Packers Vs. Bears NFC Championship Game

NFC Championship Game, Packers Vs. Bears: Weather And Soldier Field Condition Could Play A Role

We all remember last week at Soldier Field. The turf itself was in poor condition, the sidelines were rock hard and the weather was frigid. Ahead of today’s NFC Championship between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, temperatures are again expected to be frigid, but the field looks to be in better shape, depending on who you believe. Will the conditions in Chicago play a role in today’s game, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line?

The weather is bone-chillingly cold, but no snow is expected this time around. Unlike last week, Soldier Field looks inviting, basking in the glow of sunlight this morning. When the Seattle Seahawks took the field, they were greeting by a steady snowfall and temperatures dipping into the teens. This time around, the high is expected to be in the teens, with lows perhaps dipping below 10 degrees. There is a chance of snow, but all looks clear for now.

As for the field, the condition is up for debate. If you believe CBS Sports’ Mike Freeman, Soldier Field is in poor condition again, with chunks of sod coming up as players run through warmups. Freeman said the grounds crew was spray painting the sod, comparing it to putting “”http://twitter.com/realfreemancbs/status/29219694518996992" target="new">lipstick on a pig" while noticing what looked like tire tracks on the playing surface.

On the other hand, check out some of the pictures from this morning. The turf had a tarp placed over it, protecting it from the harsh elements. The photos are zoomed out, but it doesn’t look too frightening, though we won’t know how it will hold up until the players actually get on the field.

Keep an eye on Soldier Field and the weather today as the Packers and Bears hit the field in the NFC Championship at noon on Fox.

News From: seattle.sbnation.com

KCTV5 Weathe r: Significant Snow Heading Kansas City

KCTV5 Weather: Significant Snow Heading Toward Kansas City On Wednesday

KCTV5 Chief Meteorologist Katie Horner says snow will start falling in the metro between 2 and 4 p.m. Wednesday.







News From: www.americanconsumernews.com

Weather Kansas City

Weather Kansas City Video

Weather Kansas City Chief Meteorologist Katie Horner said that the snow began to fall in the underground between 2 and 16 pm on Wednesday. “Weather Kansas City: heavy snow on the road against Weather Kansas City on Wednesday, are classified as” local. “This Weather Kansas City video is authorized to confiscate the nets. Copyright This kmbc weather video is For more information about video content, click on the “video” at the top of the page.

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Transparency Spreads To Local School District

Wichita - January 10, 2011 - In a continuing effort to make data accessible to Kansas taxpayers, KansasOpenGov.org now hosts district checkbooks, payroll listings, and employment agreements for five districts from across the state. Fully searchable data is available for school districts in Olathe, Shawnee Mission, Garden City, Hutchinson, and Emporia. As many districts discuss potentially dramatic cuts that would impact the classroom, it is important to have a clear understanding of how schools spend taxpayer money.

"Citizens have a right to know how their tax dollars are being spent at all levels of government - this is no different with local school districts," offered KPI President Dave Trabert. "School spending is 53% of state general fund spending and people should be able to know how that money is being spent, right down to the last dollar."

Some of the noteworthy findings from the 2009-10 school year for the five districts posted today include;
USD 308 in Hutchinson spent well over $100,000 for staff to attend conferences and workshops;
USD 512 Shawnee Mission paid $62,711 to the Head Custodian at one high school;
A $46,398 raise was given to the superintendent of USD 233 in Olathe over the past two years, bringing last year's total pay to $272,229;
USD 253 Emporia's two highest paid teachers each were paid more than $72,000 and both are Physical Education teachers;
USD 457 Garden City spent over $188,000 on consultants;
72 people were paid more $100,000 by Shawnee Mission; Olathe, with similar enrollment, had 52 people above the $100,000 level.
This school district information was obtained directly from the individual school district using Kansas Open Records requests. Five more districts around the state will be added later in January.

Trabert continued, "This isn't about saying who is spending too much or too little. It is about empowering taxpayers, school employees and elected officials with data to help them make informed decisions. We all want every Kansas kid to have a solid, cost-effective education. This kind of information helps make that a reality."

