Temperatures head above freezing, warm up on the way | Live Updates

It's not every day that eastern North Carolina communities see more snow than Raleigh and Durham, but walking around downtown Goldsboro on Tuesday night the rarity of a winter storm was very apparent.

"We get a couple of inches of snow and everything shuts down. Everybody's outside playing, or cuddling up by the fireplace," said Jannah Bond, who works at Bicycle World downtown.

While crews worked to keep pace with the snow, business owners, like Jannah's boss Mike Wiggins, said they were bracing for issues come Wednesday morning.

"People laugh at us for shutting down for 2, 3 inches of snow but if we've got 4 snowplows, you go to Ohio and they've got 400 or whatever. So it's based on how quickly they can clear the roads," Wiggins said.

School administrators across central North Carolina closely track severe weather conditions as they prepare to make decisions on whether to hold classes

State law mandates schools to operate for a certain number of days or hours, a point school officials track as decisions are made surrounding school closures, delays, and early dismissals.

"Delays and closing of school is a really big decision for school districts to have to do," said Tamika Walker Kelly, who serves as NCAE President.

Kelly, who has spent seventeen years in public education, pointed to severe weather conditions, coupled with the presence of natural disasters, to highlight the importance of further support towards school buildings.

Andy Jenks, the Chief Communications Officer for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, said they're in touch with town, county, and state officials to learn more about the conditions.

"We're monitoring the forecast, but also trying to see how this plays out over the next day or two. What will the condition of roadways be? What about walkways or sidewalks to and from school and all of the facility details that go into having school be safe for students, staff and families," said Jenks.

WATCH | School administrators on what factors into the 'decision'

During a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Governor Josh Stein urged people to avoid being on the roadways Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning as road conditions would be slick.

"One unfortunate reality of living in North Carolina is we have a lot of bad weather and when we have that weather, it gives us the experience to know what we need to do in anticipation of the storm," said Stein.

The governor delivered remarks from the North Carolina National Guard Armory in Greensboro while on his way to Western North Carolina.

The governor also praised NCDOT and other responders for being well-positioned to address the incoming weather.

WATCH | Josh Stein updates winter weather plan

Wake County Public Schools added their name to the list of schools that are closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22 due to winter weather and road conditions.

Durham Public Schools closed Wednesday.

List of schools who have entered their information in the ABC11 closing system

Schools closings, early dismissals and delays

• Wake County Schools: CLOSED Wednesday

• Durham Public Schools: CLOSED Wednesday for students and staff

• Cumberland County Schools: CLOSED Wednesday

• Wayne County Public Schools: CLOSED Wednesday