The first snowflakes of the winter season fell on Riverview over the weekend.
For about 3 hours on Saturday morning, December 4th, the Riverview Community was hit with what some residents would call, a blinding snowstorm. From dry to wet, the temperature hovering around 30 degrees, the snow began to stick.
The snow was part of a weather system that hit the upper midwest and stretched from North Carolina back to Wisconsin and Minnesota. Because of the winter jet stream and the geography of the mountains (southwest to northeast), much of Kingsport's weather comes from the midwest.
Fortunately, the ground was still kinda warm, and by 12 noon, the snow was gone in Riverview, leaving behind just a wet surface with pools of water.
But you know the weather in Riverview. If you don't like what you see, give it a few minutes.
Later in the afternoon, the clouds darkened again and this time, ice pellets began falling in the community. The winds picked back up again, and things turned slick and hazardous.
Again, the temperature warmed slightly, and by 5 PM, the ice pellets had turned over to rain. By nightfall, the streets had turned slick once again.
It's a forecast of weather still to come in our community. It's also a good time to remind friends and neighbors, to make sure doors and windows are insulated (leave a little air though.. homes should not be COMPLETELY sealed off.. experts say they need to breathe a little bit so they won't accumlate harmful air). Also, keep space heaters at least 4 fee away from walls, furniture, chairs, drapes, and anything flammable. If you can stand an inside temperature of 68-70 degrees, it will help keep your electric or gas bill down. Keep fresh gas in the car, so that moisture won't get into the motor. If the power goes off, use flashlights in the house, instead of candles or gas-powered lights like propane.
And above all.. please check on your neighbors. Make sure they're comfortable and have what they need to get by.