"Kansas faces a budget projected budget deficit of over $500 million next year and we have to start asking tough questions and making tough decisions. We need to position our state for economic growth now and not kick the can down the road. This includes challenging every student with the right educational opportunities, but it also means financing it with sound policy that allows for entrepreneurial job creation," concluded Trabert.

Kansas Orthodontist Steps Up College Scholarship Support

Robert Fry, DDS, of Fry Orthodontics, Overland Park, Kansas, and his family have created a new scholarship program for students from the Olathe School District. The Harmony Challenge program will select four sophomore students from the school district this spring to receive college scholarships.

The selected students will receive a scholarship, as well as continuing support including job and internship opportunities, mentorship programs, and schoolwork support.

For the past 10 years, the Frys had provided the scholarships anonymously. They decided to get involved publicly to provide more direct support to the students as they progress.

News From : www.kiowacountysignal.com

Snow In Hawaii Video News

Snow In Hawaii

Snow In Hawaii, While the U.S. Northeast excavations in a snowstorm, summits on the Big Island of Hawaii should be about a foot of snow, the National Weather Service reported. The snow was on the ground today in all U.S. states except Florida, covering 71 percent of the earth at an average depth of 6.9 inches (18 centimeters), according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
A winter storm warning was issued for the mountains of Hawaii, rising nearly 14,000 feet,
well above the freezing point, said John Bravender, a weather service meteorologist in Honolulu.
“There is a potential for up to 12 inches through Thursday,” said Bravender.
Bravender said a cold front reached the moisture-laden islands yesterday, and a front of about 400 miles west is causing more storms to develop. Severe thunderstorms and jets of water are possible, depending on the weather service.
In addition to the threat of snow in the mountains, heavy rains caused a flash flood watch for all islands until tomorrow, the weather service.
During La Nina years, when the Pacific cools, the potential for severe snowstorms that leads to increases of Hawaii Mountains, Bravender said. On average, about three winter storm warnings are issued each year.
La Ni? A typically occurs every three to five years and lasts nine to 12 months, with some persisting as long as two years.
Snow in most states of the United States is an unusual event, “said Andy Mussolini, a meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc. in State College, Pennsylvania.Snow in most states of the United States is an unusual event, “said Andy Mussolini, a meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc. in State College, Pennsylvania.

Snow In Hawaii (VIDEO)

Bad Snow Storm to Slam East Coast

Another Bad Snow Storm to Slam East Coast: NY Expected to Get 14 Inches of Snow, 18 Inches for Massachusetts (video)

Aftermath of Christmas 2010 blizzard in NYC: Bus was trapped in snow for at least three days on busy side street in New York (click image to enlarge) | Photo credit: Pamela Hall, via Atlas Shrugs

The East Coast is preparing for another snowstorm hammering — New York is anticipated to receive 14 inches of snow and other areas could receive as much as 18 inches.

City Declares Weather Emergency

Mayor Michael Bloomberg (Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty)

The city declared a weather emergency Tuesday evening but held off on declaring a snow emergency ahead of the snow storm expected to strike the city overnight.

A snow emergency declaration would have kept private vehicles without snow tires or chains off designated snow routes and bans parking along those routes. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning from Tuesday evening through Wednesday afternoon, with the heaviest snowfall expected overnight.

Mayor Bloomberg, facing criticism for bungling the response to the post-Christmas blizzard, promised to do a better job handling the snow storm expected to strike the city Tuesday night and dump between eight and 14 inches of snow and produce wind gusts up to 25 mph.

"We recognize that we did not do the job that New Yorkers rightly expect of us in the last storm," Bloomberg said Tuesday. "We intend to make sure that does not happen again."

There will be 1700 plows, 365 salt-spreaders and private contractors deployed to help with the clean-up, but the mayor and Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty warned Tuesday that the snowstorm could make for a messy commute Wednesday morning.

"The way that snow is going to come down, particularly just before daybreak, there's going to be streets that will not have been plowed," Doherty said.

