Predictions About Ice in Cary are Exaggerated
Cary, NC – Around Cary, residents are talking online about fears of ice and freezing weather while stocking up at the grocery store. But according to weather reports for the week, these concerns are overblown to say the least.
Temperatures Below Freezing
Between heavy rainstorms and cold temperatures this past weekend, fears about icy roads and incoming frost spread in Cary. There is some basis for these concerns. There was more than five inches of cumulative rainfall recorded by the weather station at Raleigh-Durham International Airport over this weekend and there is still a lot of moisture left in Cary. Also, temperatures are dropping, with nightly temperatures this week going below freezing. That is even more factoring in wind chill, with wind speeds between six and nine miles per hour all weekend.
However, this will likely not lead to ice or frost, at least not in any significant amount. This Monday and Tuesday, March 4 and 5, 2019, there will still be cloud cover but temperatures are also picking up throughout the week. This makes it unlikely that there will be enough moisture left on the ground for anything to freeze over at night.
By the time we get to Friday, March 8, 2019, rain will be back but temperatures will be back above freezing by then. While there will still be significant wind speed, it will not be enough for ice and certainly not for snow.
Preparing for the Week
While current weather forecasts say we will not be getting the ice that people across Cary seem to be expecting, there will still be very low temperatures around town, which won’t be helped out by windy conditions.
As we move into Spring, with temperatures in the Spring and Summer months likely very high as they have been increasing over the past few years, now is a good opportunity to check for gaps and air leaks in your home. It is easier to feel where cold air is sneaking in now than where it is sneaking out in the Summer. This will help with energy costs both now and in hotter months.
Make sure you keep pets indoors, particularly at night. There will be sunny weather at various points this week but temperatures will still be low. Also, if you have a garden outside, check out our tips on how to protect it against cold weather.
Story by staff reports. Photos by Hal Goodtree.
