Waking up to winter weather

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Accuweather Senior Meteorologist Tom Kines said a weather system came out of the Rockies last night, causing temperatures to drop below zero with wind speeds between 15 and 25 mph.

“The temperature these next few days will be bitter cold,” Kines said. “Even though temperatures will be between zero and -10 degrees, it will feel like its 20-25 below at night.”

Kines said it will be a struggle getting the temperature back into the single digits until Sunday.

He also predicts the area will be hit with between two and four inches of snow, but added there is a chance southwest North Dakota may see more than that.

Area officials are doing their best to prepare.

“We sanded Thursday,” Al Heiser, Stark County road superintendent said Friday. “But sanding can be a double edged sword, without it the roads can become really slippery, but snow also sticks to sand.”

Heiser said road crews did not go out Friday morning, but added the equipment is sitting warm in the shop and the tanks are full, ready to go if need be.

Stark County Emergency Manager Brent Pringle said residents should prepare.

“Residents may want to double check that they have plenty of food and water before any major snow event,” Pringle said. “It is also a good idea to have blankets, flashlights and warm clothing readily available both at home and in the vehicle.”

Tags: winter weather, news