Overview:
• The National Weather Service expects up to 8 inches of snow in Fayetteville on Saturday.
• Previous forecasts anticipated up to 12 inches.
• Residents are advised to stay off the roads, and prepare to hunker down for several days.
Editor’s Note: This story was updated Saturday evening with the latest forecast and an explanation of why far less snow arrived on Saturday than originally expected.
After predicting on Friday that Fayetteville could get up to 12 inches of snow on Saturday, revised to 8 inches on Saturday morning, updated National Weather Service forecasts Saturday evening predict up to 4 inches tonight.
The area remains under local and state winter weather emergencies for the second weekend in a row.
“So last week, our major concern was the ice, and with ice always comes the potential for power outages,” said Amanda Scheck, Cumberland County’s emergency management coordinator, at a news conference on Friday. “This week, we’re not anticipating a lot of ice. What we are anticipating is snow.”
In a forecast issued about 7 p.m. Saturday, the weather service said estimated 2 to 4 inches accumulation Saturday night.
While snow fell across much of North Carolina on Saturday, forecasters said part of the state, including Cumberland County, ended up in a “dry slot” of the ongoing weather system—a zone of dry air where precipitation is less likely. The dry slot is predicted to close Saturday evening, and the snow is expected to follow.
The low temperature overnight is expected to be 16.
Scheck on Friday advised the public to stay off the roads. Wind is a concern, she said, as it could down trees and power lines. The weather service expects winds up to 20 mph winds, with gusts reaching 30 mph.
People should have sufficient food, water, medications and other necessities to last at least three days, she said, plus blankets, batteries, and related items in case of power failures. People with generators should not run them indoors, and space heaters should be positioned to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning and fires.
Many community events and activities scheduled for the weekend have been canceled, and state and local governments have been preparing.
Fayetteville and North Carolina Department of Transportation crews have been treating roads, and salt and sand spreaders will mobilize once precipitation begins, the city said in a social media post.
The Fayetteville Public Works Commission has crews ready to restore utility services as safely and quickly as possible, spokesperson Gavin MacRoberts said via email.
States of Emergency
Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency on Thursday. On Friday, the Cumberland County Board of Commissioners and Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin followed suit.
Some of the effects of the states of emergency:
- North Carolina’s price gouging law is in effect. “Businesses and individuals may not charge prices for goods or services they sell or rent that are unreasonably excessive under the circumstances while the state of emergency is in effect,” according to a news release from state Attorney General Jeff Jackson.
- Colvin may order evacuations, impose curfews, and restrict access to certain areas, according to the city’s state of emergency order.
- The county is opening emergency shelters.
The Salvation Army of the Sandhills is operating a warming center from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and providing meals. It’s at 245 Alexander St. in Fayetteville.
People who need emergency overnight shelter can visit the Salvation Army in Fayetteville and Cornerstone Christian Empowerment Center at 111 N. Bragg Blvd. in Spring Lake.
Some of the closings and delays announced on Friday:
- The PWC Customer Payment center will delay opening on Monday until 10 a.m.
- The Cumberland County Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday is now set for 2 p.m.
- Spring Lake town services will be delayed two hours on Monday, to 10 a.m.
- The Fayetteville Area System of Transit canceled bus service on Saturday and Sunday, and the transit center will be closed.
- Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation facilities and gated parks are closed on Saturday and Sunday.
- Passengers traveling through the Fayetteville Regional Airport should check with their airlines for flight delays, cancellations, and other information.
- Fayetteville Technical Community College canceled all weekend activities starting at 6 p.m. Friday. A decision regarding Monday’s schedule will be made by 2 p.m. Sunday.
Senior reporter Paul Woolverton can be reached at pwoolverton@cityviewnc.com.
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