ASHEVILLE (AP) ó A surprise snowfall in western North Carolina forced state troopers to close a portion of Interstate 40 on Friday morning until highway crews could spread salt on the roadway.
Authorities said eastbound lanes of the interstate were closed near the Haywood-Buncombe county line while crews worked on the road between mile markers 33 and 37. The stretch of interstate winds through mountains.
Traffic was detoured until the road conditions improved.
The snow wasnít included in earlier weather forecasts for Buncombe County, but forecasters said accumulations up to 3 inches were expected at higher elevations along the North Carolina-Tennessee border.
Authorities said police responded to dozens of wrecks.
A truck jackknifed and rescue crews took the driver to a hospital. Police said the truck spilled some diesel fuel, but not enough to be considered dangerous.
The city of Asheville delayed bus service until the weather cleared. Schools in Asheville and other mountain counties closed for the day.
Elsewhere in North Carolina, a light snowfall forced two-hour delays in school opening in at least the two counties that include Greensboro and Winston-Salem.
The National Weather Service issued a winter weather advisory for eight counties in western North Carolina.
A wind advisory also was issued for several mountain counties and forecasters said wind chills could hit between zero and five below zero during the morning.