NCDOT begins brining roads ahead of Saturday rain: Here's why

People in the Triangle and surrounding counties can expect a cold, steady rain on Saturday. Snow and freezing rain could fall in the North Carolina mountains, but the system is not expected to cause travel issues locally.

Sky 5 flew overhead Friday as trucks began brining roads in the area of Interstate 440 and Wade Avenue -- despite no freezing rain in the Triangle's forecast.

A spokesperson told WRAL News the NCDOT made the decision to brine out of a precaution based on forecast models.

In a statement to WRAL News, officials said, "We all know that the weather forecast can change, [and] we brined to be safe. We would rather brine trouble spots than see people wreck if a shift in models happens."

Grab your umbrella: Week of rain and storms in the forecast

The NCDOT made the decision to brine ahead of Saturday's rain after the National Weather Service on Thursday night predicted ice accumulation of 0.01 inches in northern Wake County, 0.04 inches for Durham and Franklin counties and 0.10 inches for Person County.

WRAL meteorologists are calling for a brief freezing rain in counties west of Winston-Salem, but forecasts show little to no freezing rain in the WRAL viewing area.

A winter weather advisory is in place Saturday for Person County and Mecklenburg County, Virginia.

"Decisions to brine are made the night before, so this map showed a need to be prepared," NCDOT spokesperson Kim Deaner said, adding there is no "use it or lose it budget" that would take resources away from a need later on this winter.