A foot of snow would have been more welcome than the freezing rain that has kept streets in Fargo-Moorhead slippery, metro street department workers say.
And while temperatures in the mid-30s today should help melt ice on roads, sidewalks and driveways, more snow and freezing rain are possible Thursday.
The National Weather Service predicts partly cloudy skies with a high temperature of 34 degrees today for the metro area. The high is forecast at 35 degrees Thursday, but there's a 30 percent chance of freezing rain, snow and rain throughout the day.
Street department workers say every degree above freezing is welcome.
"There's definitely some ice yet. We are still out with all our available sand trucks all day today," said Lee Anderson, Fargo's Public Works maintenance supervisor. "They've been out since Friday. We haven't parked one yet."
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Anderson said the storm that hit the area Friday and Saturday "was basically a June rainstorm with an inch of snow" on top.
The city has used 2,500 gallons of liquid ice-melting chemicals - plus sand and salt - to attack the ice.
"The ice that's out there is really hard. We're hoping for 40 degrees" today, Anderson said. "We need some help. I'd rather have had the foot of snow that they had out west than the rain."
Chad Martin, the operations director for Moorhead's street maintenance department, said that city also has icy spots.
"There was just so much rain," he said. "Mother Nature should help us this week."
A spot check of Fargo-Moorhead area stores found ice-melting chemicals have been selling well, as have snow scrapers and shovels as residents chip away at icy sidewalks and driveways.
Moorhead has had no sidewalk complaints yet, said Lisa Vatnsdal, the neighborhood services manager. Residents have until 9 p.m. the day after snowfall stops to clear their walks.
In Fargo, Anderson said a few complaints were lodged Tuesday. Residents have 24 hours to clear snow from walks, according to the city's ordinance, but as long as there's some effort, there's room for understanding, he said.
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"We know how tough the conditions are. We all have homes, too. We just ask people to keep salting and sanding what you can."
Readers can reach Forum reporter Helmut Schmidt at (701) 241-5583
