St. Louis, MO – The National Weather Service (NWS) in St. Louis is urging residents to prepare for freezing rain as part of Winter Weather Preparedness Week. Officials warn that freezing rain can create extremely hazardous conditions on roads, sidewalks, and power lines across Missouri.
According to the NWS, freezing rain develops when super-cooled rain falls onto surfaces that are below freezing. The result is a thin, nearly invisible layer of ice that can make travel and walking treacherous. The agency emphasizes that freezing rain is often more dangerous than snow because ice can form quickly and is difficult to see until it’s too late.
Residents are advised to avoid driving if freezing rain is occurring or has recently stopped. Ice accumulation can also lead to falling branches and power lines, increasing the risk of outages and damage.
Meteorologists recommend monitoring local forecasts closely this week, particularly during overnight and early morning hours when temperatures are lowest.
Safety Tips:
- Delay travel until temperatures rise above freezing.
- Watch for black ice on bridges and untreated roads.
- Be cautious of ice-covered sidewalks and steps.
This reminder comes as Missouri heads into the heart of winter weather season, when freezing rain and ice storms become more common across the state.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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