Snow blanketed much of North Carolina between Friday night and Sunday, with some in the state seeing snow late Friday night and others not seeing measurable snow until Saturday evening.
Parts of the coast got more than 12 inches of snow. Tarboro got some of the highest snow totals in our area, at least 10 inches, and Raleigh-Durham was among those areas that saw the least snow -- between 2 and 2.5 inches.
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As of 11 p.m. on Sunday, we're seeing:
- Power outages across the state: 654
- Flight cancellations at RDU: 78
- NC State and UNC have already canceled classes for Monday, and public schools are already going remote, including Wake, Chatham, Orange, Durham and Harnett counties, or closing. View all closings.
Wake County schools said that all calendars will make up the school day on Monday, Feb. 16, with the following exceptions:
- Wake STEM: Tuesday, Feb. 17
- Year-round, Track 3: Track 3 is not in session this week, so no makeup day is required.
NASCAR on Sunday announced it would move NASCAR Clash, which was scheduled for Monday at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, to Wednesday, Feb. 4. NASCAR on social media said it was moving the race due to the snowstorm. Winston-Salem saw 11 inches of snow on Saturday.
Roads and parking lots outside of some schools, including Aversboro Elementary in Garner, have yet to be taken care of by plow crews, as they focus primarily on interstates and main roads.
Thanks to these WRAL viewers and readers for sending in some lovely photos of the snow!
While snow is tough on the roads, it is much more fun on high hills and with a sled. Take a look at some people taking advantage of the snow on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Cary's Bond Park, taken by WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell.
How much snow fell across central NC?
While much of the state saw snow earlier on Saturday, many in the Triangle area were frustrated by a "snow hole" that only delivered a few flurries until after dark on Sunday, when the snow really started coming down.
Saturday afternoon, fat snowflakes were sticking in Chapel Hill, but areas like Raleigh, Cary, Garner and Clayton weren't seeing anything.
Finally, after 6 p.m., measurable snow began falling and sticking across Wake, Johnston, Franklin and Harnett counties. At the end of the snow event, Raleigh and Durham saw between 2 and 2.5 inches, with higher totals to the east, including 4 inches in Knightdale and 3.5 inches in Fayetteville.
Clayton saw more than 4 inches of snow, Roxboro and Smithfield got more than 6 inches of snow, and Tarboro saw 10 inches.
'Historic' storm for the coast
This weekend's snow was historic for parts of the Outer Banks, which has seen more snow than Spokane, Washington. The National Weather Service in Newport, N.C., reported a snow depth of 15 inches and multiple snow drifts.
The National Weather Service in Spokane posted on X, "Our friends along the North Carolina coast picked up more snow in one storm than Spokane has seen all winter. Spokane is sitting at just 14 inches for the season (18.9 inches below normal)."
The Outer Banks reported blizzard conditions and some wind gusts over 60 mph.
Sunday snow day will be bitterly cold
The snow is moving out Sunday morning, and while it is tempting to go outside and play, know that it will be bitterly cold. An extreme cold warning is in effect until 9 a.m. on Monday, as wind chills could drop to/below zero degrees.
It will feel like the single digits for much of Sunday morning, so keep that in mind as you dress the kids to play outside. Scarves, gloves, hats and multiple layers will be necessary.
WRAL meteorologists recommend waiting until late morning or early afternoon to play in the snow, when temperatures will be slightly less frigid.
Reduce energy usage
Duke Energy is asking customers to voluntarily reduce energy usage Monday morning from 4 to 10 a.m. to help lessen demand on the electric grid and reduce the need for potential temporary power outages during the cold weather.
Customers can help ease strain on the grid by taking the following steps:
- Reduce thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting.
- Avoid using major appliances such as washing machines, dryers and dishwashers between 4 and 10 a.m.
- Turn off any unnecessary devices, unused plug-ins and lights.
- For electric vehicle owners: Charge midday, when demand is lower.
100 vehicles stranded in Saturday's snow
Troopers said over 30 tractor-trailers and more than 70 cars were trapped along Interstate 85 in Kannapolis on Saturday evening. The road has since reopened with help from the Department of Transportaion, National Guard, NC Emergency Management and local responders.
Drivers are urged to continue avoiding driving during the wintry conditions.
On Saturday night, North Carolina State Highway Patrol said troopers have not responded to any weather related deadly crashes. In a post on Facebook, troopers said there have been a total of 750 crashes reported and more than 800 calls for service.
Sergeant Marcus Bethea with the NC Highway Patrol says that although snow is easier on the tires than snow, people should still avoid driving if they can. If you do need to drive, he emphasizes driving below the speed limit—which are not intended for cold weather conditions—and increase your following distance.
While few accidents have been reported in the snow, Holly Springs Fire Chief Leroy Smith said Saturday an 11-year-old child who fell after attempting to walk on a thin layer of ice that capped a pond has been reunited with their family.
Stay off the roads Sunday
While crews are clearing most highways and interstates, other main roads remain treacherous, and refreezing will complicate the morning commute.
Drivers should stay home Sunday and Monday if possible for their own safety and to allow road crews to work. In a post on Facebook, officers said roads remain hazardous and urge people to stay off the roads.
Garner man builds ice sculpture
Temperatures were so cold on Saturday, lingering in the 20s, that Todd Dawson carved nine blocks of ice into a snow leopard on Saturday. You can send us your best pictures and videos of the snow at pugongyingbo.com/reportit.