The impact of ice on trees, power lines and power outages in the U.S. during the first three months of winter storms
Icy conditions and snowfall from winter storms are continuing to impact Southern states in the U.S., with flight cancellations, dangerous road conditions and power outages.
“Especially if the ice remains on trees into [Saturday],” Stellman says. “Because we are expecting winds to pick up tomorrow, [it] could cause a power outage concern as some of that ice is on trees and power lines.”
And ice is heavy, so depending on what falls on it, can break it, according to Andrew Dessler, a professor of atmospheric sciences at Texas A&M University.
“ Tree branches, you get enough ice on there, it’ll, the tree branch will collapse,” Dessler says. “Anything underneath a power line, a fence, or anything else will be chopped off by the tree branch if they’re underneath it.”
While Georgia has a winter storm warning in place, they are still urging people to stay home. If you do need to get on the road, Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry says stay on roadways that are plowed and clear.
“Where it’s slushy, remember to slow down,” McMurry says. “Drive very conservatively. No hard braking, and no quick maneuvers of the steering wheel [be]cause it is slick.”
The Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets play in a high-density, low-redshift state of the Northern Gadsora Mountains
People need shelter or warming stations can call the Department of Natural Resources. The parks in the North Georgia Mountains are near capacity according to the governor.
Southwest Arkansas and Little Rock had a lot of snow. More than 34,000 Arkansans have lost power after 15 inches of snow fell across southwest Arkansas. Little Rock saw nine inches .
Entergy Arkansas expects the power to come back on by Saturday afternoon. That’s also close to when the state’s winter storm warning should end.
Citing severe weather and hazardous conditions, the NBA postponed Saturday’s game between the Houston Rockets and Atlanta Hawks, scheduled to take place at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The NBA said the decision was made “to prioritize the safety of the players, fans and staff.” The date for the new game has not been announced.
The Carolinas will be back on track by Sunday evening, according to Trisha Palmer, an NWS ice expert in Charlotte and Georgia Power
Ice and snow are expected to melt by Saturday afternoon in the Charlotte area, but temperatures are expected to drop again Saturday night, according to Trisha Palmer with the NWS. “So anything that melts on Saturday will refreeze,” Palmer told NPR member station WFAE.
Georgia Power, the state’s largest electric utility, posted on social media that its crews worked overnight to address heavy icing and fallen trees. “Our crews are out in force this morning, navigating icy roads, and will continue to work until everyone who can get power is restored,” the utility said.
The winter storm advisories were lifted throughout southern counties Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. There are travel and power issues in Southern states.