GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – We have two more First Alert Weather Days ahead as yesterday’s ice storm leaves treacherous travel conditions in its wake Monday, followed by dangerously cold wind chills Tuesday.
Monday: First Alert Day for Icy Roads
A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through early Monday morning as sleet and ice cover roads throughout the area. Travel becomes extremely hazardous, especially on secondary roads and elevated areas.
What to expect: The combination of ice-covered pavement and gusty winds makes even slow-speed driving risky.
Through the day Monday, temperatures climb quickly above freezing in the Upstate, reaching the upper 30s to low 40s, helping to melt some of the ice and snow. However, in the mountains, highs only reach the low 20s, so ice remains a persistent threat. While the melting is a good thing, we are not out of the woods yet: lingering water on the roads refreezes Monday night as temperatures plummet. That means conditions that seem better during the day in the Upstate become treacherous again as temperatures drop after sunset.
First Alert tip: If you must travel Monday, give yourself extra time, reduce your speed, and avoid bridges and overpasses where ice forms most readily. Be extra cautious Monday evening as refreezing begins, especially in the Upstate where melting occurs during the day.
Tuesday: First Alert Day for Dangerous Cold
Just when you think conditions improve, dangerous cold arrives Tuesday. An Extreme Cold Warning covers elevations above 3500′ in the northern mountains, with wind chills plunging to -15 degrees or lower. A Cold Weather Advisory covers the rest of the Western Carolinas as temperatures drop into the single digits with feels like temperatures as low as -15° to -5° for the mountains valleys and 0°-10° in the Upstate. First Alert Weather is warning you now so you can prepare.
What to expect: Temperatures drop into the single digits and near zero across mountain areas Tuesday morning. Gusty northwest winds make it feel even colder…