More wintry weather expected

Published Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Karlie Mobley, 10, (left) and Samantha Albert, 11, have a blast being pulled on a sled in Zuni. Samantha is the daughter of Chad and Cassandra Albert and Karlie is the daughter of Felicia Mobley.

FRANKLIN—Snow-melting rain and higher temperatures are expected today, but another weather system could bring frozen precipitation to the region again next weekend.

According to the National Weather Service, Tuesday night temperatures were expected to fall to around 32 degrees. Highs in the mid-40s are expected today and Thursday with rain likely Friday. Snow could mix with rain Friday night and Saturday.

Isle of Wight County Schools has canceled all classes for today, citing icy road conditions as the reason. Regular full-time employees are asked to report to work as usual. Southampton County schools also are closed.

Franklin Public Schools have canceled classes today, but school and central office personnel should report on a two-hour delay.

All schools were closed Monday and Tuesday as well.

The Franklin High School boys’ basketball game against Surry was been postponed until further notice.

After a couple of false alarms this winter, snow blanketed Western Tidewater overnight Friday and through much of Saturday. It wasn’t close to the foot of snow that meteorologists had said was possible, but the accumulation was significant. From 6 inches to 8 inches fell in Franklin and Southampton County.

Road crews remained busy clearing area roads. According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, most state-maintained primary roads are listed as clear, or in minor condition because of icy patches.

However, some primary and most secondary roads in the area remain in moderate condition, meaning snow and ice are covering a major portion of the roadway, but they are still passable with caution.

Route 186 was listed Tuesday afternoon as moderate condition from the North Carolina border to Courtland, because of snow and ice. Route 35 is listed as moderate from the North Carolina border to the Sussex County.

Spokeswoman Lauren Hansen said VDOT workers have been keeping a close eye on roadways that are lined with trees, which seem to be blocking sunlight and keeping those roads icy or snow-covered.

“We are going to have crews at the ready to treat any road conditions that develop tomorrow,” she said Monday. “They’ll be ready for whatever Mother Nature has in store for us.”

City crews also cleared public parking lots at City Hall, the library and the health department, among others.

Russ Pace, Franklin’s director of public works, explained the reasoning behind clearing parking lots while roads in the city were still tricky to maneuver.

“Those areas are cleared by different crews and different machinery,” Pace said.

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