Keep your ice scraper out because the Monday freezing temps were just a tiny preview of what weather experts say will hit Tuesday and Wednesday and possibly into Thursday.
Monday morning saw freezing drizzle all over the Odessa-Midland area, forcing school closures and numerous wrecks on icy roads.
The Ector County Independent School District initially opened schools as weather between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m., which is when the determination to close schools is made, was cold but not icy. However, freezing sleet and rain by about 7:15 a.m. left roads slick and ECISD closed shop for the day. The decision on Tuesday’s school day is a two hour late start but district officials will determine by 6:30 a.m. if the entire day should be cancelled and will alert parents.
UTPB via Facebook indicated that classes will be remote only on Tuesday but reminded students to check Canvas and email.
On Monday, city and county offices as well as the courthouse were closed by about 8 a.m. due to the weather. Ector County Judge Dustin Fawcett issued a press release Monday afternoon that stated county offices will also be closed on Tuesday.
The National Weather Service in Midland says to not expect normal conditions to return until later this week but for Tuesday and Wednesday freezing conditions are expected and possibly Thursday morning.
“We had a pretty strong cold front that came through late Sunday and early Monday that’s been working its way through the region,” Forecaster David Munyan at the National Weather Service in Midland said. “Along with that, we’ve had increasing moisture in the low levels so what that ultimately combines to create is freezing drizzle. It’s not freezing rain or snow. You get small droplets that small to the ground like rain would. Ultimately, it has the same effect where you have moisture hitting the ground when we have temperatures in the low to mid-20s, which will then freeze and create a glaze of ice on the surface.”
Conditions did improve in the early afternoon hours on Monday with visibility returning and low level moisture moving out. However, much of the freezing, low level moisture should return Tuesday morning.
“Unfortunately, as we get into tomorrow, we’ll see pretty much the same thing,” Munyan said. “We’ll see a little more moisture and probably another round of that freezing drizzle. Overnight tonight and into tomorrow morning. I expect road conditions tomorrow to look pretty similar to what they were Monday. … The real system causing all of this will probably get closer as we get to later in the day tomorrow and earlier into Wednesday.”
That’s when the Permian Basin should expect freezing rain.
“That’s when we’ll get more moisture rather than just low-level moisture,” Munyan said. “That’ll create regular freezing rain, not just freezing drizzle. … it’s possible we can see ice accumulations, when all is said and done come Wednesday, of at least a tenth of an inch across the large portion of the Permian Basin, maybe to a quarter inch as we get closer to the far eastern portion of the Permian Basin. We’re going to see some sketchy conditions.”
Munyan says the greatest concern should be Tuesday night and Wednesday where Odessa is expected to get more consistent rain fall and creating ice to much higher amounts than what was seen on Monday.
The high on Monday was 30 degrees with a low of 21. The Department of Public Safety reported 55 accidents from midnight to noon on Monday. The Odessa Police Department reported working about 30 crashes before 10 a.m. Monday.
THE FORECAST
Tuesday is expected to be mostly cloudy with a high of just 29 and a low 22.
In addition to freezing rain, Wednesday is expected to see a high of 38 and a low of 24.
Conditions aren’t expected to get better until Thursday where the high will be 55 and a low of 31 with a 60 percent chance of showers.
“After a brief reprieve this afternoon, the deteriorating will begin again tonight and that won’t probably improve again until maybe Thursday. There’s a chance that portions of the area could rise above freezing Wednesday afternoon, more like in the southwestern portion of the Permian Basin. We’re currently forecasting high of around 35 degrees Wednesday afternoon. That could give a chance for the rain as true rain rather than freezing rain. But portions of the northern Permian Basin could see extended freezing rain from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning. Really, Thursday morning and afternoon is when we see the conditions start to return to normal.”
Friday is expected to be sunny with a high of 58 and a low of 29 while Saturday is expected to see a return to the 60s with a high of 63 and a low of 36.
It’s the second consecutive week that a system has moved through the Permian Basin.
Last week saw another system that brought snow to the northern portions of the Permian Basin including Seminole. Odessa and Midland remained intact from the worst conditions last week as snow ended up melting after hitting the ground.
It’s not clear if another winter storm system is expected next week but that could change over the next few days.
“As far as that goes, we’re not too concerned at this time,” Munyan said. “By this weekend, we should see temperatures back in the 60s and maybe upper 60s by next Monday. We’ll probably have another system next week but right now, it’s not expecting too much as far as winter weather. But it’s still too far out to be sure.”
ROAD CONDITIONS
Icy conditions plagued the roads throughout Odessa Monday.
As of Monday morning, there were roughly 30 crashes on Odessa roads.
The Odessa Police Department and TxDOT has been urging motorists to be careful and to use “extreme caution” while traveling on Interstate 20, Highway 80 and Highway 191.
On Monday, Interstates 10 and 20 were being treated for ice as well as bridges and overpasses, according to a press release from TxDOT.
“We have morning calls that we talk about what the weather is going to be like that day and how we should prepare for the next day,” TxDOT Public Information Director for the Odessa district Maryann Cedillo said “We’re out with the trucks and putting brine on the streets, mostly the overpasses and bridges on the interstate so those can have a little more traction.”
TxDOT is still strongly advising people to stay off the roads and to be careful if they must travel over the next few days.
“We’re expecting more precipitation for tomorrow and the next day,” Cedillo said.
Cedillo says the biggest concern has been tier I streets which are the bridges and overpasses along the interstate in addition to other hot spots around town that are more prone to being slick and are also being treated.
Cedillo urges drivers to go slow on the roads.
“The advice is if you have to be on the road, make sure you have enough time to get to where you need to go so that you’re not in a rush,” Cedillo said. “Make sure you leave enough space between yourself and the person in front of you so that you have enough time to react and brake in an appropriate amount of time. Just because it looks like it’s safe doesn’t mean that it is.”
Current road conditions can be found online at https://drivetexas.org/#/10/31.7352/-102.1707?future=false.
SOUP/SHELTERS
Curb Side Bistro, 3816 Andrews Highway, will offer a free cup of soup on Tuesday for those who need it.
The Salvation Army shelter at 810 E. 11th St., is open with sign up at 6 p.m.
The Ector County Sheriff’s office warming shelter at 2261 W. Sycamore is also open. Call 335-3050.
