NORTH CAROLINA — The National Weather Service has issued multiple winter weather advisories for large portions of central and eastern North Carolina, warning of snow, ice, and hazardous travel conditions from Wednesday evening into Thursday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, a winter weather advisory remains in effect from 6 p.m. Wednesday until 10 a.m. Thursday for much of central North Carolina. The advisory includes numerous counties stretching from the Piedmont through the Triangle and into parts of eastern North Carolina.
Forecasters say mixed precipitation is expected, with snow accumulations up to one inch and ice accumulations around a light glaze possible. Roads, especially bridges and overpasses, are expected to become slick and hazardous during the overnight hours and into the Thursday morning commute.
The advisory covers a wide area, including Granville, Vance, Warren, Halifax, Forsyth, Guilford, Alamance, Orange, Durham, Franklin, Nash, Edgecombe, Davidson, Randolph, Chatham, Wake, Johnston, Wilson, Lee, Harnett, Wayne, Cumberland and Sampson counties. Cities within the advisory area include Raleigh, Durham, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Cary, Apex, Chapel Hill, Fayetteville, Goldsboro, Rocky Mount, Wilson, Burlington, High Point, Asheboro, Smithfield, Clayton, Wake Forest, Sanford, Roanoke Rapids, Lexington, Hillsborough and Oxford, among many others.
A separate winter weather advisory is also in effect for Stanly, Montgomery, Moore and Hoke counties, where freezing rain is expected. Ice accumulations around a light glaze could lead to very slippery roads, sidewalks and bridges, with the potential to impact the Thursday morning commute. Officials also caution that isolated power outagesmay be possible in areas where ice builds up on trees and power lines.
Another advisory covers Anson, Richmond and Scotland counties, where freezing rain is also forecast during the same time period, creating similar hazardous travel conditions.
In northeastern North Carolina, counties including Northampton, Hertford, Gates and Bertie are under a winter weather advisory from 6 p.m. Wednesday until 7 a.m. Thursday. In those areas, forecasters expect wet snow, with accumulations up to one inch and slippery road conditions.
The National Weather Service urges residents to slow down and use caution while traveling, especially overnight and early Thursday. Drivers are encouraged to check road conditions before heading out by calling 511 or visiting DriveNC.gov. Pedestrians are also advised to use caution on stairs, sidewalks and driveways, which may become icy and increase the risk of falls.
