RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A winter weather advisory remains in effect for much of central North Carolina until 9 a.m.
That advisory is the last gasp of the winter storm that dropped some snow and ice all across the state Sunday. The storm caused hundreds of car crashes and knocked out power to thousands of people.
SEE ALSO | Many left stranded at RDU after winter weather cancels dozens of flights
The worst of the North Carolina power outages happened in the Sandhills. Moore County still had more than 10,000 people in the dark Monday morning.
Icy roads are being blamed for a crash that killed two people on I-95 in Nash County. NC Highway Patrol said Latron Williams ran off the road and hit several trees Sunday. He and his passenger Katie Janta both died in the crash.
WATCH | Overpass at I-40 & Aviation Pkwy slick with ice
NCDOT continues to work on improving road conditions, but some slick spots are still possible. In fact, ABC11 Traffic Tracker Kim Deaner is following several crashes around the Triangle. Tune to ABC11 for live updates.
Temperatures will remain cold but mostly above freezing Monday. However, it will be a breezy day with sustained winds around 10 miles per hour and gusts up to 20 mph.
That will cause it to feel like it’s about 10 degrees colder than it really is outside.
FULL FORECAST
Wednesday temperatures will rise into the 50s. Then some of the coldest air of the season moves in Friday, bringing with it yet another chance for some snow. Stay with the ABC11 First Alert Weather Team this week as Friday’s snow forecast becomes more clear.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A winter weather advisory remains in effect for much of central North Carolina until 9 a.m.
That advisory is the last gasp of the winter storm that dropped some snow and ice all across the state Sunday. The storm caused hundreds of car crashes and knocked out power to thousands of people.
SEE ALSO | Many left stranded at RDU after winter weather cancels dozens of flights
The worst of the North Carolina power outages happened in the Sandhills. Moore County still had more than 10,000 people in the dark Monday morning.
Icy roads are being blamed for a crash that killed two people on I-95 in Nash County. NC Highway Patrol said Latron Williams ran off the road and hit several trees Sunday. He and his passenger Katie Janta both died in the crash.
NCDOT continues to work on improving road conditions, but some slick spots are still possible. In fact, ABC11 Traffic Tracker Kim Deaner is following several crashes around the Triangle. Tune to ABC11 for live updates.
SEE ALSO | MLK Day memorial march canceled, COVID-19 testing sites reopen late Monday due to weather
Temperatures will remain cold but mostly above freezing Monday. However, it will be a breezy day with sustained winds around 10 miles per hour and gusts up to 20 mph.
That will cause it to feel like it’s about 10 degrees colder than it really is outside.
FULL FORECAST
Wednesday temperatures will rise into the 50s. Then some of the coldest air of the season moves in Friday, bringing with it yet another chance for some snow. Stay with the ABC11 First Alert Weather Team this week as Friday’s snow forecast becomes more clear.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — The snow is finished in central North Carolina, but some areas are still seeing sleet and freezing rain before temperatures rise above 32 degrees.
The winter weather advisory has expired for Harnett, Wayne, Johnston, Cumberland, and Sampson counties. However, the winter storm warning remains in effect for most other counties in central North Carolina.
ABC11 Meteorologists Kweilyn Murphy and Steve Stewart started our real-time team coverage on ABC11 and in the above video player at 5 a.m. Chief Meteorologist Don Schwenneker and Meteorologist Robert Johnson arrived at 2 p.m. to relieve them. Likewise, ABC11 crews remain out in the storm bringing you updated conditions all across central North Carolina.
The storm got off to a slower-than-expected start due to drier air in the atmosphere, but by daybreak snow, sleet and freezing rain was falling throughout the ABC11 viewing area.
Live ABC11 First Alert Doppler Radar
By noon, ice and snow had accumulated in neighborhoods all across the Triangle and surrounding areas. Plus, warmer weather was pushing north from the Sandhills, transitioning the wintry mix into rain.
That progression of wintry mix into rain will continue to creep north throughout the rest of the day, until the entire system moves out of the area around 9 p.m.
As the storm moves out of the area stronger winds will settle in. Wind gusts have been registered between 10-20 miles per hour so far Sunday, but those will pick up and could reach as high as 40 miles per hour by the end of the day.
The ice accumulation combined with the gusting winds could prove dangerous for trees and power lines.
