More snow fell in Oak Ridge on Friday night, and parts of many roads, including Pellissippi Parkway going into Knox County, were slippery. Pictured above is South Illinois Avenue at Weigel’s gas station and convenience center just before midnight on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
More snow fell in Oak Ridge on Friday night, and parts of many roads, including Pellissippi Parkway going into Knox County, were snow-covered and slippery.
Before midnight Friday, sections of roadway were clear on Oak Ridge Turnpike and Illinois Avenue in central Oak Ridge, but many side streets, including heavily traveled roads like Tennessee Avenue and New York Avenue, were covered by a layer of snow. Other snow-covered roads included Tulane and Rutgers avenues, and Providence and Robertsville roads.
The National Weather Service in Morristown advised people to stay off the roads, unless travel is absolutely necessary.
“The combination of snow and ice accumulations, along with subfreezing temperatures will create hazardous travel conditions,” the NWS said. “Any untreated roads will remain treacherous overnight and into tomorrow morning (even after precipitation tapers off) as temperatures remain below freezing. If you absolutely must travel, check road conditions first, use extreme caution, and allow extra time to reach your destination.”
Accumulating snowfall will continue off and on Friday afternoon, before becoming more widespread and steady by the evening and overnight hours. Given the subfreezing temperatures that are expected through much of the day, roads and surfaces will be primed for snowfall accumulations and any road surface that is untreated will become treacherous overnight. This includes the afternoon rush hour commute! (Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown)
The Knoxville Police Department reported on snow-covered roads and slick spots in Knoxville on Friday night, including Clinton Highway, Kingston Pike, and Interstate 40 and Interstate 75, especially overpasses and entry/exit ramps.
Here is the National Weather Service forecast for Oak Ridge through Monday, as of early Saturday:
- Friday night—Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 15. North wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
- Saturday—A 30 percent chance of snow before 10 a.m. Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 25. Wind chill values between 4 and 14. North wind around 10 mph.
- Saturday night—Mostly clear, with a low around 10. Northwest wind around 5 mph, becoming calm after midnight.
- Sunday—Sunny, with a high near 31. Wind chill values between 5 and 15. Northeast wind around 5 mph.
- Sunday night—Mostly cloudy, with a low around 17. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
- Monday—Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.
More snow fell in Oak Ridge on Friday night, and parts of many roads were slippery. Pictured above is South Tulane Avenue just before midnight on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
More snow fell in Oak Ridge on Friday night, and parts of many roads were slippery. Pictured above is a snow plow at South Illinois Avenue at Weigel’s gas station and convenience center just before midnight on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
More snow fell in Oak Ridge on Friday night, and parts of many roads were slippery. Pictured above is an Oak Ridge snow plow on South Illinois Avenue just before midnight on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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