Greenville, North Carolina – Residents across Pitt County and much of eastern North Carolina are urged to prepare for icy conditions as a winter weather system brings freezing rain and slick roads through the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the majority of eastern North Carolina. Forecasters say the greatest impacts are expected west of U.S. Highway 17, including Greenville, where confidence is high that freezing rain will be the primary hazard.
Ice accretion amounts are expected to range from a glaze up to around 0.25 inches, with locally higher totals possible in inland communities closer to the I-95 corridor. Roads — especially bridges, overpasses, and untreated surfaces — are likely to become slick and hazardous, increasing the risk of accidents.
The advisory covers the period from Saturday afternoon through Sunday afternoon, with temperatures remaining cold enough for icing during much of that time. While widespread power outages are not guaranteed, isolated outages are possible where ice accumulates on trees and power lines.
Drivers are encouraged to limit travel during periods of freezing rain and allow extra time if travel is unavoidable. Conditions may improve slowly late Sunday as temperatures rise.
