Winter Weather: Snow, Freezing Rain Hits Greensboro, North Carolina

Greensboro, North Carolina -- Residents of Greensboro awoke this morning to find a two inch coating of snow and ice on the ground as 17 North Carolina counties were placed under a winter storm advisory.

Snow began falling about 2:00 a.m. across the area.

Salt trucks, which had been standing by, began laying down saline compounds in anticipation of snow and ice accumulation of up to two inches. Local channel WFMY reported that the storm had arrived earlier than expected and was moving at a slower speed from west to east across the state. According to WFMY meteorologists this would most likely increase the probability for heavier ice accumulation resulting in downed trees and extended power failures.

Local residents, much like the salt trucks, anticipated the storm and rushed to local grocery stores emptying the shelves of every loaf of bread and every container of milk. Unlike our northern neighbors we southerners know that if we are armed with a loaf of bread and a quart of milk we can endure any hardship.

A pre storm visit to the local Home Depot found customers stocking up on batteries, tarps, snow shovels, and 5 gallon gasoline/kerosene containers in anticipation of localized power failures. Both the Home Dept and Lowes Home Improvement stores were offering special promotions on small home generators.

A team of local 4 wheel drive vehicle owners have offered to provide transportation services for the critical staff of local hospitals. This organization has provided invaluable services to the local hospitals for the past decade.

The local Walmart store reported a run on sleds and snow discs in anticipation of the first snow accumulation of the season.

With the arrival of dawn the snow,which had fallen most of the night, turned to an cold, freezing rain. Main thoroughfares which had been cleared of snow now began to be coated with treacherous black ice. This is a particularly dangerous peril for drivers in the south as they are not familiar with this condition and sadly assume that if no ice can be seen the roads are safe. WFMY reported a series of minor accidents occurring during the morning commute.

As the freezing rain continued to fall throughout the morning tree limbs and power lines began to show signs of thickening ice accumulation. Earlier projections of up to 1/4 inch of ice accumulation were updated to 1/2 inch as a result of the slower moving storm.

Local officials expressed concern that following the year long drought in the area trees may be be more vulnerable to relatively heavy ice accumulations.

Schools canceled classes due to road conditions and several businesses were forced to close as a result of power outages.In Winston Salem local channel WXII reported 309 business and school closings as a result of weather and/or power outages.Greensboro police reported that in addition to several minor fender benders a three car accident on interstate 40 as a result of icy road conditions.resulted in no serious injuries.

With schools canceled local children flocked to area hills hoping to participate in a day of sledding, but as the freezing rain continued to fall the remaining snow became much to wet for sledding and disappointed sledders returned home by mid morning.

According to a report by WFMY TV as of 11:00 a.m. Thursday morning Duke Energy, the local power supplier reported only sporadic power outages as a result of the storm.

As of 2:00 p.m. Thursday the storm appears to have moved east of the Greensboro area, although light freezing rain continues to fall and with temperatures remaining at freezing there has been no melting of ice accumulations on trees.

Local station WFMY continues to ask local drivers to remain extremely cautious as icy roads and falling trees remain a threat in the area.

Having experienced several more severe ice storms in this area, including some which resulted in a loss of power for up to six days in 15 degree weather, it is safe to say we were fortunate to have experienced little loss with this storm.