WS Chronicle

Staff Report

The Winston-Salem Chronicle

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Snow-covered streets and icy bridges greeted commuters this week as remnants of a strong winter storm that began over the weekend continued to affect travel, services and public safety across Winston-Salem and much of North Carolina.

City crews and state transportation workers labored through freezing temperatures to clear snow and ice from major thoroughfares, secondary roads and residential streets — but dangerous conditions persisted well into the workweek. In Winston-Salem, portions of High Point Road and West Eighth Street were temporarily closed due to ice accumulation and vehicle crashes, and police reported multiple stalled and sliding vehicles in treacherous conditions. Local officials warned that black ice and bitter cold would continue to threaten motorists and pedestrians alike.

Icy Roads, Crashes and Continuing Cold

The storm left behind a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain that made travel hazardous across the Piedmont Triad and beyond. In Winston-Salem, crews focused first on main arteries and prioritized routes to hospitals and emergency services, while secondary and residential streets remained slick and slow to clear. Ice-related closures and crashes were reported early in the week, with drivers advised to avoid travel unless necessary.

Statewide, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to hundreds of weather-related incidents, with reports of dozens of crashes in areas outside the Triad during the worst of the storm. Temperatures stayed below freezing for much of the week, causing snow and frozen precipitation to refreeze overnight and creating persistent black-ice hazards on rural and secondary routes.

Governor Josh Stein and emergency management officials urged residents to remain cautious, noting that the storm’s impacts would linger as temperatures cycled above and below freezing. Black ice remained a concern well after snowfall ended, increasing the risk of additional crashes during the morning commute.

Broad Impacts Across the State

Beyond the Triad, icy conditions prompted closures and travel advisories across central and eastern North Carolina. In some forested areas, trails and recreational paths were shut down due to unsafe ice accumulations. Power outages spiked in several counties as lines came down under the weight of ice — though worst-case scenarios were largely avoided.

School systems across the state modified schedules, with remote learning or closures implemented where travel risks were highest. Public transit services in Winston-Salem operated on limited schedules with free snow-route service to prioritize essential trips.

The Cost of Clearing Snow and Ice

While city and state officials have not yet released final figures related to this latest storm’s cleanup expenditures, winter weather events can carry significant financial costs. Nationwide, snow and ice removal expenses for states and municipalities run into the billions annually, driven by labor, equipment, salt and brine supplies, overtime and contracted services. According to federal transportation data, the national tab for snow and ice removal can exceed $4 billion per year — a figure local governments factor into public works planning.

In North Carolina, past storms have cost the Department of Transportation $20 million to $30 million per event in snow-fighting costs, including brine, salt and overtime — underscoring the economic strain winter storms place on state budgets.

Local public works departments also carry winter maintenance budgets that are often stretched thin during heavy snow and ice. While individual cost figures for Winston-Salem’s response to this week’s storm are still being tallied, similar municipalities routinely spend tens of thousands of dollars per event on plowing, ice treatment and cleanup.

What’s Ahead

Meteorologists warn that lingering cold later this week could prolong icy road conditions, especially if daytime thawing is followed by nighttime refreeze cycles. Drivers are urged to stay updated on conditions at DriveNC.gov, and to prepare for continued winter weather advisories from the National Weather Service.

City and state crews will remain on the roads to treat and clear surfaces as temperatures rise — and fall — through the weekend.