Statesville, North Carolina – Light snow and near-freezing temperatures are creating slick travel conditions across parts of western and central North Carolina Thursday morning, affecting major highways and secondary roads.
According to the U.S. National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg, radar imagery around 9 a.m. showed an area of light snow extending across the North Carolina foothills and into the northwest Piedmont. Temperatures across the region were at or just below freezing, increasing the risk of slick road surfaces, particularly on bridges, overpasses, and untreated secondary roads.
The National Weather Service reported that additional snow accumulation is expected to remain under one inch. However, even light accumulation combined with cold pavement temperatures may lead to black ice development, especially during the morning commute. Traffic camera images from the North Carolina Department of Transportation showed snow-covered shoulders and wet-to-slick travel lanes along I-77 near Statesville and I-40 near Morganton.
Forecasters noted that temperatures are expected to rise later this morning, which should reduce snow intensity and cause precipitation to mix with or change over to rain in some areas. As temperatures climb above freezing, road conditions are expected to gradually improve.
Some flurries may also reach parts of Upstate South Carolina and northeast Georgia, but officials said no significant travel impacts are expected in those areas due to warmer temperatures.
Drivers are urged to use caution through the morning hours, reduce speeds, and allow extra travel time. Sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots may also remain slick until temperatures rise.
The weather system is expected to taper off later today, with minimal additional impacts anticipated beyond the late morning hours.
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