NORFOLK (VA) — Schools have cancelled classes in the Carolinas and Virginia. Authorities are urging motorists to avoid potentially icy roads due to forecasts of snow, sleet, and freezing rain.
Before the latest winter storm system that swept through the region on Thursday, the governors of North Carolina and South Carolina declared states of emergency. A round of snow is expected to follow Friday night into Saturday. According to the National Weather Service, the winter blast could cause ice to form in large areas of eastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina. It will also dump snow on Norfolk, Virginia.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin declared an emergency on Thursday. It will continue to be in effect until Saturday. His executive order gives him greater flexibility to mobilize people and resources in response.
Youngkin released a statement saying that he urged Virginians “to monitor their local weather forecasts” and to take safety precautions to protect their family’s safety. Youngkin urged residents to avoid roads in hazardous conditions.
North Carolina Governor. Midweek, Roy Cooper declared a state emergency in North Carolina. He was waiting for the second storm to strike the state. To prepare for the storm, 114 National Guard troops had been deployed to central and eastern North Carolina in preparation to move to the affected areas. He warned that ice accumulations could lead to extended power outages, and temperatures could drop below freezing within the next few days.
He said that he was more worried about this one as it will be so cold on Friday and Saturday nights, and that if there are power outages then we are worried about families who aren’t able to stay warm.”
South Carolina’s Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency. Henry McMaster, the South Carolina governor, also declared a state emergency. Schools and government offices in Charleston and other areas that don’t receive much snow were closed or announced reduced hours on Friday. Around sunrise, snow, sleet, and freezing rain were expected to spread across the state. Utilities in the northeastern region of the state warned that major power outages could be possible.
In northeastern South Carolina as well as southeastern North Carolina was issued an ice storm warning. Rain was expected to change into mixed precipitation, which includes freezing rain. Before Sunday, the area could see up to a quarter of an inch (0.6 cm) of ice.
The threat of snow in eastern Virginia and North Carolina on Thursday was likely to be followed by snowfall Friday night through Saturday morning. According to the National Weather Service, some areas could see 3 to 5 inches (8-13 centimeters) snow. Some areas in Norfolk could get more than 5 inches (13 cm) of snow.
Perquimans County school officials in northeastern North Carolina noted the rareness of snow in the region when they announced that schools would close on Friday. Forecasters predicted that the area would see snow accumulations of several inches.
According to the school district’s website, “It isn’t often that we get snow in Northeastern NC. We hope this will be an opportunity that you and your children can enjoy together.” Enjoy the snow! Stay safe and warm.
New Hanover County Schools announced that Friday athletics, after-school activities, and classes would be cancelled in Wilmington, North Carolina. The weather forced Brunswick County to cancel all classes Friday.
Virginia Beach, to the north of Virginia, also cancelled after-school activities and switched to an asynchronous Friday schedule. Norfolk Public Schools cancelled class due to the snow forecast and added the warning: “Keep Safe!”