During Wednesday morning's rush, many express subway trains will run on local tracks. Expect curtailed service on the 2, 3, 4 and A trains. Buses are likely to be operating on a regular schedule. Metro North is expecting to run on a reduced schedule tomorrow.

LIRR said it will need to temporarily suspend service on some lines if snow accumulates more than 10 inches and covers the third rail

Mayor Bloomberg has promised immediate changes to its storm response, after admitting mistakes in dealing with the blizzard that hit Dec. 26. That storm dropped 29 inches of snow in Staten Island, two feet in Brooklyn and 20 inches in Central Park.

Bloomberg's commissioners and a top deputy spent more than seven hours Monday at a City Council hearing about the cleanup, fielding questions about why so many streets went unplowed, ambulances and buses became stuck and 911 calls backed up.

School Closings in New York News Updates

School Closings in New York Due to Weather

There are about 312 school closings in New York currently reported via NBC New York (last Update of list is 01/11/11 10:30:06 PM EST). New York City officials declared a “weather emergency” ahead of Tuesday night’s snow storm.Academy of Mt. St. Ursula CLOSED
Academy of St. Elizabeth CLOSED
All Hallows High School CANCELED
Allamuchy Elementary School CLOSED
Amagansett School CLOSED
Archbishop Stepinac HS CLOSED
Assumption Academy CLOSED
Atlantic Highlands Elementary CLOSED
Bay Ridge Prep CLOSED
Bay Shore School District CANCELED
Bedford Central School District CLOSED
Bellmore School District CLOSED
Bellmore-Merrick Central HS CLOSED
Bergen Ctr. For Child Development CLOSED
Berkeley Heights Schools CLOSED
Bishop Kearney High School CLOSED
Bishop Loughlin HS CANCELED
Blessed Sacrament-St. Gabriel HS CANCELED
Bloomfield College CLOSED
Bogota School District CLOSED
Boonton Town Public Schools CLOSED
Boonton Township Public Schools CLOSED
Bound Brook Public Schools 90MIN DELAY
Bradley Beach Elementary CLOSED
Brewster Central School District CLOSED
Bridgehampton Schools CLOSED
Bronxville School District CLOSED
C. W. Post CLOSED
Caldwell-W. Caldwell Public Schools CLOSED
Cardinal Hayes HS CLOSED
Cardinal Spellman HS CLOSED
Carlstadt School District CLOSED
Cathedral High School HIGH SCHOOL CLOSED
Catherine McAuley HS CLOSED
Central Islip School District CANCELED
Central Islip School District CANCELED
Chancellor Academy I CLOSED
Chappaqua Central School District CLOSED
Clarkstown Central School District CANCELED
Cliffside Park Public Schools CLOSED
Collegiate School CANCELED
Colts Neck Schools CLOSED
Corpus Christi School CLOSED
Cranford Public Schools CANCELED
Croton-Harmon USFD CLOSED
David Gregory School CLOSED
Deal School District CLOSED
Deer Park School District CLOSED
Dobbs Ferry Union Free District CLOSED
Dover School District CLOSED
Dumont Public Schools CLOSED
Dunellen School District CLOSED
East Amwell Schools CLOSED
East Hanover School District CLOSED
East Newark Public Schools CLOSED
East Ramapo Central School Dist. CLOSED
East Rutherford Public Schools CLOSED
Edgemont Union Free District CLOSED
Ellenville School District CLOSED
Elmwood Park Schools CLOSED
Elwood School District CANCELED
Emerson Public Schools CLOSED
Englewood Cliffs School District CLOSED
Englewood Public Schools CLOSED
Fair Lawn Public Schools CANCELED
Fairleigh Dickinson University CLOSED
Fairleigh Dickinson University CLOSED
Farmingdale Public Schools CLOSED
Flemington-Raritan Regional Dist. CLOSED
Fontbonne Hall Academy CLOSED
Fort Lee School District CLOSED
Franklin Township Public Schools CANCELED
Fredon School District CLOSED
Freehold Regional HS District CLOSED
Freehold Township Schools CLOSED
Garden City Public Schools CLOSED
GCU at Woodbridge 90MIN DELAY
Georgian Court University 90MIN DELAY
Greenburgh Central District CANCELED
Greenburgh-Graham UFSD CLOSED
Hackensack Public Schools CANCELED
Haledon Public School CLOSED
