Winter storm dumps foot of snow on parts of U.S.
A winter storm that spread ice and snow from Mississippi to Maine is leaving behind cold so bitter that businesses and schools are closing in the South because the region still hasn’t thawed.
Three deaths have been blamed on the storm, which dropped more than a foot of snow in southern New England, caused a former governor to fall on his icy driveway in Mississippi and could bring the first below-zero weather to parts of North Carolina in more than 20 years.
Meanwhile, the West Coast is dealing with the next storm, which brought the potential of a crippling ice storm to western Oregon and heavy rain to California mountains used to seeing snow this time of year. Forecasters warned of possible mudslides and the worst flooding in more than a decade.
In the East, the worst, lingering problems were expected in North Carolina, where up to 10 inches of snow and sleet fell in places Saturday. The deep freeze followed. Forecasters predict temperatures won’t get above freezing in much of the state before Tuesday afternoon.
School systems across the state went ahead early Sunday and cancelled today’s classes in part because of icy roads, but also because of bitter cold temperatures making it dangerous for children without proper clothes to wait for buses and difficult to keep buildings warm.
The National Weather Service predicted lows around zero or below on Monday morning in Greensboro, N. C., — marking only the 15th time in 113 years of records it has gotten to zero or negative numbers. Forecasters said the snow cover would lead to the unusually cold readings.
But when the thaw comes, it will be quick. Highs in the South are forecast in the 70s by Friday.