Live updates: Over 200,000 without power as heavy snow, ice pounds Carolinas and Virginia
Heavy overnight snowfall made driving challenging for this police car in Lubbock, Texas on Dec. 8. The city received around 8 inches of snow.
As of 1:34 p.m. EDT, this story is no longer being updated. For continued live updates of the snowstorm, click here.
A major, travel-disrupting storm is unleashing snow and ice from Tennessee to North Carolina and Virginia.
AccuWeather meteorologists say the heaviest snowfall with this storm is expected from the southern Appalachians into the western Piedmont of North Carolina and southern Virginia. Snowfall amounts of 12-18 inches are expected, especially in the mountains of North Carolina with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 24 inches.
Travel will likely be completely halted in these regions until roads have been cleared.
Even though the worst of the storm will have passed by Monday, schools may be closed early this week due to poor road conditions.
Download the free AccuWeather app to know when the rain and snow will start in your area.
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12:59 p.m. EST Sunday:
The City of Charlotte announced that it will operate on a two-hour delay on Monday, with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center opening to the public at 10 a.m.
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11:15 a.m. EST Sunday:
There have been over 500 collisions and over 1,000 service calls across North Carolina so far today, according to North Carolina Highway Patrol. Officials continue to urge people to stay at home until conditions improve.
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10:02 a.m. EST Sunday:
Deicing operations are underway at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Over 1,000 flights have been canceled at the airport.
Elsewhere in Charlotte, a train on the Charlotte Area Transit System is stuck due to icing.
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9:25 a.m. EST Sunday:
Heavy, wet snow is causing tree limbs to sag and snap, which could cause property damage and power outages through Sunday.
The weight of heavy snow on powerlines contributed to this power pole snapping in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo: Durham Sheriff)
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9:05 a.m. EST Sunday:
Flight delays and cancellations are mounting across the eastern US due to the major winter storm with all American Airlines and Southwest Airlines flights out of Raleigh-Durham International Airport being canceled.
While the storm unloads heavy snow across the region's interior, rough surf is causing coastal flooding and some additional travel disruptions.
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7:50 a.m. EST Sunday:
The sun is rising in North Carolina and residents are waking up to snow-covered roads.
Travel conditions have deteriorated overnight with authorities telling people to avoid driving unless absolutely necessary.
Roads are treacherous around Durham, North Carolina. Several roads are closed with local police telling people to stay at home and off the roads if at all possible. (Photo/DurhamPolice).
Some spots in the mountains of western North Carolina have already picked up over a foot of snow with more accumulation expected today.
Up to 16 inches has already fallen near Waynesville, North Carolina. (Photo: D.K. Wall)
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6:45 a.m. EST Sunday
Power outages have increased to over 160,000 customers in the Carolinas, according to poweroutage.us.
If you're driving and come to an intersection where the lights are out, remember to treat it like a four-way stop.
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6:05 a.m. EST Sunday
Some of the highest snowfall totals so far in North Carolina include 13 inches in Translyvania, 9 inches in Haywood and Polk, 5 inches in Kernersville and 4.8 inches in Purnell. Snow continues to fall in these areas.
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5:10 a.m. EST Sunday
As heavy snow pummels North Carolina, ice continues to cause problems in Tennessee and is now expanding into Kentucky.
In Scottsville, Kentucky, trees are reportedly beginning to sag underneath the weight of the ice.
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4:30 a.m. EST Sunday
Over 85,000 customers are without power in North Carolina, with around 35,000 people without power in northwestern South Carolina, according to poweroutage.us.
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3:45 a.m. EST Sunday
The National Weather Service office in Raleigh, North Carolina, has picked up 1.3 inches of snow since it began falling around 1:30 a.m. EST Sunday.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport is currently reporting 0.5 of a mile visibility.
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3:30 a.m. EST Sunday
Snow is picking up in intensity across southern Virginia, with roadways quickly becoming snowcovered and treacherous.
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3:00 a.m. EST Sunday
While ice is winding down in Arkansas at this hour, slippery patches are lingering on the roadways.
Anyone heading out to church or running errands on Sunday morning will need to use extreme caution on the roadways.
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2:00 a.m. EST Sunday
Snow has begun falling in Raleigh, North Carolina, with 3-6 inches expected to accumulate by Sunday night. This amount could be higher if little sleet and freezing rain mixes in.
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1:35 a.m. EST Sunday
Nearly 40,000 customers are without power in North Carolina as heavy snow and ice falls, according to poweroutage.us. Most of the outages are in southwestern portions of the state, where some of the highest snow totals have been reported.
The number of power outages is expected to rise throughout Sunday as the storm continues to pound the area.
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12:50 a.m. EST Sunday
Snow is picking up in intensity across central North Carolina, with visibility down to 1.5 miles in Winston-Salem.
In Charlotte, snow continues to fall with visibility reduced to 0.75 of a mile.
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11:55 p.m. EST Saturday
As snow ramps up in western North Carolina, sleet and freezing rain continues to lead to treacherous travel across north-central Arkansas and western Tennessee.
Little Rock, Arkansas, has switched over to freezing rain in the past hour, potentially leading to slick spots developing on the roadways.
In Pemiscot County, Missouri, a county official reported that a tractor trailer jackknifed on Interstate 55.
Amtrak has announced cancellations due to the winter storm.
"Due to a winter storm expected to impact Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, Amtrak is canceling trains and modifying service beginning Saturday, Dec. 8, through Tuesday, Dec. 11," a statement on Twitter read.
Click here for a complete list of cancellations.
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11:15 p.m. EST Saturday
As much as 5-7 inches of snow has already fallen in southwestern portions of North Carolina as a major storm ramps up.
The snow is leading to deteriorating road conditions, including as far south as Greenville, South Carolina.
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10:40 p.m. EST Saturday
Traffic is starting to build around Asheville, North Carolina, as snow accumulates on the roadways. Motorists are advised to stay off the roads this weekend because there can be slippery travel.
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10:00 p.m. EST Saturday
Pickens County, South Carolina, roads are covered with snow. Road conditions will continue to deteriorate throughout the night as more snow falls.
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8:30 p.m. EST Saturday
Road conditions are starting to deteriorate across portions of North Carolina as temperatures drop and snow sticks.
Snow conditions in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. (Image via MrandMrsBS1)
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6:40 p.m. EST Saturday
Duke Energy has positioned crews around the Asheville, North Carolina, area in preparation for the storm. Asheville may receive a foot or more of snow.
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5:00 p.m. EST Saturday
There will also be a band of very heavy snow to the north of the icing region. The heaviest snowfall with this storm is expected from the southern Appalachians into the western Piedmont of North Carolina and southwestern Virginia.
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12:00 p.m. EST Friday
The North Carolina Department of Transportation has prepared for the storm by anti-icing roads.
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5:00 p.m. EST Friday
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has declared a state of emergency and is urging residents to prepare for the winter storm.
“North Carolina is gearing up for a major winter storm and we’re taking all steps necessary to have the resources we need in place to respond,” Governor Cooper said. “Snow may be beautiful but it can also be treacherous and I urge North Carolinians to take this storm seriously and get ready for it now.”
Emergency management officials said they were monitoring the storm's development closely to help ensure counties are prepared.
The North Carolina National Guard has also been activated to assist with the storm response.
Crews are preparing roads across North Carolina for the approaching winter weather by applying anti-icing materials on some highways.
(Photo: North Carolina Emergency Management)
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8:30 p.m. EST Thursday
People planning to fly to or from airports across the southeastern United States into the weekend may encounter delays or cancellations due to poor weather conditions. Some airlines have already waved re-booking fees if they are affected by the weather.
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