As snow ends, focus shifts to clearing slick roads
Residents in Wake County and north and west of the Triangle saw a second round of white, fat snowflakes Monday. Although the heaviest snow and its accompanying accumulation has stopped, the thick layer of white powder covering the roads is dangerous when combined with dropping temperatures.
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- The snow has ended, but not before dropping about 2 inches across the Triangle.
- Most areas southeast of the Triangle saw mainly rain.
- Power outages: More than 110,000 customers across the state are without power
- Temperatures are expected to plunge overnight and could lead to a dangerous Tuesday morning commute, and road conditions are most treacherous northwest of Interstate 85.
- The Triangle remains under a winter weather advisory until 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Wintry updates
The 8.9 inches is well ahead of the average 6.1 inches of snow RDU sees in December.
The Triangle is close to breaking the record for the wettest year, which was set in 1996 with 59.14 inches of precipitation. With the snow totals from Sunday and Monday added in, 56.86 inches of precipitation has been recorded at RDU so far this year, Fishel said, and heavy rains expected on Friday and Saturday could erase much of the remaining 2.28-inch deficit.
Temperatures are expected to rise into the mid-30s through the afternoon before colder air arrives from the north, dropping overnight lows into the low 20s.
DOT said one westbound lane will remain closed until crews can repair the guardrail later in the week.
Temperatures across the viewing area are at or below freezing and will not rise much as the day continues. The mercury reads 30 degrees in Raleigh, creating a threat for black ice, particularly overnight Monday and Tuesday morning.
"It doesn't matter where you are or how much snow you've had, at this point, everyone is at risk for slick roads," said Gardner, adding that the Tuesday morning commute could be particularly dangerous through 7 or 8 a.m.
While roads remain dangerous around Raleigh, it appears that major routes in the Triangle are improving slightly. More slick roads have been reported from the Triangle northward. It's important to remember that even roads that appear paved and clear pose a threat. Slush and snow pushed over to the side of the road can become slippery if it gets under tires.
Officials said 35,000 tons of sand and salt have been used on state roads, and nearly 2,000 trees have fallen. More than 170 National Guard members in 69 vehicles are assisting with emergency response, and 140,000 customers statewide are without power.
"The risk for danger is very real," said Col. Glenn McNeill, commander of the State Highway Patrol. "Don't let your guard down. Just because a road has been scraped doesn't mean it is free of hazards."
According to the Highway Patrol, conditions are the worst north and west of I-85. Even towns that haven't seen snow are experiencing flood watches and warnings, including those along the Neuse River in Kinston and the Lumber River in Lumberton. N.C. Highway 12 in Dare County is at risk for overwash.
The governor also thanked all emergency workers.
"I am deeply grateful for the road crews, the line workers and the first responders who have worked to keep North Carolina warm and safe," Cooper said. "Don't risk your safety and theirs by making them come to your rescue."
Although temperatures will be cool, the sunshine will return on Tuesday, helping to dry roads out.
Snow is starting to stick to highways around Raleigh, and travel conditions are worst west of I-85. In Durham and Chapel Hill, most roads are covered in snow. Main Street in downtown Durham is covered in a thick, white blanket, and people are urged to stay home unless they must go out.
Visibility is an issue for drivers as snow coats the road.
The temperature at Raleigh-Durham International Airport was recorded at 30 degrees at 10 a.m. It was recorded at 33 degrees earlier in the morning, so temperatures are dropping.
Fat flakes continue to fall in Raleigh and across the Triangle. WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said the snow could last until lunchtime or even as late as 1 or 2 p.m. A flurry or two could pop up between 7 p.m. and midnight.
"This time yesterday, it didn't look like we would have this much snow," said Gardner, adding that, at this point, it looks like snow totals could be anywhere from 1 to 3 inches across the Triangle.
"The snow will stick around until early afternoon," said Gardner. Charlotte and areas to the west or southwest of the Triangle could see the most snow while the wintry precipitation should slow and stop in Harnett and Johnston counties.
Similar to Sunday, Cumberland County will likely only see rain.
According to Gardner, temperatures are at 31 degrees in Raleigh and dropping as a band of snow currently affecting Durham and Chapel Hill moves south. Areas south of Wake County are less likely to see snowflakes. In Wake County, snow is likely until around lunchtime, when precipitation is more likely to turn to rain. Some models are predicting another band of snow overnight, but it's too soon to know for certain.
The snow will stick, but accumulation will be much less than what was seen Sunday.
"We're likely to have totals of 2 to 4 inches of snow," said Gardner. "Where the snow is falling it is coating surfaces since we have temperatures at or below freezing."
The snow could continue in and around the Triangle for several hours before the band moves south and turns to rain.
WRAL News crews captured video of water spewing up into the sky.
On Monday, it will be the other way around -- as temperatures reach or drop below freezing, the light patchy rain experienced by many could become wintry. Though additional accumulation is not likely, some snow and light icing will be possible throughout the day as temperatures hover around freezing.
The main concern, according to Gardner, is Tuesday, as temperatures will plunge overnight, possibly freezing the wet roads for the morning commute.
Winter storm warning downgraded to advisory
A winter storm warning was downgraded to an advisory Monday for the Triangle, though dozens of counties north and west of Wake remain under the warning.
The threat for slick roads becomes greater as the morning continues, according to Gardner, but mostly northwest of the Triangle.
At 4 a.m., temperatures were hovering right at 33 degrees in Raleigh, but by 7 a.m., they fell to 32 degrees and could soon turn the rain into something wintry.
"The glazing will be fairly light, and a few snow flurries are possible here and there," said Gardner. Although an inch or less of snow is possible in the Triangle by lunchtime, Gardner said she does not expect accumulation to become an issue, and any freezing rain or flurries will be brief as temperatures climb into the mid 30s.
Road conditions
Above-freezing overnight temperatures kept the Triangle roads slushy, not icy, but untreated roads and bridges could briefly become slick and treacherous later Monday morning as temperatures fall, according to Gardner.
"For the most part, all the major roads from the Triangle south and east are clear," said WRAL News reporter Brian Shrader.
"There may be some slick spots northwest of Raleigh."
Most major roads are clear of snow, but hundreds of secondary roads and neighborhood roads are covered this morning. Treacherous roads and bridges are a greater concern in areas northwest of Raleigh, but everyone should use caution when traveling through the slush.
Monday morning in the Triangle will be messy and cold, with patchy rain, some gusty winds and temperatures in the low 30s.
"It really doesn't get much more miserable than that," said Gardner.
Temperatures will rise gradually on Monday afternoon, but that doesn't mean our wintry threat is over. Low temperatures will dip into the 20s overnight, leaving a stronger possibility for slick roads and black ice for the Tuesday morning commute.
"Tuesday's commute could actually be worse than Monday's," said Gardner.
Snow starts again in NC mountains
Snow started falling again in North Carolina's mountains by 7 a.m. The mountains and counties northwest of the Triangle saw more than a foot of snow on Sunday.
Power outages and closings
118,000 customers were still without power in North Carolina at 4 a.m., and several flights at Raleigh-Durham International Airport DU were delayed. The power outages included 3,199 customers in Chatham County, 1,153 in Durham, 1,593 in Orange and 1,000 in Wake.
Hundreds of schools are canceled or delayed Monday due to Sunday's snow.
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