Rain today might turn into snow tonight.

Thursday, January 13, 2000

Rain today might turn into snow tonight. But don’t prepare the sleds and ice skates just yet, said Tom Mazza, meteorologist with the Charleston, W.Va., Bureau of the National Weather Service.

Lawrence County residents shouldn’t see any accumulation from the light dusting of snow today, Mazza said.

"There is a low pressure system and cold front coming through (this) morning," Mazza said. "Then there will be a cold front coming in during the day and the rain should turn into snow showers in the afternoon as temperatures fall into the 30s."

The cold weather is making its way here from Nebraska, but will soon head north, which explains why Lawrence County won’t be getting a heavy coating of snow, Mazza said.

"It’s been kind of a quiet winter," he said. "Other than the snow we received Christmas Eve, it’s not been to active of a winter."

Although the snow won’t be sticking around, the cold temperatures will, Mazza added.

"It’s not going to warm back up quickly," he said. "Friday, it will still be cold with highs in the mid- to upper-30s. And we’ve got another system coming through on Saturday."

But like the one today, Saturday’s storm will only net a few snow showers, Mazza added.

"Saturday night into Sunday, it will be kind of a similar deal with the system we’re dealing with now," he said.

If the mountainous areas in the region do see any accumulation, motorists should take extra precautions when traveling in the morning hours, Ohio Highway Patrol Lt. Jim Coleman said.

"The first thing someone needs to do when they expect snow and ice on the ground is to drive at a rate of speed that will allow them to adjust when they do encounter snow or an ice-covered patch," Coleman said. "Basically, that takes a little preplanning."

Area residents should allow extra time to get to work when snow or ice is forecast, Coleman said.

"Whenever you leave for work on a clear day, if you leave at 7:30 a.m. and that allows you to get to work with a few minutes to spare, you should leave earlier in inclimate weather," he said. "You have to slow down for road conditions."

If a slide does occur while on one of the county’s roads, the first thing to do is "steer in the direction of the slide and don’t hit the brakes," Coleman said.