We are looking at a significant ice storm to affect us here in northern Minnesota.
A storm will move in from the southern Rockies and bring with it lots of warmer air in the upper atmosphere. Lingering cold air at the surface (thanks to it being February in northern MInnesota with lots of snow) will create perfect conditions for an extended icing event.
We could get at least a quarter inch, which while it doesn't sound like much, is enough to cause serious travel headaches and power outages.
The ice in Kentucky recently was much worse, but they had one thing working for them that we do not. They are far enough south that the temperatures have warmed into the 50s and 60s, meaning all that ice has melted. We are not so lucky.
The way the pattern is setting up, we will get significant ice before it changes to snow. The snow will insulate the ice and the ice will remain on the ground for as much as a month if not longer.
I'll keep you guys posted (we shouldn't lose power.. all of our lines are buried)...
Despite the tundra like climate we have, ice storms are very rare here. If we get freezing precipitation, it's almost always a light drizzle or a light sprinkle.
Also, with temperatures expected to drop to around zero by midweek, salt will be useless.
Ice for a month??? OUCH! Snow on top's the worst. At least here it melts pretty fast and it's warm enough for salt to work. Only problem with salt is it's messy.