Gov. Roy Cooper said the winter weather conditions had already caused more than 200 crashes and tens of thousands of power outages in North Carolina. The majority of the power outages are located in the Sandhills and the western part of the state.
WATCH: First Alert to Winter Weather
CLOSINGS
Due to the possible inclement weather, some schools and businesses may decide to close. You can check up-to-date closings here.
If you are in charge of closings for a school of business, the only way to report your organization’s closing or delay to ABC11 is by using our online system. The phone system that was used in the past is not operational. Your ID code from the phone system remains the same and it also serves as your Pass Code into the online system. If you would like to register your organization with ABC11, please email the following information to closingcenter@abc11mail.com. Please do not mail closing information to this email address.
Organization Name: Type of Organization: (school, church, business, daycare, government office) Mailing Address: Organization’s Phone Number: Contact Person: Contact’s Email: Contact’s Mobile Phone:
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — The system threatening to bring winter weather to central North Carolina this weekend continues to slow down.
As of Thursday morning the system remained off the Oregon coast. It is expected to move ashore sometime Thursday.
As it moves ashore, it will make forecasting its impacts in North Carolina more reliable. Keep a close eye on the forecast from your First Alert Weather Team over the next 24-48 hours for the most accurate and up-to-date details about what this storm will bring to your neighborhood.
Right now, the system looks like it will bring more of a wintry mix than snow.
Sleet, freezing rain and ice combined with strong winds are shaping up to be the biggest threats–which means slick roads, falling trees, and power outages could be the main dangers you need to watch out for.
WATCH: First Alert to Winter Weather
TIMING
High temperatures Saturday will be in the upper 30s, but they will dip into the mid to upper 20s Saturday night into Sunday morning.
The low pressure system that will bring moisture into the ABC11 viewing area is expected to arrive around daybreak Sunday.
A wintry mix with sleet and freezing rain will likely begin in the Sandhills and move its way north and east across central North Carolina.
By midday and early afternoon, all of central North Carolina will be seeing some sort of precipitation. With areas north and west more likely to be seeing snow, a wintry mix likely in and around the Triangle and mostly rain in areas more to the south and east.
According to the Weather Prediction Center’s probabilistic forecast, there is there is a 30-50 percent chance snow/sleet will exceed 0.25″ liquid equivalent Sunday morning to early Monday morning. However, just west into the Triad, that chance rises to 50-70 percent.
Warmer air will push in Sunday evening, causing much of the snow and wintry mix to transition into rain. This is when flooding could become a problem.
Specifics of this forecast could change significantly in the next 24-48 hours. Keep checking back for updates, but in the meantime go ahead and start making a plan for how you’re going to prepare for this event.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — The system threatening to bring winter weather to central North Carolina this weekend continues to slow down.
As of Thursday morning the system remained off the Oregon coast. It is expected to move ashore sometime Thursday.
As it moves ashore, it will make forecasting its impacts in North Carolina more reliable. Keep a close eye on the forecast from your First Alert Weather Team over the next 24-48 hours for the most accurate and up-to-date details about what this storm will bring to your neighborhood.
Right now, the system looks like it will bring more of a wintry mix than snow.
Sleet, freezing rain and ice combined with strong winds are shaping up to be the biggest threats–which means slick roads and falling trees could be the main dangers you need to watch out for.
WATCH: First Alert to Winter Weather
TIMING
High temperatures Saturday will be in the upper 30s, but they will dip to around freezing Saturday night into Sunday morning.
The low pressure system that will bring moisture into the ABC11 viewing area is expected to arrive around daybreak Sunday.
A wintry mix with sleet and freezing rain will likely begin in the Sandhills and move its way north and east across central North Carolina.
By midday and early afternoon, all of central North Carolina will be seeing some sort of precipitation. With areas north and west more likely to be seeing snow, a wintry mix likely in and around the Triangle and mostly rain in areas more to the south and east.
Warmer air will push in Sunday evening, causing much of the snow and wintry mix to transition into rain.
Specifics of this forecast could change significantly in the next 24-48 hours. Keep checking back for updates, but in the meantime go ahead and start making a plan for how you’re going to prepare for this event.
RALEIGH. N.C. (WTVD) — Heavy rain moved through North Carolina ahead of a sharp drop in temperatures, which brought snow to some areas.
