Icy weather coming to East Texas; bridges and overpasses to be affected most

Published 7:13 pm Thursday, January 5, 2017

Residents should be careful driving to work Friday, as a slushy snow mix could stick to overpasses and bridges. 

A reinforcing blast of cold air was expected to come through East Texas on Thursday evening.

“It’s not another cold front – it’s just that the colder air is finally getting here,” said Aaron Stevens, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, Louisiana. “We will get some cold air (Thursday evening) as the cold air filters in.”

The same cold blast will bring moisture and potential for a wintry mix of sleet and snow.

Stevens said it won’t be enough to stick to the ground, but it will affect bridges and overpasses. 

For its part, the Texas Department of Transportation had equipment prepared Thursday evening to treat bridges. The agency started pre-treating Interstate 20 with a salty brine, according to a news release.

“The safety of the traveling public is TxDOT’s top priority, including using all necessary resources to keep roads open and passable during winter storms so pre-treating allows us to get a little ahead,” Kathi White, the agency’s local public information officer, said in a news release. “We ask motorists to do their part as well by adjusting their driving behaviors for winter road conditions.”

The icy conditions will be short-lived and will be gone by Sunday.

Friday will come with a high of 33 degrees and an overnight low of 20 degrees. If the water from Thursday’s wintry conditions does not melt, it will refreeze.

“If we get water standing around on Friday as it warms up to just above freezing, and it doesn’t evaporate, it will refreeze into ice until it starts to warm up,” Stevens said.

That could make overpasses and bridges dangerous until Saturday morning, depending on evaporation.

Saturday will come with a high of 38, and then get back down to 21 at night.

It’ll start to warm up on Sunday, with a high of 45 and a low of 31.

Monday will have low clouds and potential rain. The daytime is projected to be partly cloudy, and a misty rain is projected for Monday evening. The day will have a high of 59 and a low of 53.

It’ll all be over by Tuesday, with a high of 70.

DRIVING ADVICE

In typical icy conditions, residents are encouraged to stay home if they don’t need to drive. If they do get on the roads, they should be prepared and patient.

TxDOT suggests motorists be mindful while on bridges, ramps, overpasses and shady areas, which freeze first.

Drivers are asked to slow down and give plenty of time to get where they are going and to increase the distance between themselves and other vehicles.

If the vehicle starts to skid, drivers should ease off the gas or brakes and steer into the skid.

Cars should also be filled up, in case motorists get stranded or delayed due to a wreck.

HOME HEAT

When temperatures drop, fire departments see more house fire calls from people trying to stay warm.

Keep space heaters away from flammable items, and don’t use a gas stove as a heat source, said Interim Assistant Administrative Tyler Fire Chief Marty Lawrence.

The stove creates toxic carbon monoxide. Also, make sure not to overload extension cords.

Lawrence also suggests checking on elderly neighbors and family members to make sure they have enough food, medicine, blankets and an adequate heat source.

“We should do that all the time,” he said.  “We need to check on those who are more vulnerable – the aging population and young children are more vulnerable in the cold.”

Lawrence also suggests keeping cellphones charged in case of power outages, so 911 can still be called in an emergency.

Twitter: @TMTFaith