Winter storm brings potential for icy roads to Stephens County
With the temperatures hovering near freezing and drizzly rain falling just about all day long in Breckenridge, ice has started to form on tree branches, and the roads could get slick tonight.
The National Weather Service has included Stephens County in a Winter Storm Warning in effect through 6 a.m. Friday, Jan. 1. According to the warning, light freezing rain will be possible in the Winter Storm Warning area today. Light ice accumulations will be possible on elevated surfaces.
Additionally, the report states that travel could be very difficult due to snow covered roads. The hazardous conditions could impact any New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day travel plans. The warning covers Stephens, Young and Eastland counties.
The NWS advises anyone traveling to keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.
Hazardous road conditions due to snow and/or ice have been reported throughout the west-central portion of the state, from Ralls in north to Barksdale in the south and from Abilene in the East to Balmorhea out west. Several inches of snow have already fallen in various areas, including Big Spring, Midland, Odessa, Fort Stockton and San Angelo.
The Weather Channel’s radar shows a possibility of rain and snow mixed this evening with a chance of it turning to snow later in the night in Stephens County.
The latest road conditions for Texas can be found at drivetexas.org.
Cutline, top photo: Ice is starting to form on trees as the last winter storm of 2020 moves through Stephens County. The National Weather Service predicts that the precipitation could turn to snow later tonight. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
