WILMINGTON – Unusually heavy snow accumulation this weekend and subfreezing temperatures in counties across the region will likely result in black ice over the next several days.
The N.C. Department of Transportation has made significant progress today plowing and salting roads, but snow clearing operations will take multiple days.
Appearing as wet spots on a road, black ice is the result of melting ice and snow that refreezes into thin layers. NCDOT works to treat areas prone to black ice, but various factors can make it unpredictable.
“We ask for your patience as we work to clear roads as quickly as possible. Black ice will be problematic over the next few nights. Please stay home and avoid unnecessary travel,” said Division 3 Engineer Trevor Carroll.
NCDOT uses a combination of trucks equipped with spreaders and plows, as well as motor graders to remove snow and ice from roads.
Crews clear state-maintained roads in priority order beginning with interstates and major highways, then primary routes, and finally secondary routes, focusing on connectivity, traffic volume and routes for emergency services.
Division 3 serves Brunswick, Duplin, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender and Sampson counties.
Drivers are advised to stay off the roads and check DriveNC.gov for road conditions and real-time travel information.