Kim Carver, director of the Scioto County Emergency Management Agency described Tuesday this way: "It was one of those days you wished the forecasters were wrong."

The day may have begun with frustration for some. Walking to the car could have been more excitement than anyone wanted.

Once one got there, he or she might have found the car doors iced over. Then, once onto the road, it might be the windshield that became an ice magnet.

Those traveling Ohio 73 probably had to take a detour after the early morning hours when a tractor-trailer hit a power pole, causing closure of the route.

Just when it looked like it was possible the road could be reopened, at about 2 p.m., another semi traveling the part of Ohio 73 that was open flipped and landed on its side.

Union and Rush Township fire departments responded, and Union parked one of their trucks at the curve that leads to Elks Country Club to deny access to that part of the route while crews worked to clear the area near Holy Trinity Hall.

Pavement conditions throughout the area improved significantly by the afternoon, as crews from Ohio Department of Transportation District 9 continued to combat ice and snow.

"Most routes are becoming clear and wet, with slush remaining along the shoulder and center line; some secondary routes remain partly snow covered, with heavy slush also present," said Kathleen Fuller, public information officer for ODOT District 9, shortly after 2 p.m.

What the freezing temperatures left behind, however, was a flood watch from the National Weather Service at Wilmington.

Portions of Ohio, including Scioto, Pike, Adams and Ross counties, and portions of Kentucky, including Lewis County, remained under a flood watch because of the rapid runoff of the wintry mix into area creeks, streams and rivers.

By 3:30 p.m., the NWS had allowed a winter storm warning for Scioto County to expire.

The forecast for today calls for a slight chance (20 percent) of snow before 10 a.m. Cloudy weather is predicted, with a high expected near 29.

Partly cloudy conditions will continue through tonight, with a low around 20.

Tomorrow a complete turnaround is expected, with sunny conditions and a high of 43.

FRANK LEWIS can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.