As North Carolina continues to recover from the recent snowstorm, state officials are actively working to restore normalcy. Efforts to clear roads are in full swing, with Governor Josh Stein urging citizens to exercise caution while traveling.
“We are working around the clock to clear roads and get people back to their daily lives as quickly and safely as possible, but because temperatures will remain low overnight, this process takes time,” said Governor Josh Stein. “We ask for your patience, and if you need to be on the roads this week, I urge you to slow down, give extra distance, and use caution while traveling.”
The weather forecast predicts dry conditions across the state on Monday, with temperatures reaching the upper 30s to lower 40s. This should help melt the snow accumulated over the weekend. However, the melting snow is expected to refreeze overnight, as temperatures drop into the teens and 20s. Tuesday’s temperatures are expected to rise into the low to mid-40s ahead of an approaching cold front.
“Please continue to remain vigilant as we are still experiencing extremely cold temperatures across the state,” said NC Emergency Management Director Will Ray. “As a reminder, several hazards remain, such as the risk of freezing pipes in homes. There are many people in our communities that are especially vulnerable to prolonged cold temperatures, so please check on your friends, family, and neighbors.”
State Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson highlighted the efforts of road crews, saying, “Our crews worked hard to clear most interstates yesterday and are now working on other major and two-lane roads today, but we anticipate the hardest-hit areas will continue to see impacts to the roads in the days to come. Please be patient and give our crews space to work. Conditions vary across the state. We encourage people to avoid driving where snow and ice still cover the roads and to exercise caution and reduce speed when driving.”
Approximately 2,500 NCDOT employees and contractors are engaged in plowing snow and spreading salt on both highways and secondary routes. Since the storm began on Saturday, these teams have already distributed over 23,000 tons of salt and cleared thousands of miles of roads.
While progress is being made, officials caution that dangerous icy spots may persist due to the cold temperatures. Drivers are advised to stay off roads covered in snow and ice and to be aware of black ice, which can form when melted snow refreezes into hard-to-see slippery patches.
Despite a national shortage of road salt and other de-icing supplies, North Carolina’s Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has enough resources to manage the aftermath of this storm. The department is actively working with suppliers to replenish its stockpile for future weather events and is reallocating supplies to areas in need.
Residents are encouraged to visit DriveNC.gov for updates on road conditions and closures. For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov, or follow NCDOT on social media.
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