February 5-7, 2019 Ice Storm

Overview

A prolonged freezing drizzle and freezing rain event impacted all of eastern Kansas and western and central Missouri from February 5 until February 7. While the bulk of the precipitation fell overnight February 6, into the morning of February 7 the higher impacts appeared to come on February 5, when freezing drizzle caused roads to become slick. In some areas the roads were completely impassible, and numerous injury vehicle accidents occurred. At least three fatalities were caused by the icy roads on February 5, one in Miami County Kansas, and two in Lafayette County Missouri.

Without any notable break in the freezing precipitation the ice continued to form on trees and power lines through Wednesday February 6, resulting in most locations seeing around 1/8" to 1/4" of ice through Wednesday afternoon. On Wednesday night heavy rain and sleet moved into the area, and added to the already robust ice amounts. With some modest instability in the atmosphere many of these storms produced lightning, a rare occurrence! One storm did produce some quarter-sized hail near Clinton, MO. By the end of the event almost all locations within the Ice Storm Warning (which was issued Wednesday afternoon - 2/6) received around 1/4" to 1/2", with some of the higher totals in Johnson County, MO approaching .60"

The National Weather Service office in Pleasant Hill, Missouri received approximately 1/3" to 1/2" of ice from Feb 5-7, 2019


Official NWS Observation at the office in Pleasant Hill, Missouri revealed nearly 1/2" ice accumulation on tree branches.	Residents in Johnson County Missouri measured over 1/2" of ice accumulation. Photo: Matthew Smith (@Matthew_KCSC)	Residents in Johnson County Missouri measured over 1/2" of ice accumulation. Photo: Johnson County Emergency Management


Residents in Clinton, MO reported ice totals approaching 1/2" on tree branches and elevated surfaces Photo: Dara Gilkey Bigler (@dara_bigler)	Residents in Clinton, MO reported ice totals approaching 1/2" on tree branches and elevated surfaces Photo: Dara Gilkey Bigler (@dara_bigler)	The NWS sign in Pleasant Hill shows signs of the icy weather that impacted the region on February 5-7, 2019.

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