Ice, baby, ice

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.

That was the sound which greeted residents in the Monroe-Woodbury-Tuxedo areas Tuesday evening into Wednesday after a highly anticipated ice storm delivered what was forecasted: A slippery mess that closed schools, kept many people home from work and road crews busy with sand and salt.

First Due Weather from the Compound, the Facebook site which provides regular and extremely hyperlocal forecasts, told followers to be prepared for a coating up to two inches of snow to fall during the early morning hours of Tuesday. That would be followed by sleet, freezing rain and ice throughout the day. Up to two inches off sleet would accumulate in addition to one-quarter to one-half inch of ice accretion.

This time, school districts waited until the early morning hours to call off classes, which didn’t seem to matter to students seeking extra sleep.

The Wednesday morning’s light revealed trees, tree limbs, and power lines are covered in ice with wet roadways.

Looking ahead, FDW said Santa shouldn't have any problems with his visits to the Monroe-Woodbury-Tuxedo areas.

“It looks to stay relatively clean and dry through Christmas but we will have some cold to contend with for the next few days,” the site said.

Still, Santa fans should know that he’s still going to be watching them up until the last minute, so best behaviors remain critical.

And FDW will remain on alert, too, for any weather forecast updates and again reminded followers to “Keep watching.”