Most ice gone by Friday, more winter precipitation, high winds coming

The ice that has paralyzed so many in the Southeast Missouri region since Monday could be completely gone by Friday, according to meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky.

Though not much, if any, melting is expected today, quite a bit of warm air is moving in Thursday, said meteorological technician Michael York.

Winds up to 30 miles per hour are also expected to move in at some point Thursday afternoon, which could bring down trees and limbs still standing, York said.

With the added weight of the ice, the strong winds could easily down branches and power lines, and more power outages could occur, according to a wind advisory in effect for Cape Girardeau, Bollinger, and Scott counties.

Temperatures are expected to reach the low 50s, with lows Thursday night not dipping below freezing.

By Friday, most if not all of the ice still clinging to trees and power lines should be melted, just in time for a new system bringing another wintery mix, York said.

Snow mixed with mostly sleet is expected Friday, with a possibility of freezing rain.

The accumulation will not be nearly as much as the last, storm, he said.