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Timeline: Real-time winter weather information

Real-time updates from WCNC Charlotte as winter weather moves through the Carolinas.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Friday, February 21

6:00 AM: A truck runs off the road on Albemarle Road at I-485 after hitting a slick spot near the overpass. The driver of the truck is OK after crashing into a sign and ending up in a wooded area. 

11:00 PM: Here are the latest snowfall accumulations:

  • In Avery County, Banner Elk saw 2.5" inches
  • In Caldwell Couny, Uptown saw 3" while Gamewell and Lenior saw only an 1".
  • In Buncombe County, 2" were reported
  • The northern portions of Burke County reported 2" in Jonas Ridge while the lower elevations of Morganton saw 0.5"
  • Harrisburg in Cabarrus Count saw 0.3"
  • In Catawba County, Propst reported 0.6"
  • In Iredell, Turnersburg saw 0.5"
  • Mecklenburg saw upwards of 0.5" on the cooler surfaces outside WCNC Charlotte while Matthews reported only 0.2"
  • Enochville in Rowan County reported 0.8" and 0.5" in Rockwell

10:50 PM: A band of snow over Iredell, Lincoln, and Catabwa counties is trying to bring a few more flakes... but they may not be reaching the ground.

9:45 PM: Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich provides a look at snowfall accumulations.

9:30 PM: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announce Friday closure. See the full list on wcnc.com/closings 

8:50 PM: City of Charlotte offices to open at 10 a.m. on Friday. See the full list on wcnc.com/closings 

8:30 PM: Union County schools have announced a closure for Friday. See the full list on wcnc.com/closings 

8:00 PM: WCNC Charlotte and the First Warn storm team are back with continuing coverage online and on social media.

7:30 PM: New storm accumulation reports are coming in... including 1" in Lenior.

7:00 PM: Temperature at Charlotte Douglas International Airport is holding at 34 degrees.

6:20 PM: Catawba County offices, including libraries and early voting, will open at 10 a.m. Friday. See the full list on wcnc.com/closings 

6:00 PM: The temperature in Charlotte is 34 degrees. New snowfall reports have come in:

  • 2" at Valle Crucis in Watauga County, NC
  • Lancaster County storm watcher reports 20 minutes of snowfall but without accumulations

5:50 PM: Alexander County Schools and Lincoln County Schools will operate on a three hour delay Friday. See the full list on wcnc.com/closings 

5:40 PM: Anson County Schools have announced a closure for Friday. See the full list on wcnc.com/closings 

5:33 PM:  Snow totals as of 5:15 PM

  • 2" Burke County
  • 1.7" Boone, NC
  • 1" Caldwell County
  • 1" Asheboro, NC
  • .05" Iredell County
  • .05 Albemarle, NC
  • .05" Rockwell, NC
  • .02" Matthews, NC

5:30 PM: The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg says confidence remains high for a black ice threat overnight.

5:21 PM:  Medic says they have responded to 47 traffic accidents so far since midnight.  All day Thursday, they responded to a total of 46 accidents.  

5:15 PM: With snow already beginning to stick on grassy surfaces in Charlotte, the air temperature is nearing the freezing mark: 34 degrees reported at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. 

5:02 PM:  Temperatures are dropping quickly and Brad Panovich says that's a concern.  "Temperatures are dropping a little bit quicker than I anticipated and I think we're going to start to see temperatures hover right around freezing a little bit sooner than midnight."

4:47 PM: More area school districts are announcing delays for Friday.  Complete list here.

4:32 PM:  Every county in North Carolina, all 100, is under a Winter Weather Advisory or a Winter Storm Warning.  "We don't see that very often. That means this is a widespread event.  But it's not a huge event.  In the grand scheme of things, the totals here are going to be an inch to maybe three inches in some of the isolated locations.  Our average snowfall for the winter is 4.3 inches," Brad Panovich said.

4:02 PM: As of 4PM the rain/snow line was from Monroe to Rock Hill down into Union, South Carolina all the way north through Hickory.  "It's all snow mixing with rain at times, but it's not all making it to the ground.  We're seeing a little bit of melting on the ground," said Brad Panovich.  "I expect heavy snow will develop between now and 8PM."

3:53 PM:  Text a picture or video of snow in your neighborhood to 704-329-3600.  Include your name and location.

3:41 PM: Brad Panovich says snow is starting to move into the area. "By 6 PM and 7 PM we're going to be seeing some pretty heavy snow.  And it's going to be coming down like crazy.  It's going to be sticking to rooftops, grassy surfaces, but the road surface temperature is around 40 degrees right now.  It's going to melt on the surface of the roads.  If it falls fast enough it certainly could overcome that warm temperature and accumulate briefly.  Just take it easy and drive slow.  But as we go into the overnight hours and these temperatures drop, that's when you're going to have some issues." 

Credit: WCNC
Forecasted low temperatures Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020.

