By Mark Wineka
mwineka@salisburypost.com
Rowan County entered this morning under a winter storm warning, bracing for the new year’s first measurable snowfall and some freezing rain to top it off.
Rowan-Salisbury Schools were canceled for today.
“It’s going to be pretty interesting,” promised Andrew Kimball, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service office in Greer, S.C.
Snow was expected to begin falling as early as daybreak today, and Kimball said the highest “snow rate” would happen around midday to early afternoon.
Later, the precipitation probably will change to a freezing rain or freezing drizzle, tapering off early Tuesday morning.
Kimball said Salisbury could see about 4 inches of snow. Northern sections of Rowan County may not see that much, as the weather system tracks in from the south.
Ice is the real “x” factor in today’s storm.
Kimball predicted only a tenth-of-an-inch of ice will form a light glaze over the snow. But should it turn out to be more than a thin film — and heavier — it could cause power outages and problems for utility workers as limbs and trees fall on onto lines.
As always, the ice and snow pose safety concerns for motorists. The N.C. State Highway Patrol says the motoring public should call “511” for updates on road conditions.
School officials made the decision Sunday night that schools would be closed today.
Kimball said he’s afraid the week will be a repeating pattern of freeze-thaw, freeze-thaw, until temperatures start rising by the weekend.
Temperatures will top out around freezing today and be in the upper 20s tonight. Tuesday’s high is expected around 34, with lows Tuesday night again in the 20s.
Kimball said an arctic high coming in behind the snow and ice means temperatures will be “way below normal” for much of the week.
Contact Mark Wineka at 704-797-4263. Have a cancellation because of the weather? E-mail that information to news@salisburypost.com.