Snow falls; Schools close, open late

Snow was falling across parts of the state early Wednesday. The flakes were part of the advanced bands of a system crossing the central part of the state.

Posted 3:56 p.m. Feb 3, 2009 — Updated 9:12 p.m. Mar 9, 2009

RALEIGH, N.C. — Snow was falling across parts of the state early Wednesday. The flakes were part of the advanced bands of a system stretching from Moore County to northern Hoke County, and then across Harnett, Johnston and Wilson counties.

"Outside of that band, there is not much wintry precipitation going on," WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel said.

If you see snow, be sure to send your photos and video for use on WRAL.com.

The bands rotating around a low-pressure system mean snow could be heavier in some locations than others, WRAL meteorologist Nate Johnson said.

"The earlier projection of 2 to 4 inches of snow across most of the Triangle may have to be shoved even further to the south if current trends continue," Fishel said early Wednesday.

A winter weather advisory is in effect for parts of the state through noon Wednesday. Counties along the North Carolina/Virginia border were under a winter storm warning.

Some organizations have already delayed or canceled openings in anticipation of icy roads Wednesday morning, including the Wake County Public School System which is on a two-hour delay.

“If we have more severe situations (overnight) than the two-hour delay might change,” Michael Evans, a spokesman for the Wake County Public School System, said. “We will see how the roads look in the morning and then go from there."

With temperatures dropping into the mid-20s overnight, Wednesday's morning commute could be trouble," Fishel said.

"By lunch time, the snow is at the coast and we end up with clearing and a mostly cloudy afternoon," WRAL Meteorologist Mike Maze predicted.

Cold temperatures in the mid-30s will keep their hold on central North Carolina Thursday afternoon. But on Friday, temperatures will shoot up, jumping to near or above 60 degrees for several days.

"We'll have very cold weather, at least by North Carolina standards, Wednesday and Thursday. And then, look, bang! 58, 67, 70 (degrees) – just like that," Fishel said.

"What's likely to happen over the next seven days is just bizarre, just nothing short of bizarre," he said.

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