Snow to taper off, cold to linger

Raleigh, N.C. — People in central and eastern North Carolina can look forward to an afternoon of off-and-on snowfall Tuesday, WRAL Meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said, and cold temperatures will keep it on the ground the next day.

"We're beginning to see it taper off," Gardner said. "The snowfall is over along the Virginia border and in the western and southern parts of the WRAL viewing area." She said the snow would continue to taper off from west to east through the remainder of the day.

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 A winter storm warning remained in effect for the entire eastern half of the state through 6 p.m. Tuesday. The snow on the ground was expected to average about 6 inches in most places.

More snow fell in and around Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham, Carthage, Smithfield, Rocky Mount, Pittsboro and Lillington. Less of the white stuff accumulated along the Virginia border – from South Hill in Virginia southwest back to Roxboro.

After the snow, skies will clear overnight and temperatures will fall through the teens.

"Everywhere that is slushy now will freeze over, making conditions rather treacherous on the roads again Wednesday morning," Gardner said.

School and business closures and late openings were already beginning to come out for Wednesday.

"Once the sun comes out Wednesday, that plays a big role in how quickly the roads can be cleared," she added. Skies should be clear enough to allow for the ice and snow to melt, even though forecast highs are only in the 30s.

By Thursday, a high in the upper 40s should finish off any remnants of the snowfall, Gardner said.

"Once we get to 48 (degrees) Thursday, that should wipe things out," Gardner said.

The weekend weather will feel downright balmy after the recent run of cold weather. Daytime highs are forecast to be in the 50s – close to normal for this time of year.