MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — While primary routes in Murfreesboro are beginning to clear thanks to diligent city and state treatment crews, secondary roads and neighborhood streets remain a frozen patchwork of ice and snow.
Rutherford Weather’s Bryan Barrett took to the streets on Monday, January 26, to provide a firsthand look at the local travel conditions. While major thoroughfares like Memorial Boulevard and South Church Street are showing significant improvement, the message for residents in residential areas remains clear: use extreme caution.
The "Two-Sided" Story of Murfreesboro Streets
Barrett’s ride-along highlighted a stark contrast between treated main roads and the shaded side streets that many residents call home.
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Primary & Secondary Roads: Roads like Osborne Lane are in "pretty good shape" following heavy applications of salt and brine.
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Neighborhood Streets: Turning into subdivisions like The Hamptons off Howell Drive, the scene changes instantly. These roads remain heavily ice-covered.
A Lesson from I-24
The dangers of refreezing were made evident Sunday night on I-24. A "prime example of black ice" led to several jackknifed tractor-trailers near the South Church Street incline. The interstate was shut down for hours as crews worked to clear the wreckage, a scenario officials hope to avoid tonight.
The Forecast: A Long Cold Snap
While "radiational heating" from the Monday sun is providing some natural melting on exposed pavement, the relief may be short-lived.
"We’re going to stay cold here for a while," Barrett said. "Not only this week, but the next 8 to 14 days look like we will have below-normal temperatures."
The forecast suggests that while Wednesday may see a brief climb above freezing, the region likely won't see a sustained thaw until Sunday. This creates a persistent hazard for school parking lots and rural, shaded roads where ice remains "hard as a rock."
Safety Reminders for Residents:
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Watch the Trees: Weight from the ice has already downed many limbs; stay alert for falling debris as the sun warms the canopy.
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Avoid Night Travel: Wet spots on the road today will become "unmaneuverable" tonight when temperatures hit single digits.
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Check on Neighbors: If you are "cooped up" and unable to leave your driveway, reach out to neighbors for assistance.
Stay tuned to Rutherford Weather for continued updates on road conditions and local closures.
