RALEIGH, N.C. — Snow and ice have blanketed parts of North Carolina on Sunday as a winter storm moves through the region.
Much of the state is under a winter storm warning as of the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service, while some eastern parts of the state are under a winter weather advisory.
A winter storm warning is issued when “heavy snow of at least 6 inches in 12 hours, or at least 8 inches in 24 hours, is expected” or when “sleet accumulation will be at least half an inch.” A winter weather advisory indicates that 3-5 inches of snow, less than 0.5 inches of sleet, freezing rain with sleet or snow or “blowing snow” are possible.
More than 95,000 North Carolina residents were without power as of 2:18 p.m. local time Sunday, according to officials.
Gov. Roy Cooper during a news conference urged residents to stay home and off the roads. For those who have to go out, he advised driving slowly, increasing your following distance behind other cars and scraping any snow or ice off your vehicle before driving.
The mountains and western North Carolina should bear the brunt of the storm.
In the mountains, the winter storm warning remains in effect until 8 a.m. Monday. A “heavy mixed precipitation” was impacting the area with additional accumulations of 1 to 6 inches possible, the NWS said around 10:15 a.m. Sunday. Wind gusts are reaching up to 50 mph.
“Snow and sleet will continue today, mixing with freezing rain in the warmer valleys,” forecasters said. “The precipitation will begin tapering off this evening in most areas, although snow showers are expected to linger along the Tennessee border into Monday morning. Widespread black ice should be expected Monday morning, and may be a concern into the middle of the week.”
The NWS warned that traveling may be difficult or impossible and that power outages and tree damage are likely.
The National Park Service wrote on Facebook that more than 8 inches of snow were reported at Newfound Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
“Snowy conditions across the North Carolina side of the park and above 3,500 feet in Tennessee,” the park service wrote. “With more hazardous weather on the way, please exercise caution if venturing out.”
In the “Piedmont and western North Carolina,” including the Charlotte area, the winter storm warning remains in effect until midnight, the NWS said. Forecasters say an additional 2 inches of sleet and snow accumulations are possible along with “two tenths of an inch” of ice. Winds gusts are reaching 45 mph.
“A wintry mix of precipitation will continue through the day, gradually changing back to snow and sleet from west to east through the afternoon,” forecasters said. “The precipitation should taper off this evening. Black ice could be a problem each morning early next week.”
On Sunday morning, roads were already icing over in Charlotte, The Charlotte Observer reported. Travel conditions throughout the day could range from “dangerous to impossible,” and more than 1,000 flights had already been canceled at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The winter storm warning also remains in effect for parts of central North Carolina until midnight.
The NWS Raleigh office tweeted early Sunday morning that “light snow flurries” were reported in some areas.
The office tweeted late Sunday morning that “wintry precipitation” was continuing across the area.
“Snow and sleet falling across the Triad with freezing rain from the Triangle to the Coastal Plain. Expect much of the same through mid afternoon,” it wrote.
It said ice accumulations were ”starting to increase across the NC Sandhills,” with the totals reaching 0.18 inches.
The region is expected to see “heavy mixed precipitation” with ice accumulations of two-tenths to three-tenths of an inch, forecasters said. Snow accumulations of 1-2 inches, with isolated higher amounts, are possible. Wind gusts are expected to reach up to 45 mph.
In the Triangle, less than an inch of snow accumulation is expected in most areas, but “significant ice” and strong winds will make travel dangerous and could lead to power outages, The News & Observer reported.
“The strong, gusty winds in addition to ice will result in numerous to widespread power outages. Travel could be nearly impossible,” the weather service said.
For those who do need to go out in the storm, the NWS recommends keeping an extra flashlight, food and water in the vehicle in case of an emergency.
As of 7:45 a.m. Jan. 16, more than 100 flights at Raleigh-Durham International Airport had been canceled, according to The N&O. Some bus services in the area had also been suspended, and Interstate 95 near Fayetteville closed in both directions. It was expected to reopen at 2 p.m.
In portions of northeastern North Carolina, “mixed precipitation” is possible, including a trace of snow and a “light glaze” of ice, the weather service said. The winter weather advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. Sunday.
“A winter weather advisory means that periods of snow, sleet, or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving,” forecasters said.
The NWS’ Wilmington Office, which covers southeastern North Carolina, said “freezing rain may occur through the afternoon in some areas.
“Some glazing on mainly elevated surfaces with total ice accumulation of less than one quarter of an inch,” the weather service said. “Bridges and overpasses may be briefly hazardous as well.”
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