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Photo by Foss Farrar click image to enlarge

Thunderstorm dumps ice on city

By FOSS FARRAR
Traveler Staff Writer
reporter@arkcity.net

An early morning thunderstorm produced lightning, sleet and hail, and the Arkansas City area remained under a winter weather advisory until mid-afternoon today, weather officials said.

Reports across Cowley County were for one-quarter to one-half inch accumulation of sleet, freezing rain and pea-size to dime- or nickel-size hail, said Bob Frazee, emergency management coordinator for Ark City.

The winter weather advisory issued by the National Weather Service was in effect until 3 p.m. A previous winter storm warning had been issued earlier but was canceled.

Patchy areas of freezing drizzle were expected later this morning, but only light additional ice accumulations were expected.

But the NWS cautioned drivers that roads "will remain very slick and hazardous from sleet and freezing rain."

Law enforcement agencies in Cowley County reported no serious accidents due to slick roads. No accidents had been reported to Arkansas City police or the Cowley County Sheriff's Department. Only one non-injury accident was reported in Winfield, a police spokeswoman there said.

The NWS forecast for this afternoon: Chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 38. East southeast wind 5 to 8 mph becoming southwest. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Calm wind becoming north northwest between 6 and 9 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 42. North northwest wind between 9 and 13 mph.

Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 27. East northeast wind at 7 mph becoming south.

Above: Arkansas City resident Michael Simpson scrapes ice off his windshield this morning before heading off to do some shopping. Cowley County received one-quarter to one-half inch accumulation of sleet, freezing rain and hail.