NATCHEZ — Road conditions were expected to be dangerous early this morning following Thursday and Friday’s snow.

Following the cessation of snowfall, the weather warmed briefly, melting much of the ice.

The melted snow was expected to puddle in some places and create sheet ice and black ice on the roadways, Adams County Emergency Management Director Stan Owens said Friday afternoon.

“We are expecting it to reach freezing by 9 p.m. (Friday) with a low of 27 degrees (Fahrenheit),” Owens said.

“I would advise everybody to stay off the road unless you have an urgent matter.”

MDOT Road Supervisor Bud Vines said crews would continue to watch the roads, and Natchez City Engineer David Gardner said Friday afternoon some crews were sent home so they would be rested for the night.

“We sent a few home to bed to get some rest, because we anticipate we will be back out (Friday) night when the temperatures get cold,” Gardner said. “We will be regrouping, getting more sand in and making plans.”

Entergy Customer Service Specialist Stephen Caruthers said that the re-freezing of the melted snow should not cause too many problems with electrical service.

“If the temperature just drops to freezing and there is no precipitation, we should come out alright,” he said. “Some branches may break (over power lines).”

One key to maintaining power service to as many people as possible is for people to just stay home, Caruthers said.

“They need to stay home so there is no chance of accidents of cars and light poles,” he said.