H4: Five PM Saturday: Ice, Gas Lines & What Comes After ❄️⏰

A major winter system is bearing down on the Upstate — and the clock is ticking. ❄️⚠️ Recovering meteorologist Tony Dale breaks down why this storm is not a typical snow event, warning of two to three inches of liquid equivalent, falling almost entirely as sleet and ice. Forecasts point to up to four inches of sleet before icing even begins, creating conditions that look like snow but behave like solid ice. The hosts walk through the most important takeaway: wrap up everything by 5 PM Saturday. After that, temperatures plunge below freezing, precipitation continues, and conditions may not improve until Monday afternoon — with power outages potentially lasting even longer. From gas shortages and generators to chainsaws, tire chains, abandoned hills, and Monday-morning reality checks, this episode blends real-world storm prep, personal experience, and hard-earned local wisdom — plus a reminder to stay put if you can and stay safe if you can’t. 🔎 Episode Highlights ⏰ The 5 PM Saturday Deadline 🌧️ Rain begins, then rapidly freezes 🥶 Temps fall below freezing Saturday night 🧊 Below-freezing conditions linger into Monday ❄️ Why This Storm Is Different 💧 2–3 inches of liquid equivalent 🧊 Up to 4 inches of sleet before icing ⚠️ Sleet compacts like ice — not fluffy snow ⚡ Power & Infrastructure Risks 🌲 Ice + wind = downed trees & lines 🔌 Power could stay out even after melting 🔥 Heat, food, and fuel for several days recommended 🚗 Getting In… or Not ⛽ Gas lines already forming 🛞 Plastic zip-tie tire chains — helpful or one-star? 🌉 Hills, bridges, and shaded roads are the danger zones 🪓 Storm Prep, Real Life Edition 🔧 Generators wired, chainsaws sharpened 🏠 Cars repositioned to avoid impassable hills 📻 Live coverage planned all weekend and Monday 🏈 A Feel-Good Finish ⭐ The Indiana Hoosiers’ historic run 💪 A quarterback’s perseverance inspired by his mother’s fight with MS 🎧 Why You Should Listen This episode cuts through hype and focuses on timing, preparation, and reality. If you live in the Upstate and want to know when to stop traveling, what to expect, and how bad it could get, this is the conversation you want before the ice hits. 🏷️ Tags / Keywords ❄️ Winter Storm 🧊 Sleet & Ice ⏰ 5 PM Saturday ⚡ Power Outages ⛽ Gas Shortages 🪓 Storm Preparation 🚗 Road Conditions 📻 Live Storm Coverage 🏠 Emergency Planning