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

ABC11 took a drive around Cary on Wednesday night, where many major roads looked fine, but some of the side streets still had snow on the ground. All it takes is one patch of ice to cause some big problems. And this kind of thing can sneak up on you.

For a quick refresher, ABC11 hit the road with Cary driving instructor David Applewhite from Maintain Your Lane Driving School.

Applewhite said the biggest culprit in North Carolina is people not leaving enough distance between their vehicles.

"If it's ice, I would tell them maybe add a second or two, so, if it's three seconds, at least four to six seconds," Applewhite said.

It wasn't long before those messy ice patches appeared.

"Black ice can be very tricky," Applewhite said. "It looks like a wet road surface."

He said that when you see it, lay off the gas.

"Notice how I take the foot off the accelerator as I go and coast across it," Applewhite said.

But if you do end up slipping and sliding, don't slam on the brakes. And counter to what you might think, don't turn in the other direction.

"I would suggest you to steer into the skid," Applewhite said. "Light taps on the brake and steer into the skid."

And just like he tells his students, patience is a virtue.

"Everyone is running late, so it's very important to plan ahead because you do not know what you're going to run into on the roadway," Applewhite said.

Here's some good advice to stay safe on potentially icy roads.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued two alerts related to the arctic blast, snow and icy roads.

A Winter Weather Advisory issued in central North Carolina went into effect at 6 p.m. Wednesday due to ice on the roads. It is set to expire at 9 a.m. Thursday morning.

A Cold Weather Advisory goes into effect at midnight because of the single-digit temps.

Wednesday night may be the coldest night of the winter. We continue to forecast a low of 13 at RDU, with many outlying areas expected in the single digits amid mainly clear skies, light winds and even a snow cover, according to ABC11 Chief Meteorologist, Don Schwenneker.

There is light at the end of the tunnel! Temperatures could reach back into the 50s on Sunday for the first time in a week

With temperatures hovering at freezing on Wednesday and a Winter Weather Advisory and a Cold Weather Advisory in effect tonight schools are making the call for Thursday. Any snow that melted Wednesday will create dangerous black ice tonight and Thursday morning.

This has led some schools to be closed or classes will be remote.

• The Wake County Public School System said all classes are canceled for students.

• Durham Public Schools: Closed Thursday

• Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools: Thursday will be a remote learning day.

Check full list here

A car slid off the road Wednesday and landed in an embankment along a creek in Fuquay-Varina.

It happened on Banks Road right near Bank Haven Court.

According to authorities, the driver was able to crawl out of the vehicle. They sustained no injuries.

NCDOT urges people to stay off the roads if possible. Here are some safety tips when driving in winter weather:

• Use windshield wipers and turn on the low-beam headlights
• Check your tire pressure and battery power because the colder temperatures cause the pressure and power to drop
• Defrost windows
• Reduce speed and increase following distance to allow more time to stop
• If you start to slide, take your foot off the gas and do not slam on the brakes. Steer in the direction of the skid
• Watch for shady spots, bridges and overpasses because they will be the first to freeze as the temperatures drop
• When starting or stopping on snowy or icy roads, increase or decrease your speed slowly. This will help tires keep traction with the road.
• Do not use cruise control.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full at all times to prevent moisture from freezing the lines
• Carry a stocked emergency kit