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Winter Weather: Here is what’s happening in the mountains

By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com
By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com

WATAUGA COUNTY, N.C. — Snow continues the blanket the mountains Friday, causing some crashes on the roads, including one where a man died in Ashe County.

>> WINTER WEATHER TIMELINE: When to expect snow where you live

Watauga County

All morning long, Channel 9 saw the North Carolina Department of Transportation out trying to clear roadways like Highway 321 in Watauga County.

Road crews said they had as many as two dozen plows out since 10 p.m. Thursday and they put down more than 100 tons of salt across the county.

Troopers spoke with us earlier asking drivers to exercise extreme caution if they have to go out.

“They’re out in force right now the DOT is with the current snowfall. The way that it is it’s still extremely hazardous,” Sgt. Martin with the North Carolina Highway Patrol said.

One of the big concerns is the frigid temperature going into Saturday morning with temperatures falling into the upper teens.

Caldwell County

Blowing Rock is expected to get four inches of snow Friday.

We talked to a family who was visiting the mountains from Gastonia. They were throwing snowballs, walking around and just taking in the beauty of the winter storm.

“We went skiing yesterday, playing snow fights, so we’re excited, we love it,” Gastonia resident Melanie Hilliard said.

Channel 9 checked many of the main roads in Blowing Rock throughout the day. They are mostly clear with some slush, but could turn into ice patches as night falls.

In Hickory, road crews brined the roads Thursday and put down salt Friday morning. The city also had about14 plow trucks standing by all day.

The city expected several inches of snow, but temperatures were warm so much of it didn’t stick.

Hickory Public Works director Steve Miller said at this point, his big concern is Friday night.

“Once we know the temps are going to switch over to below freezing we will have some salt and sand crews spot checking some areas and things like that,” he said.

Public works relies on emergency workers and the public to tell them about black ice. If you find any, call Hickory police and report it so road crews can come out to treat the area with salt and sand.

Friday’s school schedules:

  • Alexander County Schools: Remote
  • Avery County Schools: Closed
  • Burke County Schools: Remote
  • Caldwell County Schools: Remote
  • Cleveland County Schools: Closed
  • Gaston County Schools: Remote
  • Iredell-Statesville Schools: Closed
  • Lincoln County Schools: 2-hour delay/teacher workday
  • Rowan-Salisbury Schools: Remote
  • Watauga County Schools: Remote

Some mountain county schools switch to remote learning due to weather concerns



Cox Media Group

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