Assuming that you’ve already been to the store and bought your milk, bread and very expensive eggs, it will be a very good weekend for you to stay indoors starting on the afternoon of Friday, Jan. 10 and staying there until things clear up.
While this will not be a massive winter weather event that cripples the Triad, local authorities are warning that it does bring real danger and people should remain home if they can.
Last week the Greensboro area got somewhat blindsided by a winter storm, one that wasn’t bad, but one that was worse than predicted. Therefore, it caught some people out and about on the roads when they should not have been.
Local authorities are attempting to make sure that the coming winter weather event, which will hit Greensboro sometime in the afternoon on January 10, is being taken seriously by area residents.
The winter weather warning for central North Carolina, including Guilford County, states that the warning will remain in effect from 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10 until at least 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan 11.
After that, due to freezing temperatures and some sun, the ice is expected to melt and refreeze again – so walking and driving conditions are expected to remain dangerous even after the storm has passed.
Here’s what’s predicted: “Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow and sleet accumulations up to 3 inches and ice accumulations up to two tenths of an inch.”
The impact should be as follows: “Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute.”
The winter storm advisory notes, “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 511… Persons should delay all travel if possible. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility. Make sure your car is winterized and in good working order.”
Former longtime Greensboro Weatherman Eric Chilton, who now works as a spokesperson for the City of Greensboro, told the Rhino Times on Thursday, Jan 9, that, though he’s no longer a weatherman, he has been keeping an eye on the recent winter weather events, and he said that one recent trend seems to be that they often end up being worse than expected.
“It’s like the models keep trending worse,” he said.
Chilton said it sounds like the area will get two to four inches of snow with a layer of ice on top of that.
He said it’s the ice that’s the most worrisome.
“Ice is the culprit,” he said. “You can drive in snow; no one can drive in ice.”
He said another concern is that it has been a while since the Triad has seen a winter storm like this, so people may have become complacent and forgotten how dangerous this type of weather can be.
Chilton added that, fortunately, the City of Greensboro has been proactive and city crews have been putting down brine on major roadways for days.
The City of Greensboro’s Transportation Department crews began treating all Priority 1 and Priority 2 roads on Wednesday, Jan. 8, and Thursday, Jan. 9.
City officials also alerted residents that motorists will notice brine trucks operating throughout the city from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on each of those days.
They added, “It is important to note that brine will not be applied to neighborhood streets. The focus remains on ensuring major roads are treated to improve safety and mobility during inclement weather.”
Piedmont Triad International Airport will remain open this weekend, but airport officials warn that some flights may be canceled and, therefore, flyers need to double check before heading to the airport.
According to airport officials, passengers planning to depart from PTI Airport during the next several days should call their airline before leaving home to ensure their flight has not been delayed or cancelled.
“The airport will remain open throughout this severe weather event,” said Kevin Baker, the airport’s executive director. “However, airlines may cancel flights because of the storm’s system-wide impacts in the storm path.”
PTI Airport snow crews will be on duty and will work “around the clock” to keep the Airport up and running throughout the storm and its aftermath.
A press release from PTI warns, “If conditions deteriorate significantly, vehicular access to the building’s upper (departures/ticketing) level curbsides may be closed. In this case, all vehicles will be routed to the terminal’s lower (arrivals) level, better protected from the weather.”
Airport officials also note that passengers should be aware that the top level of the parking deck is closed. Those who wish to park at the airport should enter the parking deck at the lower level.
Airport roads will be maintained throughout the weather event, airport officials said, but passengers should use appropriate caution and drive carefully both at the Airport and on their way to and from the Airport.
“Please be safe,” Baker admonished.
Things will change for those who use Guilford County transportation as well.
Due to impending inclement weather, Guilford County Transportation and Mobility Services will be operating on a modified schedule. If someone has questions about changes, they can call the service at 336-641-2561 or visit guilfordcountync.gov for updates.
