUE to someone trying to get some good weather information.

Remember the golden rule: treat others and you would like to be treated yourself.

And if you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all.

--------
In other news, it's 30F here with light freezing rain on surfaces. The roads are still OK. There is traffic on Rayford....people going to work....I predict a slew of accidents pretty soon.

[ticka1]

ice on cars back wooden deck beginning to freeze 29 degrees

[tireman4]

First, I want to thank all the pro mets for your yeoman's job on this event. Your time spent here was most valuable. You are part of our world here and we are honored to have you. Second, folks this was an extremely hard event to forecast. Winter weather in Texas is tough to figure out. This event proved that. I echo Jason in saying, please be respectful. You may call this a bust ( it certainly is not), but there is ice falling from the skies as we speak. Be careful on the roadways and if you do not have to travel, do not. Lastly, my car is encased in ice.