Snow in Charlotte area closes interstates due to wrecks. Stay vigilant, NWS says.
Charlotte-area drivers should remain on alert this week after an overnight snow Tuesday slickened roads and bridges and closed interstates, National Weather Service meteorologists said.
Up to 1.5 inches of snow fell across areas just north and northwest of Charlotte, including Mooresville, as temperatures fell into the 20s, according to a special NWS weather statement.
“Use extra caution if traveling across the area this morning and allow for additional time to reach your destination,” NWS meteorologists said in a special weather statement.
A firefighter was hospitalized early Tuesday after his West Iredell Fire Department truck overturned in wintry weather while responding to wrecks, Charlotte Observer news partner WSOC reported.
The truck crashed on Interstate 40 near the Old Mountain Road exit west of Statesville, according to the station.
Interstate 77 North was closed for about an hour in Mooresville due to a wreck, the N.C. Department of Transportation said on the social media site X.
Drivers were diverted onto I-77 exit 36 after the wreck, which happened just to the north at mile marker 38, according to NCDOT.
The highway reopened just after 9 a.m., but highway officials said drivers should expect “residual” delays.
Wrecks in icy conditions shut highways elsewhere in the state, including both directions of Interstate 73 in Greensboro between I-40 and Friendly Avenue, police said.
Area forecast
A “hard freeze” is likely to linger through Wednesday in the Charlotte-Lake Norman region, according to the National Weather Service.
The temperature was forecast to drop to 21 overnight Tuesday, rebound to 38 overnight Wednesday and plummet again to 22 overnight Thursday and 23 overnight Friday, NWS meteorologists said.
Overnight Saturday, NWS forecasters predict a low at the freezing mark of 32 degrees, before the low is expected to improve to 40 overnight Sunday, according to the NWS.
The NWS forecasts highs of 49 on Wednesday, 54 on Thursday, 43 on Friday, 49 on Saturday, 55 on Sunday and 58 on Monday.
All sunshine is expected through the week, with a 40% chance of rain on Monday, the NWS Charlotte forecast showed.
This story was originally published December 3, 2024 at 9:40 AM.