Hampton Bays School District CLOSED
Hampton Public School CLOSED
Harborfields School District CLOSED
Hardyston Township School Dist. CLOSED
Harrison Central School District CLOSED
Harrison, NJ Public School District CLOSED
Hasbrouck Heights School Dist. CLOSED
Hawthorne Country Day School CLOSED
Hawthorne Public Schools CLOSED
Hawthorne Public Schools CLOSED
Hazlet Township Public Schools CLOSED
Henry Hudson Regional School CLOSED
Henry Viscardi School CLOSED
Hewlett-Woodmere School District CLOSED
Hicksville Schools CLOSED
High Bridge School District CLOSED
High Point Regional School Dist. CLOSED
Highland Falls CSD CANCELED
Highlands Borough District CLOSED
Hoboken Charter School CLOSED
Hoboken Public Schools CLOSED
Hofstra University CANCELED
Holmstead School CLOSED
Holy Cross High School HIGH SCHOOL CLOSED
Holy Family Academy CLOSED
Holy Name of Jesus School CLOSED
Holy Spirit School CLOSED
Holy Trinity HS CLOSED
Hopatcong Borough School Dist. CANCELED
Hope Academy Charter School CLOSED
Hudson Catholic HS CANCELED
Hudson Co. School of Tech. CANCELED
Huntington School District CLOSED
Iona Grammar School CLOSED
Island Trees School District CLOSED
Islip School District CANCELED
Jefferson Twp Public Schools CLOSED
Jersey City Public Schools CLOSED
Keyport Public Schools CLOSED
Lenape Valley Regional HS CLOSED
Leonia School District CANCELED
LI School for the Gifted CLOSED
Lincoln Park Public Schools CLOSED
Linden Public Schools CLOSED
Little Ferry Public Schools CLOSED
Little Meadows Early Childhood Ctr. CLOSED
Long Beach Public Schools CLOSED
Lynbrook Public Schools CLOSED
Malverne School District CANCELED
Mamaroneck Public Schools CLOSED
Manchester Regional HS CANCELED
Maria Regina High School CLOSED
Marion Thomas Charter School CLOSED
Marlboro Township Public Schools CLOSED
Mary Help of Christians Academy CLOSED
Mary Louis Academy CLOSED
Mater Dei Academy CLOSED
Maywood Public Schools CLOSED
McGann-Mercy High School CLOSED
Mendham Borough Schools CLOSED
Mercy College CANCELED
Metropolitan College of NY CLOSED
Middletown School District CLOSED
Midland Park Public Schools CANCELED
Midland School Rochelle Park CLOSED
Millburn Township Public Schools CLOSED
Milltown Schools CLOSED
Mineola School District CLOSED
Monmouth University CLOSED
Monsignor Scanlan HS CLOSED
Montague School District 2HR DELAY
Montclair Public Schools CLOSED
Montville Township Public Schools CLOSED
Moonachie Public Schools CLOSED
Morris Co. Vocational School Dist. CLOSED
Morris County Ed. Services Com. CLOSED
Morris Hills Regional School Dist. CLOSED
Morris School District CLOSED
Most Sacred Heart…Jesus School CLOSED
Mother Seton High School CLOSED
Mount Vernon Public Schools CLOSED
Mountain Lakes School System CLOSED
Mt. Arlington School District CLOSED
Mt. St. Michael Academy CANCELED
Nanuet School District CANCELED
Nassau Community College NO DAY CLASSES
Netcong Public Schools CLOSED
New Dorp Christian Academy CLOSED
New Rochelle Public Schools CLOSED
New York School for the Deaf CLOSED
No. Rockland Central District CLOSED
North Haledon School District CLOSED
North Salem School District CLOSED
North Shore Central School Dist. CLOSED
Notre Dame School New Hyde Park CLOSED
Notre Dame Schools CLOSED
Nyack Public Schools CANCELED
Oak Knoll School CLOSED
Oakland Public Schools CLOSED
Old Tappan Public Schools ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE CLOSED
Oradell Public School District CANCELED
Our Lady of Czestochowa CLOSED
Our Lady of Providence School CLOSED
Our Lady of the Hamptons School CLOSED
Our Lady of Victory School CLOSED
Our Montessori School CANCELED
Our Montessori School CANCELED
Oyster Bay-East Norwich District CANCELED
Pace University CLOSED
Paramus Public Schools CANCELED
Park Ridge Public Schools CLOSED
Parsippany -Troy Hills School Dist. CANCELED
Passaic Public Schools CLOSED
Pearl River School District CLOSED
Peekskill City School District CLOSED
