At least two wrecks were reported late Thursday morning as temperatures dropped and rain changed to snow, coating the roadways.
One wreck was reported on Route 33 east toward Elkins, and another a few minutes later on the Old Elkins Road near the water board. In the former, the vehicle slid into the median and was not damaged, while the latter car went over the hillside and hit a pole.
No serious injuries were reported in either, but phone lines were reported across the road on the Old Elkins Road.
The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement for Upshur County warning travel could be ‘treacherous.’
“Another blast of winter will continue today, bringing much colder air back to the region, along with a changeover to snow,” the statement reads. “The changeover will continue from west to east this morning and will continue as snow showers or flurries this afternoon. Moisture on roads from previous rain may freeze beneath a light coating of snow, as temperatures fall below freezing the rest of today.”
“Temperatures will drop into the 20s to lower 30s over the middle Ohio valley today, quickest west of the Ohio river, and by early afternoon in the mountains. Temperatures over the higher elevations of the mountainous terrain will drop sharply through the 20s this afternoon.”
The NWS is not predicting much snow accumulation, but warns of black ice.
“Generally around an inch or less of snow can be expected across the middle Ohio valley today, with one to two inches in the higher elevations today,” according to the special weather statement. “With the falling temperatures today, black ice formation will cause slippery conditions on roadways the rest of today.
“If traveling, use extra caution and allow extra time for travel. Conditions over the higher elevations of the mountainous terrain could become rather treacherous this afternoon.”
