EVANSVILLE – There’s now an overwhelming possibility Evansville will see 6 or more inches of snow this weekend and perhaps a lot more, bringing what the National Weather Service calls “extremely dangerous or impossible driving conditions” and “substantial disruptions to daily life.”
The latest forecast Thursday morning continued the same disturbing trend of the last few days: potential snow amounts between Saturday and Sunday keep climbing.
The city has about a 78% shot at 6 or more inches, the NWS believes. The chance for 8 or inches isn’t much lower, at 63%.
According to Thursday’s bulletin, Evansville and Henderson, Kentucky fall within a fairly expansive swath that could sustain “the highest heavy snow potential.” Figures thrown around by forecasters this week have hovered around 12 inches or more.
All that could bring “extensive and widespread closures” and potential power outages, the NWS wrote. NWS upgraded the winter storm watch the entire area was under to a winter storm warning on Thursday afternoon.
On the top of the snow, it’s going to be dangerously cold in the Tri-State
Snow won’t be the only problem.
High temperatures will cannonball into the teens or lower 20s at best between Friday and Monday. But it won’t even feel that warm. Wind chills will drop to negative-2 between Friday and Saturday before spiraling as low as negative-7 Monday and Tuesday.
That will create “life-threatening” conditions for anyone stuck in the snow after a car wreck, the NWS wrote earlier this week. It could be even more dangerous for the homeless in the Evansville area. Any elongated power outages could turn treacherous as well.
Is there any chance of ice or freezing rain?
Not really in Evansville.
Southwestern Indiana will likely dodge the “significant and damaging ice accumulations” the NWS predicts for a huge chunk of the south and southeastern U.S.
Parts of Southern Kentucky, though, could see a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain.
Will the wind bring a chance of snow drifts?
On Wednesday, NWS downplayed the possibility of high winds, saying gusts would top out around 12 miles per hour. Just like the snow totals, that climbed a bit Thursday. Forecasters now warn of potential 20-mile-per-hour gusts that reduce visibility down to a mile or less.
What should I do to protect myself and my home?
As always in situations like this, the NWS urged everyone to avoid unnecessary travel during the stretches of heavy snow and brutal cold.
Residents should also stock up on emergency supplies in both their homes and vehicles. That includes plenty of food, batteries, and warm clothes – coats, hats, gloves, scarves, the whole bit.
You should also leave your faucets dripping Friday night through at least Wednesday night to help keep pipes from freezing. Securing outside faucets in foam covers or fabric “socks” will help as well.
If you do lose power, keep any generators at least 20 feet from your house, and don’t cover space heaters with blankets or clothes.
Pets should be brought inside, or at least given access to warmth, shelter, and plenty of water.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Potential snow totals for Tri-State this weekend have climbed again
Reporting by Jon Webb, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
