Hundreds of weather-related wrecks reported; temps still bitter

Statewide, troopers have responded to 1,109 wrecks in that same time period. Gordon says the majority of those wrecks are weather related, and he also said that no fatalities have been reported.

"In general, precipitation is tapering off. A lot of the bulk of it is moving into Virginia, but along the U.S. Highway 1 boundary we're continuing to have the development of precipitation," she said.

Precipitation is likely to stay patchy through the afternoon and into the evening, although it will change over to rain during the afternoon. Temperatures are creeping toward 30 degrees.

A winter weather advisory remains in effect for the bulk of the area until 7 p.m. Monday.

He said the vast majority of the wrecks have been damage only. Gordon said road conditions deteriorated rapidly just before the busiest commute hours.

"If you don't have to get out, please don't. I was on I-40 and observed someone spinning out of control because they were driving too fast for the conditions," he said. "The weather will get better eventually, and that will help us clean up these wrecks."

Gordon offered the following simple tips for those who must drive:

Durham County deputies have responded to 21 wrecks Monday morning, with three of those incidents involving minor injuries.

"We're watching some little bursts of precipitation marching along the U.S. Highway 1 corridor," WRAL's Elizabeth Gardner said. "We've seen some heavier bands of frozen precipitation moving through. It's not over by any means."

Gardner said sleet is likely in many of the bands of precipitation that are moving through.

Some of the sleet that fell earlier stuck to the roads very quickly. Temperatures remain in the upper 20s and won't climb above freezing until the afternoon.

"We're into the 9 a.m. hour now, but road conditions aren't improving all that quickly. Four-wheel drive vehicles are having trouble this morning, too, according to several reports I've received on Twitter," WRAL's Brian Shrader said.

"We'll climb into the mid-30s this afternoon, but it's going to take quite a bit of time to get there," she said. "The good news is that much warmer weather is on the way for the rest of the week."

Wrecks continue to be reported on interstates and on primary roads in Raleigh, including Gorman Street near I-40 and on Poole Road.

South of the Triangle, authorities in Fayetteville closed Andrews Road due to icy conditions. The road was closed between Ramsey Street and McArthur Road.

No serious injuries were reported in the wreck, but major delays were being reported as a result of it. Drivers should avoid the area if possible.

Authorities have also shut down northbound lanes of I-95 at Exit 58 (I-295) in Cumberland County. Drivers should take Exit 58 to U.S. 13 and turn left on Wade-Stedman Road to return to I-95 at Exit 61.

Officials said airlines have canceled about 70 flights so far thanks to poor weather conditions.Travelers are encouraged to check with their individual airlines for their flight status.

"Remember, even if our precipitation comes to an end we will continue to have problems until we get above freezing," she said. "It may be 1 or 2 p.m. before temperatures get into the mid-30s."

Patchy freezing rain is still falling in parts of Wake, Durham and Johnston counties.

"We may not climb past freezing until this afternoon, so this ice is going nowhere fast," she said.

WRAL's Brian Shrader said ramps and bridges continue to be an issue.

"Traffic is at a standstill in many places," he said.

"Overpasses and bridges are a particular problem area," Gordon says. "Our call volume has really increased in the last hour. We really need people to stay home if they can."

Gordon says anyone involved in a wreck should get as far away from their vehicle as possible to prevent any pedestrian-related wrecks as other people may slide off the roads near a wreck.

"Freezing rain is coming down across a large part of the area, and it's having a big impact on the roads," WRAL's Elizabeth Gardner said. "Those problems will continue through the morning, because temperatures won't be above freezing until after lunchtime."

WRAL's Brian Shrader said many bridges have been closed because they are covered in ice.

"We've seen dozens of vehicles spin out on slick bridges," he said. "The ramp from U.S. 264 westbound to I-440 eastbound is closed. We're also seeing problems in Cary. If you can, stay home this morning."

WRAL's Julia Sims says snow has changed over to freezing rain in Person County, also creating slick conditions in and around Roxboro.

During the afternoon, temperatures will climb into the mid-30s.

Authorities also shut down U.S. Highway 64 east near mile marker 469 in Rocky Mount.

No major injuries have been reported.

"It's a mess in spots around the Triangle right now. We've had crews putting down brine over the weekend, and we've a full force of crews in since overnight treating roads with sand and salt. It's going to take time to get roads back to normal," DOT spokesman Mike Charbonneau said. "Bridges and overpasses will be particular problem spots this morning."

Temperatures below freezing will continue to make road conditions hazardous through the morning hours.

Freezing rain began falling in Raleigh shortly after 5 a.m., and several issues were being reported shortly after.

State DOT officials said salt and sand trucks were out to treat highways and primary roads, and they urged drivers to stay off the roads if possible.

A wreck on Interstate 440 near Wade Avenue closed at least one lane of the highway.

"You just want to stay home this morning," WRAL's Elizabeth Gardner. "Road conditions will improve later, but it won't be until lunchtime."

"Roads are dry in a lot of our southern counties, but that's not the case where we've seen snow overnight. Roxboro, parts of Durham and other northern areas could be seeing travel issues all morning," he said.

WRAL reporter Julia Sims captured the scene in Roxboro early Monday morning as snow covered streets in downtown.

Winter weather advisories are in effect for most counties in the Triangle, including Wake, Cumberland, Johnston and Durham counties through 7 p.m.

Northwestern counties, including Person and Orange, are under a winter storm warning until 9 p.m. Monday.

"We're seeing the bulk of the snow north and west of Raleigh right now, but of course that could change through the morning, "WRAL traffic reporter Brian Shrader said.

Because of the recent cold weather, any frozen precipitation that does fall could quickly create issues on the roads once it begins to fall.

"We could go from roads that are perfectly clear to literally an ice rink in a matter of minutes," WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said.

In preparation for the winter weather, the state Department of Transportation began brining roads Saturday, dumping more than 100,000 gallons of brine in Wake County alone. Brine is most effective when it's down on the road prior to precipitation.

Plows were out early Monday morning in Person County after the snow began to fall.

Warmer air will build into the region through the day on Monday, and conditions should improve on the area's roads by the afternoon hours. Rainfall will stay in the forecast later Monday and into Tuesday.