3:34 PM:  It's starting to snow in Bessemer City. The rain/snow line is right along Interstate 85

3:21 PM:  Winter Weather driving tips from the NC Highway Patrol:

  • Don't drive in snow and ice unless you have to
  • Reduce your speed
  • Keep the gas tank full
  • Leave a lot of room between you and other vehicles
  • Approach bridges and overpasses with caution
  • Keep basic items on hand:  Ice scraper, jumper cables, blankets, flashlight, first aid kit, road map
  • If you start to slide, take your foot off the gas pedal

3:15 PM:  Some area school districts have already announced delays for Friday.  Complete list here.

2:58 PM:  The Salisbury Fire Department loaded trucks up with ice melt and they have chainsaws ready if needed. They say this is a level 1 storm and they’re expecting a few crashes on roadways, but they're hoping people will stay off the roads overnight and tomorrow morning when black ice is expected

2:49 PM:  The North Carolina Zoo will operate on a 3-hour delay, opening at Noon on Friday, Feb. 21. 

2:23 PM:  Here is what the radar looks like for snow in the Charlotte area through midnight.

2:21 PM: The Boone area is expected to receive 2-4 inches of snow.

2:18 PM:  It's snowing in Gaston County, according to Brad Panovich, and the snow is moving east. 

2:04 PM:  NCDOT in the Charlotte area has not treated any roads yet due to rain.  The current pavement temperatures are warm and roads are not expected to accumulate snow.  "Pavement temperatures are warm.  Hopefully overnight it won't freeze."  Road temperatures won't be low enough for snow to accumulate on the pavement, but crews will begin treating the roads later tonight.  

1:34 PM:  Both the Men’s Shelter of Charlotte/Urban Ministry Center and the Salvation Army Center of Hope will implement a no-turn-away policy for eligible individuals seeking shelter. Additional mats will be available at the Men’s Shelter. The 1210 N. Tryon Campus is available 24 hours per day, while the 3410 Statesville Ave campus will be available from 4 p.m. – 10 a.m. The Urban Ministry Center Day Services Center located on 945 N. College St. will open at 7 a.m. on Feb. 21 and 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22 and Sunday, Feb. 23. The Salvation Army Center of Hope is expanding its bed capacity and is open 24 hours per day. 

Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) buses will transport individuals to either of the two Men’s Shelter locations (1210 N. Tryon St and 3410 Statesville Ave.), or the Salvation Army Center of Hope (534 Spratt St.) free of charge Thursday through Saturday during the day. Riders must simply identify a shelter location to the driver.    

1:21 PM: As of 1 PM, snow is occurring across the southern Appalachians and is starting to move into the Piedmont, according to the National Weather Service.

1:18 PM:  Staff at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport is monitoring the winter weather and is prepared to implement winter weather operations if needed.  Passengers are urged to check flight stats. 

12:43 AM:  If you're concerned about road conditions, Brad Panovich says he doesn't anticipate travel issued until late tonight.

11:45 AM: Heavy snow is falling in Asheville, North Carolina as the winter storm moves east toward Charlotte.

10:30 AM:  Changes to the forecast as of 10 AM from Brad Panovich:

  • Every single county in North Carolina is under a Winter Weather Advisory or Winter Storm Warning.  This doesn't happen very often.  "This is a pretty unique event."
  • Burst of sleet moved through Matthews in the morning, but heavier precipitation is off to the west
  • "It might take a little bit longer for the rain to change over to snow.  I think it's going to be more in the 3PM to 4PM time frame," says Panovich.
  • By 6PM the Charlotte area will be a pretty big changeover to snow.  "That's a good thing and a bad thing.  It gives you more time to plan and kids can get home," Panovich said.  But because it's happening closer to sunset it probably means it has a better chance to stick.  It's definitely going to be colder after sunset.
  • Watch Brad's full winter weather update

10:22 AM:  Due to winter weather, Grandfather Mountain is closed Thursday and will reopen Friday weather permitting.

10:07 AM:  As of 7 AM 403 trucks and 955 employees have put out 305,000 gallons of salt brine across the state, says Tim Little of the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

10:05 AM:  The State Emergency Response Team will activate at 1 PM. NCDOT and the NC National Guard and others will be on hand to assist.  Significant icing is not expected with this winter storm so there shouldn't be any major issues with power outages.

10 AM:  "Don't let the temperature right now fool you...It's going to get colder tonight," Gov. Cooper said.  As of 10 a.m. 29 school districts are closed Thursday and 55 are on early release across the state.  

9:55 AM: Gov. Roy Cooper is set to hold a press briefing on the winter storm moving into North Carolina. Can't see the video? Click here to watch live.

9:07 AM:  As conditions change throughout the day, download the WCNC app 

6:48 AM: Several schools are closed today or are dismissing early.  Complete list

RELATED: With sleet, black ice forecasted, Carolinians urged to stay home or drive with caution

6:39 AM:  North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper tweets a message urging everyone to be prepared for winter weather. Cooper will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. with the latest on state preparations. 

6:30 AM: Mecklenburg and surrounding counties are under a Winter Weather Advisory from 10AM-midnight.  County-by-county weather statements or text CLOSINGS to 704-329-3600

6:05 AM: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced all schools will dismiss three hours early.  All after-school activities are cancelled.

RELATED: Panovich: 1-2 inches of snow expected Thursday in Charlotte

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