snow Archives - Oak Ridge Today

Snow in Oak Ridge

Posted at 11:52 am December 9, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Many roads in Oak Ridge were covered by a wet, slushy snow on Sunday morning, Dec. 9, 2018, and some were slippery even when they appeared relatively clear. Pictured above is South Illinois Avenue. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Note: This story was updated at 1:15 p.m.

Many roads in Oak Ridge were covered by a wet, slushy snow on Sunday morning, and some were slippery even when they appeared relatively clear.

The Oak Ridge Police Department said there were slick spots coming into Oak Ridge from Solway.

Oak Ridge Today measured about 5/8 inch of snow on a sidewalk in one spot mid-morning Sunday.

Main roads such as Illinois Avenue and Oak Ridge Turnpike were mostly clear, with slush in some spots such as the median, while side streets remained snow-covered. [Read more…]

Hazardous driving conditions remain in Anderson County

Posted at 9:53 am January 17, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

A view of snow-covered Dutch Valley from Waldens Ridge in Anderson County on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018. (Photo by Anderson County Sheriff’s Department)

Note: This story was updated at 11:05 p.m.

Update: State routes were mostly clear Wednesday afternoon, but secondary roads still had snow and ice in spots, especially where they are shaded. Some roads remained entirely snow-covered. Areas that melted in the sun Wednesday were expected to refreeze overnight as the temperatures will once again be in the single digits. Motorists should continue to use caution.

Three traffic crashes had been reported as of 4 p.m., and deputies planned to continue patrolling and answering calls in four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Hazardous driving conditions remained in Anderson County on Wednesday morning, with some state routes still having snow and ice.

Secondary roads are mostly snow-covered, with ice in places, said Mark Lucas, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department chief deputy.

“Bitter cold temperatures overnight resulted in many roads freezing over and becoming dangerous,” Lucas said. “Motorists should use extreme caution if travel is necessary.”

Three traffic crashes were reported Tuesday, but none have been reported so far Wednesday morning, Lucas said. [Read more…]

Road conditions still bad, police say; Y-12 closed

Posted at 8:55 am January 17, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

An Oak Ridge Public Works Department snow truck is pictured on South Illinois Avenue on Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 16, 2018. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Note: This story was last updated at 11:15 p.m.

Update: Driving conditions on main roads and side streets in Oak Ridge seemed to have improved by about 5 p.m. Wednesday, although there were still patches of ice and snow, including in shopping center parking lots.

Wednesday evening, the Oak Ridge Police Department said conditions had improved on main roads, but side streets were still extremely slick. Drivers should use extra caution if they have to get out tonight. There could be some refreezing on the roads overnight with the low temperatures. Oak Ridge Schools will be closed again on Thursday, January 18, due to the conditions.

A few inches of snow fell Tuesday, and road conditions are still bad Wednesday morning, especially in the city’s neighborhoods, the Oak Ridge Police Department said. The Y-12 National Security Complex and the Uranium Processing Facility offices are closed.

Oak Ridge Public Works Department crews are out clearing and treating the roads.

“If you must go out, please use extreme caution,” the ORPD said.

Y-12 said normal operations will resume Thursday, January 18. [Read more…]

Roads slippery, snow-covered; schools, Key Springs closed

Posted at 9:09 pm January 16, 2018
By John Huotari 2 Comments

Streets in Oak Ridge, including main roads, were snow-covered and slippery Tuesday evening, Jan. 16, 2018, and schools announced they would be closed again on Wednesday. Above, the Oak Ridge Police Department responds to a crash on South Illinois Avenue near Centrifuge Way on Tuesday afternoon. (Photo courtesy ORPD/City of Oak Ridge)

Streets in Oak Ridge, including main roads, were snow-covered and slippery Tuesday evening, and schools announced they would be closed again on Wednesday. Key Springs Road—a steep, curvy road that goes down Black Oak Ridge from north Oak Ridge to Marlow—was closed.

The Oak Ridge Police Department advised residents to stay home if they don’t have to be on the roads tonight.

“All roads are snow-covered,” the ORPD said Tuesday evening. “(Oak Ridge) Public Works crews are working to clear and treat roads.”

Even heavily traveled main roads such as Illinois Avenue and Oak Ridge Turnpike were snow-covered and slippery Tuesday evening. Side streets were as well.

The snow, which had started at about 1 p.m. Tuesday, continued past 7 p.m. The forecast had called for a few inches. [Read more…]

Council, school board work session has been rescheduled

Posted at 1:48 pm January 16, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The joint work session between the Oak Ridge Board of Education and Oak Ridge City Council that had been scheduled for this evening has been canceled due to snow and winter weather, and it has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 23.

Among the items to be discussed are the Oak Ridge Preschool project, proposed general aviation airport, and electrical substation project at the Y-12 National Security Complex. [Read more…]

AC Courthouse closed, County Commission meeting rescheduled

Posted at 12:11 pm January 16, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

All Anderson County government offices closed at 11 a.m. Tuesday due to the expected snow, and the Anderson County Commission meeting that had been scheduled for this evening (January 16) has been rescheduled to 6:30 p.m. Monday, January 22, in Room 312 of the Anderson County Courthouse at 100 Main Street in Clinton.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

Oak Ridge-Powell basketball games postponed

Posted at 10:37 pm January 15, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

The Oak Ridge-Powell basketball games scheduled for Tuesday have been postponed due to the expected winter weather.

