North Carolinians should pay close attention to their local weather forecast, make sure they are prepared with what they need at home before Friday afternoon, and stay home if possible as ice on the roadways will likely create dangerous driving conditions.

Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency for North Carolina on Thursday before Friday’s winter storm. The announcement was made on Thursday, Jan. 9, about 24 hours before forecasts predicted winter weather to begin moving into the Carolinas.