Pelham Public Schools CLOSED
Plaza College CLOSED
Port Washington School District CLOSED
Poughkeepsie School District CLOSED
Preston High School CLOSED
Queen City Academy Charter CLOSED
Quogue School District CLOSED
Quogue School District NO AFT SCH PRGMS
Rahway Public Schools CLOSED
Ramapo Indian Hills Regional HS CLOSED
Randolph Township Public Schools CLOSED
Region V Transportation CANCELED
Regis High School CLOSED
Resurrection Schools CLOSED
Ridgefield Park School System CLOSED
Ridgewood Public Schools CLOSED
Robert Treat Academy Charter CLOSED
Rockaway Borough School Dist. CANCELED
Rockville Centre Public Schools CLOSED
Roselle Park School District CLOSED
Rutherford Public Schools CLOSED
Rye Country Day School CLOSED
Sacred Heart Academy Hempstead CLOSED
Saddle Brook Public Schools CLOSED
Sayreville District Schools CLOSED
School District of the Chathams CLOSED
School District of the Tarrytowns CLOSED
Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools CANCELED
Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools CLOSED
Secaucus Public Schools CLOSED
Sinai Christian Academy CLOSED
So. Bergen Jointure Commission CLOSED
Soaring Heights Charter School CLOSED
Solomon Schechter Day School CLOSED
South Bound Brook School District 90MIN DELAY
South Brunswick Public Schools CLOSED
South Hunterdon Regional HS CLOSED
South Orange/Maplewood Schools CLOSED
South Orangetown Central School District CLOSED
South Plainfield Public Schools CLOSED
South River Public Schools CLOSED
Sparta Township Public Schools CLOSED
Spence School CLOSED
Spring Lakes Heights School Dist. CLOSED
St. Agnes Cathedral School CLOSED
St. Aidan School CLOSED
St. Anne School CLOSED
St. Anne School CLOSED
St. Anthony HS Jersey City HIGH SCHOOL CLOSED
St. Anthony of Padua School CLOSED
St. Brendan School CLOSED
St. Dominic Academy Jersey City CLOSED
St. Dominic HS CANCELED
St. Francis Preparatory School CLOSED
St. Ignatius Loyola School CLOSED
St. James the Apostle Springfield CANCELED
St. John Baptist De La Salle CLOSED
St. John the Baptist Diocesan HS CANCELED
St. John the Baptist Diocesan HS CANCELED
St. John the Evangelist Leonia CLOSED
St. John’s University CLOSED
St. Joseph School Jersey City CLOSED
St. Joseph School Oradell CLOSED
St. Joseph School West New York CLOSED
St. Martin De Porres School CLOSED
St. Mary Elementary Newark CLOSED
St. Mary’s High Jersey City CLOSED
St. Michael School CLOSED
St. Michael School Cranford CLOSED
St. Michaels School CLOSED
St. Pancras School CANCELED
St. Pancras School CANCELED
St. Patrick Jersey City CLOSED
St. Paul School Ramsey CLOSED
St. Peter School Belleville CLOSED
St. Pius V HS CLOSED
St. Raymond School CLOSED
ST. THOMAS THE APOSTLE ELEMENTARY CLOSED
St. Thomas the Apostle School CLOSED
Staten Island Academy CLOSED
Stella Maris Regional School CLOSED
Summit Public Schools CLOSED
Sussex-Wantage Regional Schools CLOSED
TEAM Academy Charter CLOSED
Teaneck Public Schools CLOSED
Tewksbury School District CLOSED
The Gerrard Berman Day School CANCELED
The Harvey School CLOSED
Trinity Academy CLOSED
Trinity Regional School CLOSED
Trinity School CLOSED
Tuckahoe Union Free District CLOSED
Union Catholic HS CLOSED
Union Catholic HS CLOSED
Union Co. Ed. Services Commission CLOSED
Union Co. Vocational School Dist. CLOSED
Union Township School CLOSED
University Academy Charter H.S. CLOSED
Valhalla School District CLOSED
Vernon Township School District CLOSED
Vincent Smith School CANCELED
Visitation Academy CLOSED
Wallington Public Schools CLOSED
Warwick Valley Central School Dist. CLOSED
Weehawken Public Schools CLOSED
West Essex Regional Schools CLOSED
West Hempstead School District CLOSED
West New York Schools CLOSED
West Orange Public Schools CANCELED
Westbury Public Schools CLOSED
Westfield Public Schools CANCELED
Westport School District CANCELED
Wharton Borough School District CANCELED
White Plains Public Schools CANCELED
Yonkers Public Schools CLOSED

