On the evening of December the 17th,
a low pressure system transited across the gulf states throwing up
moisture laden air into the center of the United States. This air
slammed into a arctic vortex that barreled down from northern Canada.
Boasting temperatures in the low teens, the super chilled air travel
quickly over a fresh snow pack that cover the northern tier of
states. These two forces coming together, resulted in hurricane force
winds that carried a mixture of sleet and snow. Before the dawn of
the next day, snow amounts were in excess of 13 inches in some
locales with eight foot drifts that closed many key arteries. Power
outages were widespread.
In the southwest portion of the state,
cities like Branson were also treated to a horrific ice storm
that coated trees, bridges and power cables. Reports of downed power
lines were so numerous, that a State of Emergency was
announced by the Governor's Office. Thousands were without power and
also could not travel due to treacherous road conditions as of
Tuesday, December 18. The National Weather Service then announced the
approach of an even larger system that was forecast to arrive over the
weekend.
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While this piece was just a flight of
fancy, such a storm could happen sometime in the future. Everyone,
then, should take sensible steps to insure they have some of the
following:
Have a Weather radio on hand that is
turned on all the time.
Have enough food to last at least a
week.
Have an auxiliary source of heat or
generator.
Get a check up for your vehicle or
vehicles. Be winter ready!
Have a get out of Dodge plan to move
out of a severe winter storms path.
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