Winter Weather Disrupts Travel and Poses Challenges in the Triad and High Country
Residents in the Triad and High Country woke up to a winter wonderland as approximately 2 inches of sleet and snow blanketed the area from Saturday night into Sunday morning. Although picturesque, the weather conditions have led to concerns about travel safety and flight disruptions.
Jonathan Blaes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, provided some perspective on the silver lining of the situation. “Because sleet and snow is always much better than freezing rain,” Blaes explained. With changes in the air mass, the region is transitioning from snow to sleet, and potentially to freezing rain as the day progresses.
For those planning to hit the roads, Blaes warns that the unseasonably cold temperatures expected over the coming days could exacerbate driving conditions. “Unless those roads are heavily treated and aggressively worked upon, that sleet and snow is not going to go anywhere,” he noted, pointing out that icy patches in shaded areas are likely to persist.
The impact of the weather is also felt at the Piedmont Triad International Airport, where numerous flights have been canceled. According to Blaes, the challenges aren’t with runway maintenance but rather with airline operations. “They are afraid of having their aircraft and their people locked into places and airports where they’re going to get snowed in or stuck,” he mentioned.
Stephanie Freeman from the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority confirmed that while the airport remains operational, many airlines have opted to cancel most of their flights. She advises travelers to verify flight statuses with their respective airlines before heading to the airport.
