Roads, schools, and businesses closed as snow fell for hours in Oak Ridge. The snow began about 8:30 p.m. Sunday, and snow continued to fall at about 6 p.m. Monday.
Oak Ridge Today measured almost seven inches of snow at about 5 p.m. Monday. The National Weather Service in Morristown had forecast between four to six and six to eight inches of snow in the Oak Ridge and Clinton areas.
“Very cold air is moving in across the region with sub-freezing temperatures continuing through Thursday,” the National Weather Service said. “Temperatures Tuesday night will be around zero!”
Roads, even main streets like Oak Ridge Turnpike, had a thick layer of snow on them, with a wet, slippery surface underneath. Traffic was light when normally it would be heavy, and most drivers drove slowly and cautiously, with some turning on their hazard lights.
“With significant snow accumulations across much of the area and very cold temperatures, hazardous travel conditions may develop,” the NWS said. “Avoid travel, but if you must, use caution.”
Monday morning, the Oak Ridge Police Department said the winter weather was affecting main roads, and officers advised drivers to stay home and off of roads. At about lunchtime, the ORPD said South Illinois Avenue was impassable in both directions from Lafayette Drive to the Solway bridge, and crews were working as fast as possible to clear roads.
Monday evening, the ORPD said Melton Lake Drive would remain closed to through traffic overnight, although residents could use the road. “Crews continue to clear roadways,” the ORPD said.
Oak Ridge Schools announced that they will be closed Tuesday.
Anderson County Schools said they will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Monday afternoon, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said road conditions continued to be very bad.
“Please stay in off the roads if possible,” the ACSO said. “If you have to be out, allow yourself extra time to get to your destination.”
Some businesses appeared to have few or no customers. Walmart was fairly empty Monday morning, and Aldi announced they were closing early.
The NWS forecast shows snow is likely this evening, then a chance of snow with a slight chance of freezing rain after midnight. A trace of ice is possible, and so are areas of fog and patchy fog this evening and after midnight.
Cold weather is expected this week. Wind chill values around 8 below are possible Monday night. Oak Ridge could have wind chill values of around 11 below Tuesday and 16 below Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. There could be cold wind chill values again this weekend; they could drop to as low as 13 below on Friday night and Saturday.
In local weather history, the National Weather Service in Morristown said four to eight inches of snow fell in East Tennessee on January 12, 1996, causing numerous crashes and school closings.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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Rick Morrow says
John, have you heard anything about the water outage here in Woodland? We’re 18 hrs without water now.
Rick Morrow