Snow blankets Chattanooga area; below freezing temperatures expected Saturday night

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Snow covers the landscape along Davidson Road in East Brainerd on February 8, 2020.
Staff Photo by Robin Rudd / Snow covers the landscape along Davidson Road in East Brainerd on February 8, 2020.

UPDATE: Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing Saturday night, according to the National Weather Service.

Any remaining slush and water across the area roadways could refreeze, potentially causing areas of black ice overnight and early Sunday morning.

Drivers may also run into patchy freezing fog Saturday night, so they are encouraged to travel slowly and carefully on roadways while looking out for slick spots.

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ORIGINAL STORY: Many Chattanooga area residents woke up to snow Saturday morning, with some areas accumulating up to five inches.

Most area counties are in a winter weather advisory, according to the National Weather Service. Hamilton, Bradley, McMinn, Marion, Meigs, Rhea, Bledsoe, Sequatchie, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Chattooga and Gordon counties are in a weather advisory until 4 p.m. Saturday.

Snow with a possible mix of sleet and rain is expected at times. Total snow accumulations of two to four but up to five inches across the higher elevations is expected, NWS reports, with snowfall mainly over grassy and elevated surfaces.

Slippery road conditions are expected, especially in higher elevations and bridges and overpasses.

Temperatures should climb above freezing late Saturday morning, and especially by afternoon. Snow accumulation should end around 10-11 a.m., according to our news partners at WRCB.

The wintry weather caused both Chickamauga Dam and Veterans Bridge to close in both directions on Saturday. Police say there have been some minor crashes. Veterans Bridge has since reopened to traffic, according to a tweet from the Chattanooga Police Department.

Snowfall was also seen on Highway 111 headed towards Dunlap, with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office warning people to stay off the roads if they can, according to a tweet.

Next week, heavy rainfall is expected Monday through Thursday. The potential exists for greater than 4 inches of rain, mainly across southeast Tennessee and southwest North Carolina. This may cause additional flooding problems toward the middle of next week.

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Due to the weather, the re-opening event at East Lake Park has been postponed to a later date which will be shared in a few weeks, according to a news release from Chattanooga government.

The Hunter Museum of American Art will be closed Saturday due to the inclement weather, according to a release from Cara McGowan.

A meet-and-greet with Jim Hill at Amigo's Mexican Restaurant in Rossville, Georgia has been canceled Saturday.

This is a developing story. Stay with the Times Free Press for updates.

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