Another round of snow today
By Steve Herring
Published in News on January 17, 2018 5:50 AM
Snow lie -- Wayne County is bracing today for its second measurable snowfall within just two weeks, which is expected to be topped off with a light glaze of ice.
Snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches are possible, but little to no ice accumulation is expected.
A strong upper level trough was approaching from the west overnight. It, along with a strong arctic cold front, will push through the region today bringing accumulating snow and very cold temperatures to central North Carolina.
Wind chill values will be as low as 10 degrees tonight.
A winter weather advisory is in effect from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. today in advance of a storm that could drop between 1 and 2 inches of snow on the area.
Rain is possible before 10 a.m. today before changing over to snow mainly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and then becoming freezing rain.
The daytime high temperature today will be near 34 degrees.
There is an 80 to 90 percent chance of snow so it is "pretty much a done deal," said Scott Sharpe, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Raleigh.
"It looks like a solid 1 to 2 inches, maybe 1 to 3 inches near the Johnston-Wayne county line," he said. "But it looks like a solid 1 to 2 right there across Wayne County including Goldsboro."
Tonight there is a 30 percent chance of freezing rain before 7 p.m. with lows overnight of around 18 degrees and wind chill values as low as 10. Little or no new snow accumulation is expected.
"The snow will probably end as a brief period of light freezing rain or freezing drizzle," Sharpe said. "There may be enough to give a very light glaze on top of the snow, or exposed objects.
"We are not expecting anything that would down power lines or anything of that sort. It might be a light glaze at the worst."
State Department of Transportation crews spent part of Monday applying a brine solution to Wayne County's four-lane roads. They continued those efforts through Tuesday.
According to the National Weather Service, the snow is expected to end from the west this afternoon.
Motorists are being warned to plan on slippery snow and ice covered road conditions.
"I think snow-covered road will be the main culprits for folks," Sharpe said.
AAA Carolinas is offering drivers tips on how to stay safe if the roads get rough:
• Do not tailgate. Normal following distances of three to four seconds on dry pavement should be extended to a minimum of five to six seconds when driving on slippery surfaces. The extra time will provide additional braking room should a sudden stop become necessary.
• Never use cruise control on slippery roads. If your vehicle hydroplanes or skids, you will lose the ability to regain some traction simply by lifting off the accelerator. It will be harder to recover from the loss of traction if cruise control is active.
• Slow down and adjust your speed to the road conditions. Leave yourself ample room to stop. Accelerate, turn and brake as gradually and smoothly as you can.
• Don't slam on the brakes. If your car begins to skid, continue to steer in the direction you want the car to go. Slamming on the brakes will only make your vehicle harder to control.
• Use extreme caution on bridges and overpasses. Black ice typically forms first in shaded areas of the roadway and on bridges and overpasses that freeze first and melt last. Although the road leading up to a bridge may be fine, the bridge itself could be a sheet of ice.
• React quickly. Watch the traffic ahead and slow down immediately at the sight of brake lights, skidding cars or emergency flashers.
AAA Carolinas also reminds drivers that cars are more likely to break down if proper maintenance has not been done on the vehicle.
A simple seasonal checkup could help minimize breakdowns and alert drivers to any issues their car might have.
"If you have no choice but to venture out into ice and snow, remember to pack an emergency kit and drive slowly," said AAA Carolinas Traffic Safety Foundation President Tiffany Wright. "However, if you really don't have to go out, stay home. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can."
Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are expected across the central part of the state.
The higher totals are likely to be from the Triangle area to Roanoke Rapids where 2 to 3 inches are expected, according to the National Weather Service.
The lowest totals of an inch or less are likely along the southern border, near the S.C. state line where the snow should begin as a period of rain early today.
Thursday will be sunny with a high near 40 degrees with temperatures moderate by the weekend when they will reach near 50 on Friday, near 55 on Saturday and near 63 on Sunday.
-- News-Argus Staff Writer Ethan Smith contributed to this report.