Friday's winter weather: Two hurt in weather-related wreck in Fayetteville

Wintry precipitation is expected to push through central and eastern North Carolina between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Friday, with accumulations ranging from a trace to about 1 inch of snow and possibly sleet.

Posted 3:27 p.m. Feb 12, 2016 — Updated 6:04 p.m. Jul 13, 2018

Update: 3 p.m.: Two people were taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville after a wreck involving a Suzuki and Honda Odyssey on N.C. Highway 401 near East Reeves Bridge Road, North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers said.

The wreck happened when the Suzuki, which was traveling northbound, lost control, started spinning and hit the Honda. Both vehicles ended up in the ditch of N.C. 401.

The driver of the Honda, 63-year-old Linda Raynor, of Linden, and the unidentified man driving the Suzuki were each taken to the hospital. Troopers said the man was revived at the scene by emergency responders.

Troopers also told WRAL News that they believe the wreck was weather related.

Two vehicles were invovled in a wreck Friday afternoon on N.C. Highway 401 in Fayetteville. (Photo by Michael Joyner)

Update: 2:20 p.m.: Areas from downtown Raleigh north and west have seen flurries, but many of the roads in those areas are still dry. South and east of the Triangle, especially in parts of Fayetteville up the I-95 corridor, roads are wet.

The National Weather Service says light mixed wintry precipitation – snow, sleet and freezing rain – will be ending from west to east during the afternoon hours.

Light accumulations are expected in areas that saw more snow, including in several parts of the Coastal Plain. Because of continued cold temperatures below freezing, roads that are wet could become icy during the evening and nighttime hours.

Update: 1:35 p.m.: No major issues are being reported on area roads, but many parts of the region are seeing snow, sleet and freezing precipitation.

That is expected to continue through the mid-afternoon before the winter weather system pushes out of the state ahead of a sunny, very cold weekend.

Snow helped create a very serene view outside the Johnston County Courthouse.

Update: 12:55 p.m.: Parts of the area are seeing more snow and sleet as a large area of wintry precipitation continues to spread across the region.

WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said the forecast is remaining steady – widespread road problems are not expected as areas see more snow.

There are better chances for accumulation along the Interstate 95 corridor and points south in Cumberland, Duplin, Bladen and Sampson counties.

Raleigh and areas to the north and west don't have a good chance to see major issues.

Meanwhile, in Apex, twins Audrey and Joey are ready for some snow.

Twins Audrey and Joey are waiting on snow in Apex. Photo courtesy Anne Kimmel

Update: 12:30 p.m.: WRAL traffic reporter Brian Shrader says the area's roads are holding up just fine as precipitation moves into the area.

Shrader says slick bridges are possible this afternoon in areas that see more precipitation, but he said drivers should not expect widespread issues for the evening commute.

WRAL reporter Gilbert Baez said Fayetteville road conditions are holding up well after being treated by Department of Transportation crews treated them Thursday.

Update: 12 p.m.: WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner says the wintry weather that is moving into the region is struggling to reach the ground because of dry air aloft.

"We have snow, sleet and freezing rain moving into the area, but many areas aren't seeing precipitation reaching the ground," she said. "Where precipitation is fairly light, it is evaporating before it reaches the ground."

Parts of Cumberland, Sampson, Duplin and Bladen counties could be seeing sleet and freezing rain.

"We're talking about very light accumulation amounts for those places that do see heavier precipitation," Gardner said. "We're not experiencing any major problems, but that could change." Hear more from Elizabeth on the forecast for the afternoon.

Despite the lack of widespread precipitation, some areas are seeing flakes. Viewer Mike Willard sent in a photo of his pup, Sugar Bear, enjoying the snow in Goldsboro.

Update: 11:30 a.m.: According to the National Weather Service, wintry precipitation will be on the increase in the next few hours in the southeast portions of the viewing area, including Raeford. Fayetteville, Clinton and Mount Olive.

Most areas in and around Lillington, Raleigh and points north and west will see flurries. Areas to the south and east have a better chance of seeing accumulation.

Forecast: Wintry precipitation is expected to push through central and eastern North Carolina between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Friday, with accumulations ranging from a trace to about 1 inch of snow and possibly sleet.

Though accumulations are expected to be light, recent cold temperatures could mean slick road conditions for parts of the area, especially in spots that see more snow and ice.

From the Triangle east, areas have a better chance to see some light accumulation of snow. Areas south toward Fayetteville and Goldsboro could see a mix of snow, sleet and rain, but significant accumulation is not expected. Some schools closed Friday due to the threat, and others are dismissing early, including Johnston, Moore and Cumberland counties.

"(The weather) lasts through lunchtime and into early afternoon, and then it's out of here," said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner. "Skies will clear."

WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel says area residents shouldn't be expecting a major snowstorm.

Highs will only be in the mid-30s Friday, continuing a stretch of several consecutive days with very cold temperatures. Overnight lows Friday will be in the low 20s.

Drier air is expected to move into the region late Friday as the system moves out, and sunshine returns Saturday to pair with temperatures again in the low 30s.

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