Severe Ice Storms Hit Iowa and Eastern Nebraska, Unusual Tornado Warning Issued for San Francisco
OMAHA, Neb.—A significant ice storm has left hazardous driving conditions throughout Iowa and eastern Nebraska this past weekend, leading to temporary closures of Interstate 80 as numerous vehicles skidded off the road.
As the storm struck Friday evening, a multitude of events were canceled across the region, and businesses announced they would open late on Saturday while officials urged residents to remain indoors if possible. However, temperatures are forecasted to rise sufficiently on Saturday afternoon to melt the ice in most areas.
“Fortunately, warmer air is moving in behind this to make it a temporary situation,” noted National Weather Service meteorologist Dave Cousins from the Davenport, Iowa office.
In other regions, a storm triggered the first tornado warning ever issued in San Francisco, resulting in some property damage. Meanwhile, in the Northeast, residents are clearing away heavy snow that blanketed upstate New York.
The city, which hasn’t experienced a tornado since 2005, suffered some toppled trees and damaged roofs, as reported by the Weather Service. Assessments were underway Saturday on the northwest side of the city to determine if a tornado had indeed occurred.
“This was the first-ever warning for a potential tornado in San Francisco. I would guess that there wasn’t a clear signature on radar for a warning back in 2005,” stated Roger Gass, a meteorologist from the Weather Service’s Monterey, California office, who was not present in 2005.
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The rapidly approaching storm led to warnings urging residents to find shelter, yet few homes in the area are equipped with basements. Meteorologist Dalton Behringer advised, “the best advice we provide to people in the city is to put as many walls between yourself and the outside as possible.”
Near Orchard Park, New York, over 33 inches (84 centimeters) of snow was recorded, but locals are accustomed to navigating heavy lake-effect snow around this time of year.
By Josh Funk
