(The Center Square) – Snow fell Saturday and is forecast to reach 5 to 10 inches on the famed Outer Banks of North Carolina before ending Sunday.
While most snowfalls in the state seldom reach the coast and accumulation totals are greatest in the mountains, the storm this weekend has those reversed sans the higher elevations. A low-pressure system parallel and making its way up the Atlantic Seaboard brought heavier snow to the eastern part of the state.
Temperatures were colder in Florida (high teens, low 20s) than in southeastern Alaska (33 to 41 degrees), and snow fell in Tallahassee, Fla., and was forecast in Tampa.
Bands spinning off the low pressure dictated accumulation amounts. North Carolina Emergency Management, to show the example, posted on social media the difference in two four-lane divided highways 18 miles apart – one dusted, one fully covered and increasing in inches.
The heart of the coastal plains in North Carolina was among the fastest gainers in inch counts, with Jacksonville and New Bern in the U.S. 17 corridor leading the way. Piedmont also got a solid start during the morning.
As afternoon turned to evening, total delays into or out of Charlotte Douglas International Airport was 1,031, Raleigh-Durham International Airport 175 and Piedmont Triad International 55, according to the tracking platform FlightAware.
“We will continue to see winter storm impacts in many communities across the state today and through tonight, so all North Carolinians need to remain weather aware and stay off the roads, if possible,” said Don Campbell, chief of staff at the North Carolina Emergency Management. “In addition to today’s snowfall, we will see dangerously low temperatures which requires you to have a plan in place to stay warm and safe tonight.”
Forecasts have snow ending on Sunday and sunny skies returning. Cold temperatures are forecast into the new workweek.
More than 2,500 employees and contractors are on the move for the state Department of Transportation, the governor’s office said. Early Saturday, more than 5,500 tons of salt were on roads. Brining preparation was done throughout the state Wednesday through Friday.
Wind gusts are comparable to summertime tropical storms. The mountains were expecting gusts of 55-65 mph, and the coast 55-70 mph. For comparison, a Category 1 hurricane is maximum sustained winds of 74-95 mph; tropical storm winds are from 39-73 mph.
An emergency has been declared by first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein on the state level and second-term Republican President Donald Trump on the federal level.
The declaration by Trump unlocks federal taxpayer dollars for things like deployment of additional generators to hospitals and shelters; emergency food, water and fuel; and support from the U.S. Forest Service to remove downed trees as needed. Stein’s declaration sets up proactive response by the National Guard, lawmen, and search and rescue teams; enables protective measures and consumer protection; enables authorities to implement curfews or area access restrictions; and enables government entities to seek state funding for recovery efforts.
The state price gouging law also remains in effect, said first-term Democratic Attorney General Jeff Jackson. It is automatic with Stein’s declaration.
Taxpayers’ protection by the price gouging law includes no excessive charges during a crisis, such as inflated costs for a generator or other everyday goods and services. Prices can be adjusted for impact of critical events on their operations, but not to boost profits.
Taxpayers through General Assembly appropriations supply about $60 million annually for winter storms to be handled by the state Department of Transportation. The cost of brine treatments on roads is about $6 per mile; salt is $15 per mile.
“Today is bringing snowfall across our state,” Stein said. “Our transportation, public safety, and emergency management teams are positioned and working to keep people safe, and I’m grateful for their continued efforts. Stay home and off the roads, grab a sled, and enjoy the winter fun.”
