MONROE - The region's first major snowfall crept in like a lamb on Thursday morning, Jan. 12, and continued about 12 hours.
Area authorities were reporting few accidents by early evening, after a day of blustery snowfall that caused most area schools to close early. The National Weather Service predicted 5 inches of total snow accumulation by the end of the snowfall, expected to go into early Friday morning hours, and warned against slippery roads.
"We've had some really minor stuff - trailers that slid and hit a parked car," said Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley.
He said he worried about the timing of the snow, which was still falling when most plow drivers finished their shifts at 3:30 p.m. Unlike a snowfall that sneaks in overnight, leaving a sparkling layer by daybreak, this one came on during the day. Plowing is best done after the volume of snowfall drops, Kelley said.
The Green and Lafayette County Sheriff's Departments also reported minimal accidents on the road as of early evening.
Terry Roth, dispatcher with the Green County Highway Department, reported a few fender benders but nothing serious. Highway crews were out clearing snow until 8 p.m. and were scheduled to return to the job at 4 a.m. today, Jan. 13.
A dispatcher at the Monroe Cab Company said business had been pretty slow all day.
"Thank goodness people are staying in," Steve Zschernitz said.
Area authorities were reporting few accidents by early evening, after a day of blustery snowfall that caused most area schools to close early. The National Weather Service predicted 5 inches of total snow accumulation by the end of the snowfall, expected to go into early Friday morning hours, and warned against slippery roads.
"We've had some really minor stuff - trailers that slid and hit a parked car," said Monroe Police Chief Fred Kelley.
He said he worried about the timing of the snow, which was still falling when most plow drivers finished their shifts at 3:30 p.m. Unlike a snowfall that sneaks in overnight, leaving a sparkling layer by daybreak, this one came on during the day. Plowing is best done after the volume of snowfall drops, Kelley said.
The Green and Lafayette County Sheriff's Departments also reported minimal accidents on the road as of early evening.
Terry Roth, dispatcher with the Green County Highway Department, reported a few fender benders but nothing serious. Highway crews were out clearing snow until 8 p.m. and were scheduled to return to the job at 4 a.m. today, Jan. 13.
A dispatcher at the Monroe Cab Company said business had been pretty slow all day.
"Thank goodness people are staying in," Steve Zschernitz said.