Weather Mid-South with snow Fall Reports

Winter weather blankets Mid-South with snow

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC-TV) - A blast of heavy snowfall made things tough for drivers Sunday night, leaving conditions treacherous for the Monday morning commute.



Crews and trucks filled with a salt and sand mixture were ready to hit the street as soon as the winter weather arrived Sunday.

The Memphis Public Works Department spent all day Friday and Saturday treating the roads with a liquid mixture. All crews could do Sunday was wait for the weather to hit.

Once the snow arrived, crews started treating major streets, bridges and overpasses.

Deputy Public Works Director Robert Knecht said drivers need to remember to give the salt-spreader trucks plenty of space. He also reminded drivers that side streets are not treated and can be very slick.

"If you have to get out, the key thing is to give yourself plenty of time," said Knecht. "Plan your route ahead to say off of the minor streets and stay on as many major streets, because you have a better chance of those roads being in better condition for driving."

As the snow came down, shoppers in Midtown Memphis stocked up.

"They're starting to run out of bread and stuff in here," said one shopper.

"We're going to make a big ol' pot of taco soup," said another shopper. "Should last us a few days if we have to, and maybe some hot apple cider."

Grocery store shelves were nearly bare by late Sunday evening.

"I live in Whitehaven," said Eunice Fair. "There's no milk, there's no bread. And where I shop, everything is really almost gone."

Alison Jones, an employee at an East Memphis grocery store, said people were stocking up on essential items.

"It's just been going and going and going," said Jones. "Inside all the baskets were gone."

The hottest items for the cold were milk, eggs and bread.

"We're low on hot chocolate, too," said Jones.

At CostCo on Germantown Parkway, drivers packed the gas station waiting for gas. Fair said she had better things to do than get out on the slippery streets.

"Drink my hot chocolate, drink my coffee, and just law in bed and watch TV," she said.

Meanwhile, residents in Oxford, Mississippi quickly found themselves covered in snow.

"It just started coming heavy all of a sudden," said Oxford resident Marilyn Stevens.

"It's crazy," said Oxford resident Dustin Talley. "I've lived in Illinois and I've seen snow a lot and this is just crazy. In Mississippi, this is just weird."

While some rushed to the grocery store, others found time to enjoy the snow.

"I love it," said one Oxford resident. "I want some more of it."

Travel was tricky for the Monday morning commute. If you have to venture out on the interstate system for the remainder of the day, please call the following numbers to check road conditions:

Tennessee Road Conditions: 1-800-342-3258

Arkansas Road Conditions: 1-800-245-1672

Mississippi Road Conditions: 1-601-987-1211

Missouri Road Conditions: 1-800-222-6400

Wsbtv Weather News Reports

sleet storms create headaches in South

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (Reuters) - Severe winter storm warnings were posted by the National Weather Service for Sunday and Monday for states across the South from Texas and Arkansas in the west to Georgia and the Carolinas in the east.

