(Columbia) Jan. 27, 2004 - January's winter blast is being called one of the worst in decades, and South Carolina is dealing with a mess. The National Weather Service's Winter Storm Warning has been cancelled, and the rain is stopped. Temperatures thawed Tuesday afternoon to above freezing.

But, with temperatures still below freezing Tuesday morning roads remain icy, in some places coated. Bridges and overpasses could potentially be especially hazardous.

Storm Team Chief Meteorologist Ken Aucoin predicts temperatures in Columbia will rise to 35 by noon with a high of about 40. He predicts that will melt some ice in the Midlands, but melting ice could refreeze when temps again dip below freezing Tuesday night. Ken is forecasting a low of 23 degrees. Low temperatures this morning ranged from 28 degrees in Greer to 35 in Beaufort.

Many trees, powerlines and other elevated surfaces were covered with melting ice, which left the ground and streets littered with branches, wires and in some places the trees themselves. As skies clear Tuesday, winds will pick up to 15-20 miles per hour, increasing the chance for falling ice.

As many as 250,000 South Carolinians were without power were without power Tuesday, and additional outages are possible overnight as limbs and trees continue to fall and come in contact with power lines. Remember, when traffic signals are out or malfunctioning, drivers should treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

The Highway Patrol shut down parts of Piney Grove and Broad River Roads in Richland County because of an active powerline. The 1900 block of South Lake Drive was also closed in Irmo Tuesday morning.

And, powerlines aren't the only things on which the branches and trees can fall. A Columbia Police cruiser had its windshield shattered Tuesday morning when an ice-laden branch landed on it. Columbia's horticulturalist says the damage to trees in the city is worse than Hurricane Hugo.

With much of the state covered in ice, sleet or snow, many schools, state government offices, businesses, churches and child care centers are shut down or delayed by hours elsewhere. See all closings here>> 

The Transportation Department continues to work to clear South Carolina roads. Spokesman Pete Poore says more than 900 workers are trying to keep the roads clear. Poore says the agency has used nearly 7000 tons of sand, nearly 6000 tons of salt and thousands of gallons of calcium chloride and salt brine on the roads.

The slick icy roads caused a number of fender benders in Columbia Sunday and Monday, and six highway deaths in the state are blamed on the weather.

Updated 5:16pm by Chris Rees