Roads clear but some power outages from freezing rain event
A soaking, freezing rain on Thursday morning resulted in far fewer power outages than originally expected.
Posted — UpdatedA soaking, freezing rain on Thursday morning resulted in far fewer power outages from the Triangle northward than originally expected.
"Even 1 or 2 degrees makes a big difference with the ability to see some of those raindrops freeze," Gardner said.
Freezing rain began falling as early as 3 a.m. north of the Triangle, and crews in Person and Granville counties reported icicles and a thick glaze on surfaces like tree limbs, street signs and cars. Power lines and tree branches became slightly weighed down by the ice, but weather-related power outages and crashes were minimal.
According to the state Department of Transportation, roads remained wet but clear of ice, even close to the Virginia line. Clusters of power outages were reported in the Triangle and in Winston-Salem, but those were isolated and resolved quickly.
In Person County, where up to half an inch of freezing rain was expected to fall, few to no power outages were reported.
Durham saw heavy downpours at times and more ice than Raleigh, where a very light glaze covered some trees. By 9 a.m., temperatures were above freezing in the Triangle, and Gardner said there would be no more ice accumulation until after midnight.
Freezing rain could fall in areas northwest of Durham throughout the afternoon, but there should be a break in ice accumulation before another round of freezing rain expected to arrive early Friday morning.
A winter storm warning remains in effect for Durham, Orange, Person, Granville, Vance, Warren, Forsyth, Guilford and Alamance counties until 7 a.m. Friday.
Scattered rain is expected to continue all day Thursday and for the first half of Friday, with up to 3 inches possible in some spots, and flash flooding will be possible, especially in counties southeast of the Triangle.
Updates
No power outages have been reported in Person County, the area expected to be hit hardest with freezing rain Thursday morning.
Travelers should check with their individual airlines before heading to the airport to make sure their flight is running on schedule.
The WRAL Severe Weather Center is still keeping an eye on counties north of the Triangle, where temperatures are colder and freezing rain continues to build. Person County, which was heavily impacted by last weekend's storm, is still not reporting widespread power outages, but they will be possible throughout the morning.
At 9:30 a.m., the State Department of Transportation had no reports of slick roads in the WRAL viewing area.
While roads mainly wet, ice continues to build on power lines and tree limbs in Person County, and officials said the county's emergency services command center was open all night preparing for power outages and storm damage. Some people in Person County just had their power restored after a serious Saturday ice storm.
If more people lose power Thursday, the county is prepared to put people in hotel rooms, and the Salvation Army is ready to hand out blankets and food.
WRAL Elizabeth Gardner said the Triangle should see a break in ice accumulation around lunchtime, when temperatures rise above freezing. However, temperatures will stay cold and scattered showers will continue all afternoon.
"It's going to feel really chilly and really miserable but we should stop the accumulation of ice," Gardner said.
After a break Thursday afternoon and evening, another round ice accumulation is expected between midnight and 4 a.m. on Friday morning.
When it comes to power outages and downed trees, the worst damage will be in our northern counties, Gardner said. In the Triangle, expect isolated power outages and light icing throughout the day, and areas southeast of Raleigh could eventually experience flooding.
Archie said crews trim trees and branches year-round and check equipment to prepare for storms like this. She expects outages to increase throughout the day as conditions worsen but said crews are ready to respond. People in harder hit areas, most close to the Virginia line, should prepare for the possibility of longer outages.
Knox asked people to stay home if at all possible.
"The only way to prepare [for ice] is to not drive on it," he said. "There is no way to avoid the ice."
The Durham County Sheriff's Office tweeted, "If you're headed out this morning watch out for slick spots on roadways especially around bridges & overpasses. The safest place is home but if you must drive, wear your seat belt, stay below the speed limit, don't get distracted by your phone, & never drive under the influence."
While freezing rain is falling and ice is accumulating north of Raleigh, areas southeast of the Triangle are mainly seeing a heavy rain. Thunderstorms will be possible south of Raleigh on Thursday, but severe storms are not expected.
Flooding could become an issue by Friday and over the weekend as rain totals reach 3 inches.
"We expect hours and hours of icing today," said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner, with most freezing rain expected to fall before lunchtime on Thursday.
"Typically ice storms in the Triangle don't cause an icy glaze on roads, but they can," said Gardner.
Ice was accumulating on tree branches in Oxford, signaling what could happen to power lines throughout the morning.
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