WRAL Weather Update: Icy Roads Crashes and School Closings Across Triangle

Overnight Snow and Refreezing Turn Triangle Roads Hazardous

A quick-moving winter system brought a light blanket of snow to central and eastern North Carolina Monday evening, but the more serious threat arrived overnight. As temperatures dropped sharply, leftover moisture froze into widespread black ice especially on bridges, ramps, and shaded neighborhood roads.

By sunrise, most of the Triangle remained well below freezing, with pavement temperatures stuck in the low- to mid-20s. WRAL meteorologist Chris Michaels urged caution early: “Even if a road looks wet, assume it’s ice until we’ve spent a few hours above 32 degrees.”

Snowfall totals varied, with only a dusting in southern areas of Johnston and Harnett counties, while northern Wake County  including Wake Forest, Rolesville, and Youngsville saw closer to an inch. Some locations near the Virginia border reported isolated totals approaching 1.5 inches.

Timeline: Major Crashes and Closures Across I-540, I-87, and US-64

Emergency crews, NCDOT teams, and local police were working nonstop as icy patches created dangerous conditions before dawn.

3:53 a.m. — I-87 South shut down at Exit 13 near Knightdale after a tractor-trailer jackknifed on an icy bridge. Troopers confirmed at least five separate crashes along the corridor.

4:19 a.m. — US-264 West near Zebulon temporarily closed for bridge treatment. Around the same time, a pickup on US-64 at Debnam Road slid off the roadway and hit a tree.

5:28 a.m. — Multiple spin-outs reported on I-540 near the Neuse River crossing. Franklin County also reported slick spots on NC-98, US-1 at Green Street, and MC Wilder Road.

5:45 a.m. — US-264 West reopened; the earlier US-64 wreck was cleared.

6:00 a.m. — A significant crash on I-540 at Buffaloe Road caused major delays during the early commute.

Raleigh Police had responded to at least five weather-related wrecks by mid-morning, while Durham Police reported at least one major incident. Wake County EMS handled several minor injuries tied to icy roads. Secondary roads remained the most treacherous, even as main routes were treated and reopened.

WRAL Weather Forecast: Slow Warm-Up, Then a Re-Freeze Risk

WRAL’s hourly forecast shows a gradual rise in temperatures through the day as sunshine returns:

• 9 a.m. — 29° to 31° (many surfaces still frozen)

• 11 a.m. — 34° to 36° (melting begins in sunny areas)

• 1 p.m. — 41° to 43°

• 3 p.m. — Upper 40s

• Late afternoon — Low 50s across most of the Triangle

Road conditions will improve steadily, but another brief dip below freezing Tuesday night may lead to patchy refreezing on untreated surfaces early Wednesday. Overall, Wednesday looks milder with highs in the mid-50s and dry skies.

Residents can track conditions through the WRAL Weather app, live radar, and network of tower cameras across central North Carolina.

School Closings and Delays Across Central and Eastern NC

The icy conditions prompted multiple school systems to modify schedules:

• Wake County Public Schools Closed

• Durham Public Schools  Closed

• Johnston County Schools — Closed

• Franklin County Schools — Closed

• Chapel Hill–Carrboro City Schools — Two-hour delay

Many private and charter schools followed with full closures.
WRAL.com and the WRAL Weather app maintain the most up-to-date county-by-county list for families across the region.

How Residents Can Stay Ahead of Conditions

WRAL’s weather team recommends a few practical steps through Tuesday and early Wednesday:

• Budget extra time for travel on bridges and neighborhood roads.

• Use the WRAL Weather radar in motion mode to check for lingering flurries or moisture.

• Enable push alerts in the app for real-time school closings, warnings, and weather video updates.

• Share photos or videos of conditions using ReportIt@wral.com

• or directly through the app.

A Light, Photogenic Snow With Serious Impacts

While the system brought enough snow for sledding, snowball fights, and family photos across Cary, North Raleigh, Louisburg, and Zebulon, the aftermath highlighted a familiar North Carolina pattern: small snow totals paired with a hard freeze can create outsized travel problems.

This event served as a reminder that even brief winter systems can disrupt schools, commutes, and emergency response when overnight temperatures drop sharply.

Summary

• Light snow (dusting to 1 inch) fell across the Triangle Monday night; freezing temperatures turned roads icy by early Tuesday.

• Multiple major routes  including I-87, US-264, and I-540 saw closures and crashes due to black ice.

• School districts across Wake, Durham, Johnston, and Franklin counties closed; several others operated on delays.

• Temperatures rise into the upper 40s today, with a brief refreeze possible late tonight.

• Wednesday brings warmer, dry weather with highs in the mid-50s.

• WRAL Weather provides real-time radar, hourly forecasts, and live updates throughout the day.

• WRAL Weather app remains the fastest source for alerts, closings, and local conditions.

For continued clarity and verified updates on developing stories, explore our latest reports.

As the sun melts away the remaining patches of ice, the Raleigh-Durham region settles back into more typical winter conditions. The WRAL Weather team will continue monitoring the next system on the horizon currently expected to bring only rain later this week and will keep the Triangle informed with live radar, accurate forecasts, and the latest school-closing information.