Posted on 12/15/2007 9:59:18 PM PST by NormsRevenge
PITTSBURGH – As much as a foot of snow fell from the Plains across the Midwest on Saturday, snarling road and air travel, as the second big winter storm in a week barreled through on its way to New England. Tens of thousands of people still lacked electricity after the first storm slammed Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri earlier in the week. That storm was blamed for at least 38 deaths, mostly in traffic accidents.
Winter storm warnings and watches extended Saturday from Missouri across parts of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, the National Weather Service said. As much as 15 inches of snow was forecast in parts of southern Michigan, with 10 inches possible in Detroit.
Snow started falling early in the afternoon in Pittsburgh, accumulating to about an inch before tapering off. Light rain and freezing rain took over later.
“We'll have little bit of everything before the night is over,” said Bill Drzal, a Weather Service meteorologist in Pittsburgh.
Areas to the north and east of the city could see as much as 12 inches through Sunday night, according to the Weather Service.
More than 200 flights were canceled because of the weather Saturday at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, one of the nation's busiest, and all other flights were delayed an hour, said Chicago Department of Aviation spokesman Gregg Cunningham.
Road travel also became tricky in northeastern Illinois, including Chicago's suburbs, where officials reported spinouts and cars in ditches.
“It's coming down steady,” said Mike Claffey, spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation.
In southern Wisconsin, police in Waukesha said road conditions brought on by up to 5 inches of snow figured in a two-car accident that left a 51-year-old woman dead and three others injured. Police did not immediately release her name.
Residents across New England packed stores to stock up before getting slammed. The winter weather earlier in the week caught many people unawares, stranding commuters and school buses as it made some of the nation's busiest highways impassable.
Flakes also fell in traditionally snow-prone Buffalo, N.Y. Accumulations of a foot or more were predicted for much of New York state.
Concern about the approaching storm led the University of Connecticut to cancel Sunday's winter commencement ceremony. About 850 undergraduates had expected to receive diplomas Sunday, but school spokesman Richard Veilleux said officials were concerned about the safety of the students and their families and other guests on slippery roads.
Freezing rain was the culprit in the Plains earlier in the week, coating streets, windshields, tree limbs and power lines with ice as thick as an inch in Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.
Oklahoma, hardest hit by the earlier storm, got only cold, light rain early Saturday that turned into just a few inches of snow. Neighboring Kansas, however, had as much as a foot Saturday morning, and the Highway Patrol reported Interstate 70 in central Kansas was snow-packed.
“We've had no fatalities or pileups, but we have numerous slideoffs,” said Mary Beth Anderson, a patrol dispatcher. “I don't think there are a lot of travelers, just the ones who have to get out and go to work.”
More than 2,300 people were in Kansas shelters Saturday because of the power failures and the fresh snow, said Sharon Watson, spokeswoman for the state Adjutant General's Department.
At the height of the last storm, a million customers in Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri were blacked out. By Saturday morning, utilities in the three states reported 270,000 customers still without electricity.
Officials in Oklahoma had worried the new snow could hamper power restoration efforts, but it turned out not to be a problem.
“The first several days, crews were working on emergency restoration and getting the backbone of the structure up – the main feeders and transmission lines,” said Stan Whiteford, a spokesman for Public Service Co. of Oklahoma. “Now they're really getting into the neighborhoods. The customers are coming on in bigger chunks.”
It should make for some interesting NFL games as well.
Here's to power being restored soon to all those affected so far.
get yer flyin’ done!
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
A narrow miss here. Mostly rain in Southeast Ohio
We always seem to miss the big ones lately.
Some environmentalist in Oklahoma was feeling righteous about buying his new Pious to stop global warming as he hit the brakes and slid on black ice from Tulsa to OKC.
We were travelling up I35 a few days ago and lost count at 325 electrical repair trucks heading to Oklahoma. Made me wish I'd installed a fireplace.
I do NOT miss that weather at all! I much prefer the rain of the Pacific NorthWET to all that ice. Never goin’ back again.....
Classic panhandle hook.
All my family is Minnesota and Midwest based, I moved West years ago. You get used to and allow for inclimate weather, but I hear ya. ;-)
The winter is the best time to go , no mosquitos and lots of ice fishing. and the beer stays colder longer too . :-}
You either go, or you don’t. If you do go, buy a warm coat.
We’re getting a picturesque couple of inches at nice leisurely rate here in Chi-town. Even so, on the way to the corner 7-11, to lay in a few supplies needed to “foster” my good spirits, I had to wait a few minutes while a car that had slid off the road was being stowed on a flatbed wrecker. All part of the festivities.
I was sort of disappointed. We missed it altogether. Drove up to McConnellsville thinking we would run into snow. It just rained all evening and was not even very cold. Had a nice time though. That historical little town is beautiful at Christmas time. Had horse drawn wagons, choirs on the courthouse steps, merchants open late and giving away goodies. Then saw a good show at the Opry house. It was good to get away from the mad rush around here. Merry Christmas!
My family and hubby’s family are in MO, WI, and ME. I spent the first 37 years of my life in MO. I wish I had moved out here sooner, but I know how to drive in some pretty knarly conditions. I am constantly amazed at folks who think their 4WD makes them immune to road conditions.
Honey, if your plane lands the weather ain’t that bad, and the shuttle will run. Buy the coat and enjoy the trip.
The driving part is definitely an art, you have to learn how to go with the slide,, not goose it and give yourself lots of room.
Health Welfare and Morale Check..........you Ok ?
Here’s to a snowy Monday night game for Da Bears and the Vikes. ;-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.