As recent as two days ago, North Carolina was dealing with record heat: Raleigh saw a high of 79 and Fayetteville reached 81 on Jan. 1.
Clouds, rain and gusty wind moved in starting Sunday. On Sunday night into Monday, the temperature plummeted.
At 3:30 p.m., Meteorologist Robert Johnson said only snow remains for parts of the Coastal Plain, and the snow will be out of there by 4 p.m. The sun has returned elsewhere and will create a beautiful sunset this evening around 5 p.m. It’s still breezy out there right now but winds will diminish through the night.
The two main concerns for the evening as icy conditions since temperatures will fall into the teens and 20s, and flooding in low-lying areas such as creeks, rivers, streams.
It will be clear and cold tonight with temperatures in the teens and 20s and Tuesday will be sunny but cold with no one breaking out of the 40s.
LIVE RADAR
3:42 p.m. The City of Raleigh’s curbside collection of garbage and recycling will be delayed on Tuesday because of the inclement weather. The potential for overnight freezing and black ice means a later start for crews.
If your regular collection day is Tuesday, please leave your garbage and recycling carts at the curb. Crews will be working through the evening to complete all routes. Regular pickup of garbage and recycling is scheduled to resume Wednesday.
Yard waste collection will be running a day behind the regular schedule for most customers this week. Here is the adjusted schedule:
Tuesday yard waste collection will occur on Wednesday
Wednesday yard waste collection will occur on Thursday
Thursday and Friday yard waste collection will occur on Friday.
For more information, call Customer Care at (919) 996-3245 or visit the City’s website.
3:30 p.m. Wake County has 2,017 customers without power. Durham County has 2,358 and Orange County has 5,673 without electricity. There are still no estimates for restoration.
2:44 p.m. Although the worst of the day trip to winter appears to be over, Gov. Roy Cooper is urging North Carolinians to exercise caution during the rest of the day.
“It’s better to stay off the road right now in many areas, but if you must drive, stay alert, reduce your speed and turn around if you encounter flooded roads,” said Cooper.
Hazardous weather is expected to continue for a few more hours before conditions improve in most areas later this afternoon. Though the threat of severe storms has ended, strong winds and coastal flooding will continue along the coast through tonight. Hazardous driving conditions could redevelop later tonight and Tuesday morning as black ice can form as temperatures will fall well below freezing.
To stay safe during severe weather, stay tuned to your local weather forecast and have a way to receive weather alerts, such as the ABC11 mobile app.
Statewide about 175,000 utility customers were without power at noon, Cooper said.
Guilford, Forsyth and Mecklenburg counties were reporting some of the largest outages.
Snow is on the ground or falling and temperatures are near or below freezing in some western counties and in counties along the Virginia border.
TIMELINE
Heavy rain, flash flooding and lots of lightning and thunder greeted people in central North Carolina when they woke up Monday morning.
The storms dumped several inches of rain in and around the Triangle. The first round of heavy rain pushed north and east of the Triangle by 8 a.m.
Freezing cold air then rushed into the area, dropping temperatures below freezing starting in places near the NC-Virginia border like Roxboro. That’s where the snow started falling first.
Wake County saw the rain stop around 8 a.m. But by 11 a.m. snow had started falling instead.
The snow continued for a couple of hours, mostly ending before 2 p.m. Flurries are still possible here and there for the rest of the day, but the heaviest of the snow is over.
Temperatures will now remain extremely cold. Lows will drop into the low 20s and even some teens overnight. Tuesday the cold will remain, with highs just getting into the mid-40s.
As for travel conditions, the ground temperatures remain quite warm because of the record heat just days ago. So much of the ABC11 viewing area will not be dealing with significant accumulation.
Still, be careful if you must drive. The roads will definitely be slick (possibly even flooded) and could even freeze in elevated areas.
Areas in and around the Triangle will likely not see much accumulation at all. Areas north of Durham could see dusting develop, especially on raised surfaces. Areas around the North Carolina-Virginia border could see an inch or so of accumulation.
POWER OUTAGES
The rain and wind knocked out power to thousands of people in the Triangle.
Duke Energy said the strong wind gusts were the main culprit of the power outages.
“We’ll be working throughout the day, unfortunately, I think to get these outages repaired,” Jeff Brooks said.
ROAD CONDITIONS & STORM DAMAGE
The flash flooding Monday wreaked havoc on roadways.
