Winter Storm Update

...ICE STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST MONDAY...

* WHAT...Damaging icing expected. Total sleet accumulations up to 
  one inch and ice accumulations mainly between one half and three 
  quarters of an inch. Locally higher ice amounts possible, 
  especially across the South Carolina foothills.

* WHERE...The Piedmont of North Carolina, Upstate South Carolina, 
  and northeast Georgia

* WHEN...Until 1 PM EST Monday.

* IMPACTS...Significant ice accumulation on power lines and tree 
  limbs may cause widespread and long-lasting power outages. Trees 
  and large limbs could fall on structures, posing threat to life 
  and property. Ice covered roadways will become treacherous and 
  impassable. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday 
  morning commute.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Ice accumulations will rapidly increase late 
  tonight into Sunday morning, possibly tapering off by Sunday 
  evening. Treacherous road conditions and power outages will remain 
  Sunday night and likely linger through at least Monday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

An Ice Storm Warning means severe winter weather conditions are 
expected or occurring. Significant amounts of ice accumulations will 
make travel dangerous or impossible. Travel is strongly discouraged. 
Commerce will likely be severely impacted. If you must travel, keep 
a flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an 
emergency. Ice accumulations and winds will likely lead to snapped 
power lines and falling tree branches that add to the danger. 
Prepare for possible power outages. The latest road conditions for 
the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

Do not touch downed lines and report any power outages to your 
electric company. Travel is highly discouraged due to slick roadways 
and the possibility of downed trees and power lines.

Oconee Emergency Services Director Scott Krein spoke with Kevin D. Hollis this afternoon ahead of Winter Storm Fern for the latest…

Frank Strait, Severe Weather Liaison at the S.C. State Climate Office provided the following update…

Key Points:

• An Ice Storm Warning is in effect for the Upstate, Catawba Region, most of the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) and Midlands, and the northern part of the Pee Dee region.
• A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the rest of the Pee Dee except for coastal Georgetown County, and for inland areas of the Lowcountry.

• Sleet and freezing rain will spread over the Upstate and Catawba Region tonight. Sleet is likely to accumulate an inch or so along and north of I-85 from Greenville northeastward before a change to freezing rain, while areas southeast of I-85 see less sleet with an earlier transition to freezing rain. Freezing rain and drizzle continue through Sunday before ending Sunday night. Tree and power line damage is likely to be widespread, causing potentially long-lasting power outages. Travel will be dangerous through at least Monday morning. A windy period Sunday night and Monday behind the storm will exacerbate the potential for tree and power line damage.
• Across the northern CSRA, the northern Midlands, and northern Pee Dee, the storm begins with sleet for a while Saturday evening, with a small accumulation possible. However, freezing rain will dominate most of Saturday night and Sunday. Widespread tree and power line damage is possible, and travel will be hazardous, potentially through Monday morning. Power outages could be lengthy. A windy period Sunday night into Monday may exacerbate the potential for tree and power line damage.
• Along I-20, ice buildup will lead to scattered tree and power line damage, and travel will become hazardous, especially on elevated roads. Temperatures rise above freezing Sunday afternoon, ending the threat for icy travel, with intermittent light rain or drizzle the rest of the day. Sunday night brings a round of more substantial rain and perhaps a thunderstorm.
• Areas south of the I-20 Corridor in the CSRA, Midlands, and Pee Dee will see a lesser ice buildup Saturday night through Sunday morning, but isolated tree and power line damage is possible. Roads and sidewalks will have icy patches, especially on elevated surfaces. Temperatures will likely rise above freezing by midday Sunday, ending the threat for icy travel, with intermittent light rain or drizzle the rest of the day. Sunday night brings a round of more substantial rain and perhaps a thunderstorm.
• The inland Lowcountry and Grand Strand primarily see rain with temperatures above freezing Saturday night through Sunday. However, freezing rain will occur over the region for a time Saturday night and early Sunday with temperatures dropping to near freezing. Elevated road surfaces can remain slippery for a few hours, but the risk of tree and power line damage is low.
• The coastal Lowcountry will most likely remain above freezing and see only rain.
• The Lowcountry will see thunderstorms late Sunday and Sunday night as warm air surges into the region; there may even be a risk of isolated damaging winds and isolated tornadoes.
• Continued cold early next week behind the storm will lead to slow melting where there is a substantial sleet accumulation. Burst pipes and water mains will be a concern over much of the state, and those with no power or a backup heating source will experience severe hardship.

We remain on track for a damaging winter storm over much of South Carolina tonight through Sunday night. Some of you have already seen a flurry, a few ice pellets (sleet), or a touch of rain or freezing rain. Precipitation will turn more widespread and heavier as we go into this evening.

Here’s a sleet accumulation map from the National Weather Service (NWS):

Yes, it says snow, but sleet counts as snow for this purpose, and it’s not gonna snow. Well, maybe a tiny bit north of Highway 11 in the Upstate, but nothing significant. At least 99 percent of solid precipitation will be sleet.

Now, for the NWS’s ice buildup forecast:

As I said on Friday, this is going to be a terrible ice storm for the Upstate and vicinity. A lot of people will lose power, and power could stay off for a while because of the volume of work needed to restore power to everyone.

Extreme cold will settle in behind the storm for early next week, and Monday night and Tuesday morning will bring the Upstate the coldest air we’ve seen in years; mighty cold over the rest of the state as well:

The extreme cold will slow the melting of the glacier covering the Upstate early next week. Slippery travel will probably linger into Tuesday morning.

Time’s almost up for preparing. It’s nearly time to hunker down. But there are still a few more things you can do. Here are a few thoughts:

• If you have dirty laundry piled up, maybe do that soon, before the power goes out.
• Same for the dishwasher, if it’s full of dirty dishes.
• Are all your phones, tablets, battery packs, handheld game consoles, and so forth fully charged?
• You didn’t forget your pets, did you? The pups and floofballs need access to food, water and a cozy spot to stay on Monday night (indoors if they can behave long enough).
• You may want to keep your faucet dripping Monday night; make sure your home’s pipes are adequately insulated.