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Wet weather moves out of Charlotte, snow falling in mountains

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The dropping temperatures could cause roads that haven't had the chance to dry up to re-freeze overnight, Eyewitness News reporter Nate Stewart reported from Hickory Wednesday night.

It was about 35 degrees in Catawba County at about 5 p.m. but temperatures started to drop and the winds picked up.

Road conditions are improving and are not as wet.

North Carolina Department of Transportation crews said they've been out removing downed trees because of the high winds.

But near Blowing Rock, it's an entirely different story.

NCDOT crews are out pushing snow, trying to clear the roads and Watauga County has 27 trucks out tonight.

They said road conditions are improving but they do expect some nighttime freezing.

It took crews nearly two hours to unblock part of Highway 321 after a rock slide Wednesday.

Officials said winds in this area could still gust as high as 45 to 50 mph.

NCDOT crews are encouraging drivers to use caution as they make their way north and into that snow.

Troopers to increase patrols on interstates

All available troopers are out on the road Wednesday to be ready for the increased holiday traffic in the Charlotte area.

Channel 9 rode along with one of those troopers on Interstate 85.

Trooper said they don't typically see traffic problems there until 3 p.m. or 4 p.m.

He is expecting to see the worst traffic on I-85, Interstate 77 and Interstate 485.

On Tuesday, the trooper said there was an increase in traffic and collisions mostly from people following too closely or driving too fast.

He understands people are in a hurry to get to their loved ones, but said laws will be enforced to keep people safe.

"We're out here looking for aggressive drivers, trying to crack down on speeders and distracted driving, people following too closely and people just driving too fast for the conditions out here," said Highway Patrol Trooper Andrew Davies.

Click here for the interactive radar to see what's happening in your neighborhood.