ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Enjoy any sunshine we get today because a change is coming.

A quick shot of snow, with some wintry mix possible, is expected Wednesday, the National Weather Service said. Snow accumulations are expected to be light, but may be enough to cause slippery roads.

A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 6 a.m. Wednesday to noon Thursday for Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Haywood, Henderson, Graham, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania and Yancey counties.

The National Weather Service said mixed precipitation is expected with snow accumulations of up to 3 inches and a light glaze of ice accumulations possible. Winds
are also part of the forecast with gusts as high as 40 mph expected.

On Tuesday morning, Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency as emergency officials prepare for winter weather to impact the majority of the state.

“This morning, I declared a state of emergency across North Carolina, and we are activating a cross-agency storm response,” Stein said in a news release. “Most of North Carolina will be impacted by this storm, and our greatest concerns are potential power outages and road safety. We urge all travelers to stay off the road once the storm hits on Wednesday, to keep their devices charged, and to monitor local weather.”

“The State Emergency Response Team has been activated and is working with the Department of Transportation, North Carolina National Guard, State Highway Patrol, Department of Health and Human Services, and local emergency management to provide resources quickly throughout the state,” Director of Emergency Management Will Ray said in the release. “We ask that all North Carolinians continue to monitor the weather tomorrow and stay off the roads when possible.”

The North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) has activated more than 180 guardsmen to assist and support local communities across the state.

More than 1,500 employees with the N.C. Department of Transportation have been pre-treating roads across the state. As of Tuesday morning, the agency had spread 1.8 million gallons of brine to pretreat hundreds of miles of interstates, highways, and secondary roads statewide. Nearly 600 trucks with plows and spreaders and 240 motor graders are ready to remove snow and ice, and more than 130,000 tons of salt are ready to treat roads after the storm hits.

Once the storm hits, NCDOT crews are prepared to work around-the-clock in shifts to plow and treat snow and ice until all state-maintained roads are cleared. The agency will prioritize clearing interstates first, followed by U.S. and N.C. routes and then secondary roads.

Visit ReadyNC.gov for power outage information and for information on how you and your family can prepare for winter weather.

To prepare for winter weather, North Carolina Emergency Management officials recommend these tips:

  • Pay close attention to your local forecast and be prepared for what’s expected in your area. Use a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio or a weather alert app on your phone to receive emergency weather alerts.
  • Stock up on water and non-perishable food.
  • Keep cell phones, mobile devices, and spare batteries charged.
  • Stay home and off the roads if you can.
  • Store an emergency kit in your vehicle in case you must travel. Include scraper, jumper cables, tow chain, sand/salt, blankets, flashlight, first-aid kit, and road map.
  • Dress warmly if you go outside. Wear multiple layers of thin clothing instead of a single layer of thick clothing.
  • Gather emergency supplies for your pet including leash and feeding supplies, enough food for several days, and a pet travel carrier.
  • Do not leave pets outside for long periods of time during freezing weather.
  • Check on your friends and neighbors, especially the elderly, during winter weather.

If your power goes out:

  • Only operate generators outside and away from open windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Never burn charcoal indoors or use a gas grill indoors.
  • Properly vent kerosene heaters.
  • Use battery-powered sources for light, instead of candles, to reduce the risk of fire.
  • If you are utilizing a portable heater, make sure that it is properly ventilated, has at least 3 feet of space on all sides, and never leave children unattended near a heater.

 

The forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

  • Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 28. North wind 3 to 6 mph.
  • Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of snow, mainly after 8 a.m. Patchy fog between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 38. East-southeast wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon.
  • Wednesday night: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Light north-northwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the evening.
  • Thursday: A 20 percent chance of snow showers before 8 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 27. Northwest wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
  • Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 12.
  • Friday: Sunny, with a high near 42.

The snow Wednesday is expected to quickly spread east, where several other advisories have been issued.

The National Weather Service has also issued an Airport Weather Warning for Charlotte Douglas International Airport for 6 a.m. Wednesday to noon Thursday.