Winter Weather Advisory: Black ice threatens most central North Carolina drivers into Saturday morning

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Saturday, February 22, 2020
First snow storm of 2020 knocks out power, creates traffic problems
First snow storm of 2020 knocks out power, creates traffic problemsA Winter Weather Advisory is in place for much of central North Carolina until Saturday morning after Thursday night's snowfall.

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Winter Weather Advisory is in place for much of central North Carolina until Saturday morning after Thursday night's snowfall.

The first measurable snow in more than a year ended up with most folks seeing 2 to 3 inches on grassy and elevated surfaces. Youngsville saw the most snow at 4 inches.

The snowfall created slick roads, downed trees and caused power outages to much of North Carolina.

Though it was warm most of the day clearing up most snow and ice spots. Temperatures are expected to drop into the low 20s.

Friday morning, ABC11 crews saw multiple crashes along U.S. 70 in Durham likely stemming from black ice.

"Be cautious. Drive slow. Be aware of your surroundings." driver James Roberts said.

One crash on U.S. 70 happened around 6:30 a.m. A car slid off the road, flipped over a guardrail, hit some trees, slid down a snowy hill and landed upside-down. The driver was standing up and talking to first responders as ABC11 crews arrived.

In Raleigh, a driver lost control and crashed into an officer with North Carolina State Capitol Police on Friday morning.

Preliminary information from investigators suggests the officer got out of her car to help other drivers; that's when a car hit her. She was taken to the hospital with a suspected broken leg, but her injuries are not considered life-threatening.

Police shut down Wade Avenue at Edwards Mill Road for over an hour to investigate. Wade has since reopened.

ABC11 crews saw a car slide off the northbound lanes of I-85 in Hillsborough on Thursday night. Friday morning, freezing became a problem on some side roads.