Oak Ridge Schools will be closed on Tuesday due to the weather, which could include a few inches of snow.

The games are expected to be rescheduled, but a new date hasn’t been announced yet.

Few inches of snow possible Tuesday

Posted at 9:30 pm January 15, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

An arctic cold front will move across the Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachians Tuesday, bringing with it accumulating snow and frigid temperatures. Snowfall of 1 to 3 inches is expected Tuesday into early Tuesday night, Jan. 16, 2018. Please stay tuned to the latest forecast for further updates. (Image by National Weather Service in Morristown)

A few inches of snow are possible on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

There is a 30 percent chance of snow after 4 a.m. Tuesday in Oak Ridge, and snow is likely, mainly after 7 a.m., with a 70 percent chance of precipitation, forecasters said. Local school districts will be closed Tuesday because of the winter weather.

One to two inches of snow are possible Tuesday, and the high is forecast at 28 degrees Fahrenheit, the National Weather Service said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge, other schools closed due to weather Tuesday

Posted at 9:29 pm January 15, 2018
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Accumulating snow is expected to begin along the plateau in the morning hours and progress eastward through the day. Roads may become snow-covered and slick soon after the beginning of snow, with temperatures below freezing on Tuesday afternoon and evening, Jan. 16, 2018. (Image by National Weather Service in Morristown)

Oak Ridge Schools and other local school systems will be closed due to winter weather, possibly including a few inches of snow, on Tuesday.

The other districts that will be closed include Anderson County, Clinton, and Roane County.

The National Weather Service in Morristown said an arctic cold front will move across the Tennessee Valley and southern Appalachians Tuesday, bringing frigid temperatures and snow that will accumulate.

“Snowfall of one to three inches is expected Tuesday into early Tuesday night,” the National Weather Service said. “Please stay tuned to the latest forecast for further updates.” [Read more…]

NWS: Colder than normal temps forecast, bitter cold expected later

Posted at 11:31 am December 27, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Bitterly cold air is on the way this weekend. Temperatures 10 to 20 degrees below normal and dangerously low wind chills are expected, especially across the higher elevations. Remember to dress warmly in layers, provide shelter for pets and animals, and take precautions around your home or business to avoid frozen pipes. (Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown)

Bitterly cold air is on the way this weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown. Temperatures 10 to 20 degrees below normal and dangerously low wind chills are expected, especially across the higher elevations. Remember to dress warmly in layers, provide shelter for pets and animals, and take precautions around your home or business to avoid frozen pipes. (Image courtesy National Weather Service in Morristown)

High temperatures today will be about 10 degrees below normal, and bitterly cold air is on the way this weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

Lows in the area around Clinton and Oak Ridge are forecast to be between about 16 and 18 degrees Fahrenheit today (Wednesday, December 27).

Highs are forecast between 34 and 36, with mostly sunny skies today and mostly clear skies tonight.

Temperatures are expected to remain cold this week, with some slight warming on Thursday and more Friday, with colder weather again on Saturday and Sunday and a slight chance of snow on Sunday. [Read more…]

Snow possible Saturday night

Posted at 8:10 pm March 10, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Road crews on Friday prepared roads for possible winter weather, including a potential snow, on Saturday, March 11, 2017. This picture was taken on Wisconsin Avenue on Friday afternoon, March 10. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

On Friday, crews prepared roads for possible winter weather this weekend in Oak Ridge and East Tennessee, potentially including snow on Saturday.

The National Weather Service in Morristown said winter will return this weekend with snowfall expected Saturday night across most of the region. Snow accumulations of one to three inches are possible across the Tennessee Valley and Cumberland Plateau, and three to six inches are possible in the Great Smoky Mountains. [Read more…]

Main roads clear, but few snowy spots remain on side streets

Posted at 5:32 pm January 7, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Roads in Oak Ridge were mostly clear after snow on Friday night and Saturday morning, Jan. 6 and 7, 2017, but a few snowy spots remained. Pictured above is Orange Lane in north Oak Ridge. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Main roads in Oak Ridge were mostly clear after a snowstorm on Friday night and Saturday morning, but a few snowy spots remained on side streets.

Main streets such as Oak Ridge Turnpike and Illinois Avenue appeared to be completely clear. Heavily traveled secondary roads such as Tennessee Avenue, New York Avenue, Georgia Avenue, Rutgers Avenue, and Outer Drive appeared to be mostly or completely clear. The few snow-covered spots appeared to be mostly on side streets that aren’t as heavily traveled, such as Orange Lane and Orchard Lane in north Oak Ridge.

Much of the snow that fell Friday night and Saturday morning appeared to have melted, including on the hillside next to Blankenship Field that is often used for sledding after snow falls.

The National Weather Service isn’t forecasting any more snow until Tuesday, when there is a slight chance of rain and showers. [Read more…]