Snow fell in the SC Upstate — and turned into a sloppy mess. Take a look
The snow was pretty in the Upstate while it lasted but then along came sleet — more commonly known as ice.
Roads started freezing. An accident on Interstate 85 in Spartanburg County closed lanes briefly, the S.C. Department of Transportation reported.
They did not release information on whether anyone was injured or other details.
About the same time, State Park Road in Greenville County was closed by the Piedmont Park Fire Department due to ice, and a vehicle slid off a nearby road.
Most schools and government offices throughout the Upstate were closed for all or part of the day Friday. Public schools opted for e-learning days.
As of early evening, no more than 10 Duke Energy customers were without power in Greenville and Pickens counties. It remains to be seen how the power lines will hold up once ice starts to accumulate.
The National Weather Service reported at midday 0.1 inches of snow had fallen at their office at the Greenville Spartanburg Airport in Greer.
GSP reported it was open and operational Friday.
The sparse amount of snow did not keep people from sledding down hills even as grass blades popped through the snow in Upstate neighborhoods and at Furman University.
The city of Greenville closed its Main Street office but staff were able to conduct business over the phone, city officials said. Municipal Court was canceled as was bus service on Saturday.
Public works crews spread brine and salt before the storm started and both the Police Department and Fire Department added staff to respond to emergencies.
“Downtown is cold, but quiet,” the city said on Facebook. “We found a few dog walkers and coffee seekers.”
The Greenville Zoo closed on Friday and Saturday and the animals were taken inside.
“Keepers (will) provide food and enrichment activities,” zoo officials said on Facebook. “Zoo staff are also preparing meals ahead of time and salting walkways to minimize slippery conditions.”
They expect to reopen Sunday if the weather clears.
Greenville County closed its offices and all recreation offices and parks.
Spartanburg County offices, recycling centers, and landfill closed at noon Friday.
Pickens County reported at midday that there had been an increase in motor vehicle accidents.
“Pickens County Emergency Services advises you to avoid all unnecessary travel. Snow and ice has made many roads throughout the county unsafe for driving,” the county said.
Similar pleas were sent out by all other counties and law enforcement as well as the South Carolina Highway Patrol, which said don’t even drive around the corner to see what’s happening at a neighbor’s house.
Frank Strait of the S.C. State Climate Office said snow and ice would melt over the weekend but it will be slow. Temperatures were expected to warm to the 40s in some parts of the state, but nighttime temperatures in the high teens and low 20s will freeze any standing water.
In the Upstate, snow and sleet was changing over to freezing rain as darkness fell. The storm moved through the region after midnight.