Winter came late this year, and -- according to the forecast -- it isn't over yet.
With less than two weeks until spring officially begins, another round of sleet and snow is in the forecast.
As of presstime, Siloam Springs is under a Winter Storm Watch until noon Thursday, March 5. Residents can expect three to four inches of sleet and snow, according to the National Weather Service in Tulsa. A transition from freezing rain to sleet and then eventually snow will occur by Wednesday evening, and Northwest Arkansas has the greatest potential for snow and sleet accumulation, the weather service reported.
It is fortunate the forecasters are calling for accumulation and that residents will not be blind-sided by snow, as they were on Friday, Feb. 27. Forecasts suggested that the snowstorm that moved into the state late last week would not accumulate; however, more than three inches of powdery snow floated to the ground and accumulated, then a glaze of freezing rain fell on top of that.
Despite the forecast, city road crews were out brining and sanding the most-heavily traveled and hilly roads.
Temperatures reached 20 degrees on Friday, and dipped Friday night to 11 degrees Fahrenheit. Saturday afternoon, sleet began to rain down and coat the roads and the powdery snow that was deposited the day before.
Though city road crews treated as many roads as they could, they were no match for Mother Nature -- 13 wrecks were reported on Friday and Saturday.
The city used three brine trucks on the roads Friday. On Saturday, the brine trucks, along with three sand trucks and two back hoes, were used to clear streets. Sunday was limited to three plows and three sanders, said city communications manager Holland Hayden said.
No power outages were reported, Hayden said.
If the storm does impact Siloam Springs, public services manager Randy Atkinson said pre-treatment depends on the weather.
"While pre-treating the roads is the best option, it's not always possible." he said. "Pre-treatment brine will wash away if rain comes before an ice or snow event."
Even if crews are able to pre-treat the roads, drivers need to take more time, drive slower and be cautious, said Siloam Springs Police Chief Jim Wilmeth.
"Be sure to wear your seat belt and maintain extra distance between you and other cars," he said. "With all the city does to lessen the risk of crashes, drivers themselves are still the most influential element for driving in bad weather. Practicing the three C's -- caution, courtesy, and common sense -- remain the best tools for lessening the risk."
General News on 03/04/2015