ICE STORM 2024....

Ice Storm Warnings covered the region for the first time in nearly two years. Temperatures sat below freezing through the day Saturday with warmer air arriving in the mid-levels of the atmosphere. You can see the inversion on the morning sounding from the Quad Cities:

Snow completely melted into rain in that warm air layer. With temperatures below freezing at the surface (and everything being cold from the recent arctic air outbreak), the rain froze on contact. Freezing rain and sleet coated the streets, cars, sidewalks... everything. Persistent, and at times heavy, precipitation led to ice accumulations adding up. Additionally, the storm continued to slow down and led to a delay in surface temperatures warming up, which allowed for more ice accumulation.

Here are the reports that have come in so far:

Ice accumulation ranged from 0.1" to a half an inch... Yikes! That's significant. Thankfully sleet helped with traction and it was a weekend, but crews worked around the clock to keep highways and main roads manageable. Unfortunately, ice build up and gusty winds led to some tree damage and power outages.

Temperatures will gradually rise above freezing, and as warm air moves in over the cold ground + the melting ice, dense fog will start to form.

Dense Fog Advisories have been issued as dense fog is possible through the mid-morning hours. Temperatures will remain above freezing into Sunday, though:

A cold front will move through Sunday night and may lead to a few light showers late into early Monday. Monday will still be mild with temperatures nearing 40 once again:

Watch for falling ice and take it easy between lingering slick spots and the fog.

Rebecca Kopelman