The snowstorm that meteorologists predicted never materialized Monday morning, but forecasters see the miss as the latest mystery in a winter that has everyone stumped.
"This year has been very unusual in that all states except Hawaii had snowfall on the ground (at some point)," National Weather Service meteorologist Shawn O'Neill said. "Usually there are some warm-ups before the cool downs, but the main air mass coming into the Tennessee Valley is coming straight from Alaska and the Arctic."
A lack of a counterbalancing warm air mass from South America and Mexico is the main reason for the prolonged cold conditions here, he said.
But there is a ray of hope. Local meteorologists have reason to believe that warmer temperatures should finally start creeping into the area.
"Warming means 'just slight,'" said David Glenn, chief meteorologist NewsChannel 9. "It's going to be a very slow warm-up for the week. A lot of higher elevations may not go above freezing, but we should be getting to the upper 40s for highs by Friday."
Driving tips* Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand)* If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather* Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up* Make sure your tires are properly inflatedSource: AAAMondayHigh: 38 Low: 28Total precipitation in Chattanooga: 0.17 in.ForecastTodayHigh: 37 Low: 25Temperatures will stay cold, but partly cloudy skies should keep precipitation out of the questionWednesdayHigh: 42 Low: 25Things finally start to warm up, but the nighttime cold snap will remainThursdayHigh: 44 Low: 26The partly-cloudy warming trend continues -- slowlySource: NewsChannel 9School closings todayTennesseeHamilton CountyBledsoe CountyGrundy CountyMarion CountyRhea CountyRichard Hardy MemorialGeorgiaDade CountyON THE WEBStay on top of the area's winter weather by visiting www.timesfreepress.com/weatherforecast.
On Monday evening, still-freezing temperatures and icy roads prompted authorities from Hamilton, Bledsoe, Grundy, Marion and Rhea counties in Tennessee and Dade County in Georgia to close their school systems today, giving another day off after the Presidents Day holiday.
Monday's frigid temperatures stirred local officials to actions not usually taken on an average rainy day.
"We had the trucks putting out that salt-sand mixture stuff," Walker County Coordinator David Ashburn said. "It went fair. We had some wrecks and stuff like that, but you have that on perfect days, too."
Although about 3 inches of snow fell Monday on Lookout and Signal mountains, most area residents woke up to a dangerous sleet mix that ended in tragedy on two Chattanooga roads.
Marvin Whitmire, 80, and his wife, Dorothy, 78, both of Spring City, Tenn., were in a wreck at 15800 Dayton Pike Monday morning, said Janice Atkinson, spokeswoman for the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
Mrs. Whitmire was pronounced dead at the scene, Ms. Atkinson said. Mr. Whitmire was transported to Erlanger hospital, where he died from his injuries.
The second wreck resembled more of a chain reaction typical in winter storms.
About 6:50 a.m. Monday, a vehicle began spinning on the overpass at Highway 153 and Bonny Oaks Drive but did not strike anything, said Lt. Kim Noorbergen, a spokeswoman with the Chattanooga Police Department.
But a second vehicle, a Ford Mustang driven by Jeff Cardwell, began to brake to avoid the spinning vehicle then slid on ice into a concrete barrier, Lt. Noorbergen said.
A Jeep, driven by victim Melvin Sharp, 49, braked to avoid Mr. Cardwell's car, slid sideways and slammed into the rear of the Mustang.
Mr. Sharp, of 4830 Hal Drive in Chattanooga, was not wearing a seat belt and partially was ejected on impact, Lt. Noorbergen said. He was pronounced dead at the scene, she said.
Mr. Cardwell is listed in critical condition at Erlanger hospital, according to police.
Staff writer Todd South contributed reporting to this story.