Multi-day wintry mix forecast prompts Perry County weather alert

WYMT meteorologists issued a First Alert forecast on Jan. 13 warning that Perry County would face a multi-day stretch of unsettled winter weather beginning the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 14. The station declared First Alert Weather Days covering Jan. 14–19, and forecasters say travel conditions are likely to be compromised across the county through the weekend.

The forecast called for a wintry mix of rain, sleet and snow to begin Jan. 14, with the greatest near-term hazard being slick surfaces on roadways—especially bridges and other elevated structures. As colder air moves in, high temperatures are expected to fall and additional rounds of snow or a wintry mix are possible through the weekend, extending the period of travel risk for commuters, school buses and local service providers.

Immediate impacts are practical and localized. Narrow county roads, bridges and elevated approaches are especially vulnerable to freezing from sleet and wet snow, with untreated surfaces developing black ice quickly when temperatures drop. That combination increases the likelihood of school and business delays or closures, longer emergency response times, and interruptions to deliveries and medical travel. WYMT advised residents to plan for delays, check road conditions and prepare for cold temperatures and travel impacts.

Local government and public institutions will be tested by sustained winter conditions. Road maintenance crews and emergency responders face the logistical challenge of treating miles of secondary roads and keeping priority routes open while multiple waves of precipitation move through. School officials must weigh safety against academic schedules, and municipal services from sanitation to public transit may need to adjust operations for slower travel and worker availability. These operational decisions carry budgetary and staffing implications for weeks in which prolonged cold and recurring precipitation occur.

For residents, the forecast underscores the importance of preparedness and local situational awareness. Practical steps include allowing extra travel time, avoiding bridges and elevated surfaces when possible during freeze/thaw cycles, checking the status of schools and workplaces before departure, and maintaining basic cold-weather supplies at home and in vehicles. Civic life can also be affected: planned public meetings, court appearances and volunteer activities may be delayed or rescheduled, so checking with organizers before traveling will reduce unexpected trips.

As the system progresses, WYMT and local officials will issue updates. Perry County residents should monitor road-condition reports and local advisories over the next several days, expect lower temperatures and intermittent wintry precipitation, and plan accordingly for safety and continuity of daily routines.