Classes Conclude With Winter Weather

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Polk Place echoed with shrieks of laughter as snowballs whizzed across the quad.

Cars struggled up hills, and more than 40 minor accidents, including a jackknifed tractor trailer on Interstate 40, occurred as Chapel Hill endured its first snowfall of the season.

UNC officials assigned the lowest advisory level to the University on Wednesday after more than a half-inch of snow fell in the area. UNC will remain open and operational today unless weather conditions worsen overnight. Officials said the weather probably would not affect the start of finals Friday.

Jon Holbrook, a desk supervisor at the Undergraduate Library, said libraries also will be open today. Individual departments will be open today at the discretion of their department heads.

Local officials said they would announce changes in bus schedules, canceled activities and the closing of any facilities early this morning. Residents were advised to check for closings or revised schedules before venturing out. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and Orange County Schools are closed today.

Bruce Heflin, director of the Chapel Hill Department of Public Works, said trucks were spreading salt, focusing efforts on Rosemary and Hillsborough streets, Cameron Avenue and Sage Road.

Mike McFarland, director of University communications, said people can check the weather advisory link on the University's Web site for the conditions and get updates on the latest warning level by listening to radio station 1610 AM.

University grounds employees worked overtime Wednesday, clearing hospital and emergency areas first, said UNC Director of Grounds Kirk Pelland. "We're going to work late into the night to get the campus ready," he said. "It's really nice that there are no classes tomorrow."

Regular Point-2-Point and Chapel Hill buses kept rolling Wednesday, although slower than usual, while the P2P Xpress buses stopped service because of the weather, he said.

Bill Stockard, assistant to the town manager, urged residents to limit driving. "(Public transportation ) will be running as long as (it) can do so safely," he said. "We're continuing to operate and provide service to the park and ride lots."

Most of Mainstreet Lenoir shut down Wednesday evening, while the Top of Lenoir and Subway remained open. If weather conditions do not worsen, Top of Lenoir and Chase Dining Hall will be open as normal while restaurants in Mainstreet Lenoir will decide individually whether to open.

Poarch said the University could be elevated to a level two advisory condition today if there is heavy ice or snow accumulation that limits transportation and parking, although he said he doubts UNC will shut down because of the weather.

National Weather Service meteorologist Scott Krentz said this might not be the last taste of wintry weather the Triangle gets. "It has been colder than normal already, and we don't think that's going to change."

Chapel Hill residents are preparing for the worst, stocking up on winter weather essentials like kerosene heaters, gasoline, salt and snow shovels, said Lowes store manager Larry Edens.

But some UNC students are looking for more entertaining supplies. "I bought these gloves just so I could pack this snowball as hard as possible all the way from Franklin Street," said UNC freshman Lawrence Bianco. "I'm going to start a fight with my suitemates."

Today's forecast calls for a wintry mix of precipitation with a high of 37 degrees.

The State & National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.