Cumberland County schools announce delay for Friday morning

Two atmospheric systems will work in tandem to turn rain into snow on Thursday: a high-pressure system to the northwest and a low-pressure system off the North Carolina coast.

"We may not see a changeover into snow until fairly late afternoon or into the evening. Maybe two hours slower than we were expecting yesterday," said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner.

About 1.5 inches of snow is forecast to fall in Raleigh.

"The amounts of snow are not terribly impressive, but this is well within the realm of our forecast," Gardner said.

Maps show counties within a winter weather advisory getting between 1 and 3 inches of snow, while counties east of Interstate 95 under a winter storm warning could get between 3 and 5 inches.

Temperatures will be in the mid-30s and low 40s around noon before beginning to drop around 3 p.m.

Areas near the Virginia border will reach freezing first, and rain will start to turn to snow.

By 6 p.m., temperatures should slip into the lower 30s in most parts of central North Carolina.

It should be cold enough to turn rain into snow between 5 and 7 p.m. in the Triangle, so commuters should plan for extra time and stay cautious on the roads.

Road temperatures are key to determining how much of an impact the wintry weather will have on communities.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation added major roads, exits and ramps to their route, preparing trucks, plows and brine ahead of the winter weather. Crews said they were out working until 3 a.m.

Officials from the NC DOT said the salt and brine should stick to roads as long as the Triangle doesn't get more than a quarter inch of rain; however, WRAL meteorologists are calling for more than a quarter-inch of rain ahead of the snow.

"Don't let the temperature right now fool you. It's still winter," Cooper said. "The state's getting ready, and it's time for you to get ready, too. The entire state is either under a winter weather advisory or warning through tomorrow morning. We can expect white out conditions on the coast."

Colonel Glenn McNeill, Commander of State Highway Patrol, said, "Motorists are encouraged to avoid traveling if at all possible."

"Right now, it's beautiful outside. Please don't let your guard down, because it's going to change come nightfall. Black ice is expected early in the morning and will create treacherous driving conditions." said McNeill.

"This is a statewide event, so we're keeping our resources deployed across the state," said Cooper. "We have some guardsmen activated in the event that we need the national guard."

The system is expected to pull out of the region around 2 a.m. Friday. Black ice will be possible for the Friday morning commute.

Road temperatures, which are warmer than ground surface temperatures, should stay above freezing until early Friday morning.

Wake and Johnston County Public Schools are releasing three hours early, among many other schools and businesses closing early. Cumberland County schools will release two hours early.

In Wake County, school buses and drivers were having to prepare early. The morning seemed normal, with parents dropping off children as usual; however, in only a few hours all the parents will return to pick students up again.

The early dismissals and rainy roads could mean the Triangle sees extra traffic around the time when everyone is getting out of school.

"Keep both hands on the wheel and not one on your phone. Just pay attention," said one driver.

WRAL Weather