Pennsylvania Avenue west of New York Avenue is pictured above late Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 20, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
Note: This story was last updated at 12:07 a.m.
There had been some improvement on main roads in Oak Ridge late Wednesday afternoon but many side streets remained snow-covered and slippery, and the National Weather Service said snow and ice-covered roads will remain through Thursday morning.
State Route 62 or East Tri County Boulevard in Oliver Springs was still snow-covered early Wednesday evening and was slippery, especially driving south, up the hill toward Oak Ridge.
In Oak Ridge, Illinois Avenue was in the best condition late Wednesday afternoon, and Oak Ridge Turnpike and some well-traveled side streets, including Hillside Road and a stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue, still had some snow but were passable. Still, side streets were slippery. One small car needed a push from two men just to get to the curb while trying to get up a small hill on West Outer Drive near North Illinois Avenue.
The National Weather Service in Morristown warned that any melting that occurs this evening will re-freeze, producing areas of black ice.
The NWS said temperatures will remain at or below freezing on Wednesday night, so the recent snow and ice accumulations will remain on area roads through Thursday morning.
Several Oak Ridge residents said they measured between 3.5 and 4 inches of snow on the ground on Wednesday.
Local schools announced they will be closed again on Thursday. That includes Oak Ridge, Clinton, and Anderson and Roane counties. Day classes at Roane State Community College have been canceled, and a decision on evening classes will be made Thursday afternoon.
The Y-12 National Security Complex said it will operate on a normal schedule with the exception of the Uranium Processing Facility offices, which will open at 10 a.m.
“Everyone is urged to use caution and their own judgment regarding travel to the site,” Y-12 said. “If you feel your route is unsafe to travel, please alert your supervision that you are taking leave until you can safely make it to work. Please use caution when driving and walking at the site and stay on designated snow routes.”
City of Oak Ridge offices will open at 11 a.m. So will Clinton City Hall.
Anderson County government offices will be closed Thursday.
The volunteer orientation for the Manhattan Project National Historical Park that had been scheduled for Thursday morning has been rescheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday, January 26, at the Midtown Community Center.
See the seven-day forecast near Oak Ridge here. It includes a chance of freezing rain and freezing fog on Wednesday night, and forecasters said rain showers are likely after 1 p.m. Thursday.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
Oak Ridge Turnpike is pictured near Division Road late Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 20, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
South Illinois Avenue is pictured above near Scarboro Road early Wednesday evening, Jan. 20, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
East Tri County Boulevard in Oliver Springs remained snow-covered and slippery early Wednesday evening, Jan. 20, 2016. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)
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