CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A winter blast crippled the Charlotte area Thursday, dumping 12 to 18 inches of snow in two separate rounds.

The storm was the fourth largest accumulation in Charlotte's history.

Eyewitness News chief meteorologist Steve Udelson said Charlotte received 12 inches, while Rock Hill got 18 inches of snow.

Lingering snow and sleet showers will continue to threaten the Charlotte metro area and points eastward into the early evening hours.

It is possible that an additional snow or ice accumulation will occur, especially east of Charlotte.

Of greater concern is the threat of melting snow refreezing on roads across the western Carolinas overnight.

Drivers should be wary of black ice conditions developing late Friday evening with the threat lasting until mid-morning Saturday.

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Schools were canceled and roads were impassable across most of the city in the morning hours.

Traffic was moving slowly along interstates and side roads were visibly barren of cars.

The Charlotte Area Transit System said it will end service at 7 p.m. Friday and run on a normal schedule Saturday.

Duke Power reports 2,900 power outages system wide, including 1,400 in Charlotte.

Officials at Charlotte Douglas International Airport say approximately 700 people were stranded due to the weather.

Road crews are concentrating on main thoroughfares as they continue their cleanup efforts Friday.