Update, Monday, 8am:
The Tri-State remains under a winter storm warning until noon central time today. So far, we’ve received a combination of ice, sleet and snow that is making the morning commute a mess for everyone.
Main roads are passable, but slow going. All are snow covered, so no lanes are visible which can really slow things down as drivers try to guess where the lanes actually exist.
Road conditions in outlying areas are worse, with drifting snow piling up on highways and roads in those areas.
In Kentucky, Keith Todd with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says they’ve had a number of snow plows slide off icy roads in the Commonwealth, with conditions much worse down toward Kentucky Lakes and Murray.
According to National Weather Service meteorologist Rick Shanklin, we received lower amounts of freezing rain than predicted, with no more than a quarter inch of ice accumulation. However, we received more sleet, with up to three inches of sleet in parts of western Kentucky. Snow totals are also less than predicted, with 2-3 inches in the Evansville area. More snow is possible Monday morning, with higher amounts in Kentucky.
Virtually all K-12 schools are closed Monday, as well as the University of Evansville and the University of Southern Indiana.
Update, Sunday, 9pm:
The National Weather Service at Paducah says, in their mid-evening briefing Sunday that most areas have switched over to snow. While the Tri-State didn't get quite as much freezing rain as predicted, we received higher sleet amounts. The weather service is reporting sleet amounts of up to two inches in some parts of western Kentucky.
The winter storm warning remains in effect until noon central time Monday. Up to six inches of snow are possible, on top of the ice we've already received. Heavier amounts will be along the Ohio River. Gusty winds are predicted, which will make driving hazardous and could cause power outages.
WNIN will continue special coverage of the winter storm on Morning Edition with Zach Guenzel Monday, or as conditions warrant.
Earlier: It looks like March will come in like a lion.
March 1st is the start of meteorological spring, and while Saturday is forecast to give us a taste of warmer weather – with a high in the low 50s -- it won’t last. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for the Evansville area, starting Sunday morning through early Monday.
Forecasters are predicting freezing rain, sleet and snow in the area, mainly north and west of a line from New Madrid, Missouri to Rockport, Indiana. Icing is more likely close to the Ohio River, while heavier amounts of snow are expected north of the Tri-State.
Spring officially arrives March 20th, after a winter that just won’t quit. School districts throughout the region have added extra hours to class schedules to make up for numerous snow days.