The roads that did not flood were slick, causing drivers to need to slow down or risk losing control of their vehicles.
First responders across the area worked quickly to respond to traffic problems and to help motorists navigate the conditions.
IMPACT
In preparation for the potential weather, Orange County Schools opted to cancel classes and all school-related activities.
“Due to a high potential for a variety of inclement weather situations, including high winds, sleet and snow, all OCS schools and buildings will be closed Monday, January 3, 2022,” read a statement from the school district.
Remote learning is also canceled for Orange County Schools on Monday.
Chapel-Hill Carrboro City Schools announced at 5:30 Monday morning that classes would go on as scheduled, but after-school activities would all be canceled Monday. Then at 6 a.m., the school district updated its decision, opting instead to cancel all classes.
Monday, 6 a.m. update: We have a change to announce. CHCCS schools and offices will now be CLOSED on Monday, January 3, 2022. This includes in-person and virtual learning, as well as today’s after-school and extracurricular programs and activities. pic.twitter.com/ozBwC8eq7z
— Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (@chccs) January 3, 2022
Franklin County Schools also decided to cancel classes, citing flash flooding and potential power outages.
See the full school closings list here.
Gov. Roy Cooper issued a statement Sunday afternoon urging North Carolinians to stay aware of the local weather forecast and prepare for any expected conditions.
“It’s important to stay informed of changing weather conditions, and to have a way to receive weather alerts,” Cooper said. “A little preparation before severe or winter weather arrives can help avoid inconveniences and emergencies later.”
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for several North Carolina counties as snow started to fall in the area overnight.
The warning is out for Granville, Halifax, Person, Vance and Warren counties until 8 a.m., according to the National Weather Service. The NWS is forecasting these counties could see up to three to four inches of snow accumulation. Many other counties in the area are under a Winter Storm Advisory.
In Roxboro, one of the units in our breaking news fleet already had a coating of snow around 2:30 a.m.
A car was stuck on the side of the road in Roxboro as well.
Get the latest weather updates sent straight to your phone by downloading the ABC11 mobile app
On Wednesday, the Winter Weather Advisory was issued for the northern half of our viewing area from midnight through 8 a.m. on Thursday. The advisory includes the Triangle counties along with areas north, bordering I-85 and I-95.
The Winter Weather Advisory continues through 8am. Snow will move out this morning leaving behind a cold and windy day with windchills in the 30s most of the day. #ncwx pic.twitter.com/fPSSgn9HWT
— 𝘿𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙬𝙚𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙠𝙚𝙧 (@BigweatherABC11) January 28, 2021
Accumulations now look to be 3 to 4 inches of snow along the Virginia border and 2 to 3 inches in the Triangle. Areas south of the Triangle should see less than an inch.
Most of the accumulation should be grassy surfaces, but since this will be occurring at night, there could be slick spots in the morning.
“This looks to be similar to our event last February which dropped 1 to 3 inches one evening, but did not accumulate on the roads much,” Chief Meteorologist Chris Hohmann said. “Should be a very wet snow, which will be pretty on the trees, etc. It’s not often we go from the 50s and sunshine to snow in less than 12 hours; should be interesting.”
WATCH: Director of Emergency Management Mike Sprayberry on preps for possible snow Thursday morning
Wednesday night’s rain has the North Carolinas Department of Transportation’s salt and sand trucks on standby due to the possibility that it would wash away. Crews are expected to report for duty between midnight and 4 a.m.
The NCDOT expects much of the winter precipitation to melt quickly, but the main concern is higher-elevation roads and bridges
The Sandhills region will see less accumulation, from flurries to a half-inch.
ABC!! Meteorologist Don “Big Weather” Schwenneker said precipitation will move out of our region between 5 to 8 a.m. beginning in the southwest part of the viewing area. Skies will clear out mid-morning with the sun returning. Temperatures will stay well below average in the 40s and wind chills will be in the 30s for most of the day with a stiff wind gust around 25 MPH.
Winter weather in a pandemic | What to expect this year
Typically, our snow events happen when cold air is already in place, and moisture moves into the area.
That’s what happened 21 years ago in one of the biggest snow events the Triangle has ever seen.
Here’s a look back at that snow and what forecasters learned from it:
Check out the latest weather radar
Winter weather in a pandemic | What to expect this year
