Freezing rain falling in parts of SC as storm moves through

However, up into Rock Hill and Charlotte, there exists the possibility of up to a half-inch of ice accumulation.

“Last year was a disaster”, she said, adding that coming from MA, she’s not too concerned about the winter weather and doesn’t need a food run. Crews began working 12-hour shifts Thursday to pre-treat roads especially in the mountains and north of I-85, transportation department spokesman Pete Poore said. Friday morning it opened a limited operations emergency center.

Abbeville and Greenwood Counties are under a winter weather advisory until 7 p.m. Saturday.

While a winter storm watch is in effect for much of central North Carolina, the National Weather Service suggests there’s another worry beyond the prospect for frozen precipitation. At Raleigh-Durham International Airport, more than 200 flights have been canceled for Friday.

“Roads are expected to become snow and ice-covered early Friday, creating hazardous travel conditions”, the weather service said.

He also said he and other state officials will try to coordinate with public and private employers in different parts of the state about when their workers should head home on Friday. Up to 4 inches of snow is possible with up to a half inch of ice.

Duke Energy reported online that less than a 150 of its almost 300,000 customers in northern SC were without power Friday morning.

“We are very fortunate in North Carolina to have such a seasoned group of professionals with a proven track record serving in our emergency response team”, said North Carolina Emergency Management Director Mike Sprayberry.

Snow was falling from Boone and Asheville to Greensboro and Raleigh early Friday.

The biggest traffic impact from the storm was expected to come during the evening commute, when snow could accumulate on some roadways. In 2015, almost 2 feet of rain fell in two days in parts of SC, causing historic flooding.

The forward edge of a major winter storm poised was poised to enter North Carolina, with the National Weather Service saying areas forecast to get deep snow and ice should prepare for downed trees and power lines, prolonged power outages and impassable roads for an extended period.

Forecasters say snow, sleet and freezing rain is possible in the mountains of Greenville, Oconee and Pickens counties.

The forward edge of the storm moved into the state before sunrise.