The National Weather Service also warned of a winter ice storm in Alabama, while the Weather Channel's website said: "Snow, sleet, ice and rain target the Southeast."

The sleet was just beginning in Birmingham, Alabama, late on Sunday afternoon, but Alabama Governor Bob Riley had already declared a state of emergency.

In a written statement, Riley urged motorists to stay off roads because of "accumulations of ice that are projected to begin tonight."

Alabama's Department of Transportation had dump trucks at the ready to spread sand or salt on roadways and Department of Public Safety officers were working 12-hour shifts to assist motorists who insisted on traveling.

The state's Emergency Management Agency had activated its Emergency Operations Center, and the Alabama National Guard had 7,000 troops on drill duty.

The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department issued warnings of sleet, snow and ice for numerous highways and roads in the state on Sunday, and told drivers to exercise caution.

Birmingham, Atlanta, Dallas, and Shreveport, Louisiana were among cities the Weather Channel said on its website were in the potential "snow or wintry mix zone" that could see sleet or freezing rain mixing with snowfalls.

North Carolina's Department of Transportation warned of severe winter weather hitting the eastern part of the state starting on Monday, with accumulating snow changing to freezing rain, advising motorists "to be alert and exercise extreme caution on all roadways," driving only if absolutely necessary.

In Atlanta, ABC affiliate WSB-TV reported that Georgia Power officials had put employees on standby to prepare for power outages and various airlines including Delta and AirTran had said there could be possible flight delays and cancellations.

In Shreveport, power company SWEPCO warned customers to be prepared for possible outages.

"Snow, especially wet heavy snow, can cause problems for the electric system because its weight brings down trees and power lines," Malcolm Smoak, Southwestern Electric Power Company vice president, said in a statement.

"In addition, with continuing low temperatures, the snow can be a problem for several days."

Historic Snow Fall Totals In For North Georgia

ATLANTA -- The official numbers are in from what turned out to be a very White Christmas for many across north Georgia.

With the first measurable snow in Atlanta on Christmas since 1882, the official snow total for the day was 1.3 inches.

Everyone north of Macon got a dusting of snow.

Parts of the metro area saw as much as 3 inches.

North of Atlanta, the mountains had frequent reports of 6 inches or more. The winner for the most snow reported was in Fannin County; McCaysville had reports of 10 inches of snowfall.

WFAA Weather Radar

Dallas Weather – WFAA Weather Radar

Here is the latest Dallas weather update from the WFAA Weather Radar station, updated today, Friday, at 3:56 PM.

TONIGHT: Lingering showers and t-storms this evening, tapering off later tonight. Low: 65. Winds: Variable 5-10.

SATURDAY: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. High: 82. Winds: E 5-10.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with a few lingering showers/t-storms. Low: 68. Winds: SE 5-10.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers and t-storms. High: 84. Winds SE 5-10

Dallas Weather News Reports

Rain/Snow in Dallas: Will it Affect Sudanese Voter Turnout?

It’s raining cats and dogs in Dallas right now, 1.5 hours before the polls open. It’s forecasted to rain (if not snow) all day today. I’m curious if the weather will affect Sudanese voter turnout at the Dallas referendum center.

Why rain matters for elections, from a recent article (gated) in the Journal of Politics:

The relationship between bad weather and lower levels of voter turnout is widely espoused by media, political practitioners, and, perhaps, even political scientists. Yet, there is virtually no solid empirical evidence linking weather to voter participation. This paper provides an extensive test of the claim. We examine the effect of weather on voter turnout in 14 U.S. presidential elections. Using GIS interpolations, we employ meteorological data drawn from over 22,000 U.S. weather stations to provide election day estimates of rain and snow for each U.S. county. We find that, when compared to normal conditions, rain significantly reduces voter participation by a rate of just less than 1% per inch, while an inch of snowfall decreases turnout by almost .5%. Poor weather is also shown to benefit the Republican party’s vote share. Indeed, the weather may have contributed to two Electoral College outcomes, the 1960 and 2000 presidential elections.