Governor Josh Stein has urged North Carolina residents to remain cautious on the roads following a snowstorm that impacted much of the state over the weekend. Although snowfall is expected to end by mid-morning, hazardous road conditions are likely to persist for several days due to lingering snow and extremely cold temperatures.
“While the storm has passed, the snow remains and our roads will remain dicey in the days ahead,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Please continue to avoid unnecessary travel and use caution if you must drive. I’m thankful for all the NCDOT employees and contractors working across North Carolina to clear the roads and keep people safe.”
The National Weather Service forecasts that gusty winds will continue throughout Sunday, with inland areas experiencing gusts up to 30 mph, while coastal regions could see gusts as high as 60 mph. Temperatures are expected to reach only into the 20s and low 30s during the day, with wind chills dropping into single digits or below zero overnight.
Coastal areas face additional risks from strong winds combined with higher than normal tides, which may cause moderate to significant flooding and ocean overwash through this morning. Some locations along North Carolina Highway 12—particularly Hatteras and Ocracoke islands—could become impassable at high tide due to flooding.
NC Emergency Management Chief of Staff Don Campbell advised residents: “Please continue to stay off the roadways today to let first responders, the NCDOT, the State Highway Patrol, and the North Carolina National Guard safely operate. If you must travel, make sure you have a disaster supply kit in your vehicle, which includes blankets, extra clothing, food, water, a flashlight, an ice scraper, and a way to charge your cell phone. And slow down.”
State officials reported that significant snow accumulation has made travel dangerous in many areas—a situation likely to persist because of ongoing cold weather.
“Yesterday, there were a lot of people across North Carolina who were driving in very dangerous conditions, which led to a significant number of crashes and cars stuck on the roads,” said State Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson. “If you do have to drive, slow down and give our teams and other first responders lots of distance.”
Since Saturday morning’s heavy snowfall began affecting various regions—including Piedmont, mountain areas, coastal zones—NCDOT crews have been working statewide. By Sunday morning they had spread more than 15,000 tons of salt on major routes while continuing plowing operations using trucks equipped with spreaders and plows as well as motor graders for difficult stretches. Over 2,500 NCDOT employees and contractors have been involved in these efforts.
The Department of Transportation is focusing first on clearing interstates and major highways before moving on to secondary routes. Officials expect it will take several days for snow-clearing operations due both to persistent daytime cold and subfreezing nighttime temperatures.
Residents seeking updates about road closures or current conditions can visit DriveNC.gov for real-time information or follow NCDOT’s social media channels.
