RALEIGH — The Triangle region was spared once again as a winter storm brought snow, sleet and significant icing in Greensboro and points west, but mainly a cold rain here.

No widespread road problems are expected Friday morning. At 5:30 a.m., it was 33 degrees at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Temperatures were below freezing in some areas north and west of the Triangle, meaning some possible slick spots on bridges.

Temperatures in all of the TV5 viewing area should rise well above freezing Friday afternoon and night, with some heavy rain possible Friday night.

There was a brief period of sleet in the Triangle area Thursday afternoon, but that turned freezing rain and then to rain in most areas.

It was a different scenario west and north of the Triangle. Snow gave way to freezing rain around nightfall in the Triad area. There was more accumulation and danger of freezing in those areas. Farther west, several inches of snow fell by nightfall and some accumulation was expected.

Several wrecks were reported on Interstates 40 and 26 in western North Carolina because of the weather.

Higher elevations reported up to four inches of snow on the ground, with up to three inches in other mountain counties. Sleet and freezing rain fell as far east as Raleigh and Greensboro.

School systems from Rutherford County in the west to Guilford County in the east took no chances Thursday afternoon, sending students home early.