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Updated Thursday Feb 19 8:00 a.m.
Bitterly cold temperatures and wind chills are expected across North Carolina though the end of the week with warmer weather expected by Saturday, according to the National Weather Service in Raleigh. Nighttime temperatures in the single digits possible with wind chills compounding the freezing conditions. Black ice remains an issue for travelers, especially on secondary and rural roads. (Complete forecasts are below.) The coastal Wind Chill Advisories (where wind chills will range down to 5 below zero) also urges people to protect pipes by making sure to leave faucets at a slow drip overnight and making sure pipes adjacent to outside walls are wrapped and well insulated.
Not something you see everyday RT@KDVR: Front of Jeep ‘frozen in time’ in NC parking lot http://t.co/b7HAfGa82u http://t.co/yo2XencjhI
— NCDOT (@NCDOT) February 19, 2015
Updated Wednesday Feb 18 12:10 p.m.
The current Special Weather Statement from the National Weather Service states that residual patchy ice will continue to pose a weather hazard this afternoon. A band of snow showers expected with the strong cold front mid to late afternoon.
For Manteo, NC, and coastal areas expect wind chills from zero to 10 degrees late tonight and Thursday, and wind chills from -5 to 5 degrees expected late Thursday night into Friday.
Current weather conditions across North Carolina & the WUNC listening area:
Interactive outage map from Duke Energy (zoom in for details):
Updated Wednesday Feb 18 8:05 a.m.
The State of Emergency issued earlier this week by Governor McCrory has been liftedwith the passing of the storms that dumped ice, sleet and snow across North Carolina.
While it will eventually warm up to the upper 30s later today, very frigid weather is around the corner. Temperatures on Thursday and Friday are expected to dip into the low single digits at night in the Piedmont and Sandhills. The National Weather Service has posted a Winter Weather Advisory for black ice through this morning and a wind chill advisory for tonight into Friday morning for much of central North Carolina.
Cold Enough For You?
Stuck at home surrounded by snow and ice? Consider the fishing crew of Antarctic Chieftain who were rescued by a U.S. Coast Guard cutter crew after being beset by ice in the Antarctic Circle. The cutter, The Polar Star, is the nation’s only heavy icebreaker capable of operating in the thick Antarctic ice. In all, twenty-six people were rescued. The rescue mission was completed on Sunday. The Coast Guard have posted more pictures and details.
Updated Tuesday Feb 17 4:30 p.m.
Winter Weather Advisories have been issued by the National Weather Servicefor large portions of central North Carolina. Very cold temperatures will cause melted snow and ice from Monday's earlier storm to freeze causing possible black ice conditions across the Piedmont of North Carolina and adjacent areas. Advisories remain in effect through mid-morning Wednesday.
Conditions are ideal for the formation of black ice on interstates in addition to secondary streets and roads. Sidewalks can be hazardous. Ice will form first on bridges and overpasses.
According to RDU officials, 112 flights were canceled at the airport on Tuesday morning and midday. Officials said flight schedules were returning to normal by 3:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, but were also reporting some delays and a handful of cancelations.
On the lighter side of things, North Carolina State Senator Jeff Jackson (a Democrat representing District 37) decided to have a little fun with a snow day work day at the State Legislature:
I think I'm the only legislator in the building. Let me take care of a few things. Medicaid = expanded. Teachers = paid. Film = jobs. #NCGA
— Sen. Jeff Jackson (@JeffJacksonNC) February 17, 2015
You can read all his tweets and other's reactions on Twitter. BuzzFeed and others picked up this viral story of one man's adventures in state government and the hashtag #JustOneLegislator.
Updated Tuesday Feb 17 11:30 a.m.:
A press release from the Governor McCrory's office asks travelers to stay off the roads and prepare for potential power outages.
“This is not your typical North Carolina winter storm where the sunshine melts the snow and ice in a day or two. The extended low temperatures and black ice likely will make this a dangerous situation for several days,” Governor McCrory said. “Our crews have been out in full force treating the roads, but there is not much you can do about black ice.”
Want to share a now day picture with us? Tweet using hashtag #wuncwx . See loads more (and more weather news) on WUNC's Twitter feed, too.
@wunc snow day sled races. #WUNCwx! #ncwx pic.twitter.com/S54XALXCR3
— Stephen King (@sking4) February 17, 2015
Updated Tuesday Feb 17 9:45 a.m.: Precipitation ending from west to east with Winter Storm Warnings expiring for the Triangle area. Existing ice and sleet continues to make driving conditions very dangerous. Snow continues to fall around Manteo, NC, and coastal areas.
Winter weather continues to impact flights at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. More than 100 flights have been canceled today according to RDU officials.
Updated Tuesday Feb 17 6:55 a.m.: Snow, ice and freezing rain will continue to fall across a widespread area of North Carolina. The National Weather Service warns that travel is hazardous or near impossible with bitter cold temperatures in the single digits on the way. Warnings for the Triangle area are posted through Tuesday morning, 9 a.m. Icy roads will continue to pose problems for travel for some time. Numerous state agencies and officials are warning people to stay off the roads and be alert for black ice and other weather-related issues.
Update Monday Feb 16 12:20 p.m.: Area schools, day cares and business are closing early Monday with many on a delayed schedule for Tuesday.
The National Weather Service has also extended eastward the counties now under the Winter Weather Warning.
Original Post:
A wintry mix of snow and ice is expected across much of North Carolina Monday according to the National
Weather Service. Winter Storm Warnings are in effect just west of I-95 and Winter Storm Watches in effect mostly to the east of I-95 beginning Monday mid-afternoon and extending until noon on Tuesday.
Snow, sleet and ice, with accumulations topping 4 or 5 inches are likely to make travel hazardous Monday evening into Tuesday.
