3 and you're taking a look in pickens county--where you can see some flurries falling earlier today-- 3 and just after 3 this afternoon...we saw some snow and sleet in greer--fox carolina's photojournalist summer gagnon sent in this video from her backyard. 3 and right now you're taking a live look in mars hill north carolina-where you can see they got quite a bit of snow this afternoon...but it's causing some major concerns on the roads.the north carolina highway patrol says so far tonight they've received over 300-calls...and 90-percent of those calls were traffic accidents.they say roads are getting better but are warning drivers to be cautious. 3 and although the wintry mix has subsided for the night...another system is expected to move in tomorrow night. night.joining us now in the weather center with what you need to know...is chief meteorologist kendra kent.

3 slick roads could develop overnight with snow on the ground in the mountains. thursday will be partly cloudy with highs in the mid 40s for the upstate and low 40s in the mountains, thursday night rain will move in as our next big storm system approaches. it will begin as rain, then transition to freezing rain and sleet in western nc. some of that may drift south into the upstate for friday morning colder air pushes in from the northeast.therefore, a mix of rain, sleet and freezing rain is possible early friday, and that could make driving treacherous. there is time of things to change, but right now i do think we could see some ice be sure to check out www.foxcarolina.com/weather for more on the forecast and interactive radarslick roads could develop overnight with snow on the ground in the mountains. thursday will be partly cloudy with highs in the mid 40s for the upstate and low 40s in the mountains, thursday night rain will move in as our next big storm system approaches. it will begin as rain, then transition to freezing rain and sleet in western nc. some of that may

for friday morning colder air pushes in from the northeast. therefore, a mix of rain, sleet and freezing rain is possible early friday, and that could make driving treacherous. there is time of things to change, but right now i do think we could see

3 and don't forget to wake up with thee morning news-- meteorologist nicole papay will have a check of the forecast as you head out the door--and traffic reporter chris scott will have the latest road conditions on your way to work.that's from 5:00 to 9:00 on thee morning news. 3 back to you. 3 and we're always monitoring the latest school closings across the carolinas -here's a look at what we've gotten in so far -these schools will be closed.jackson, swain, yancey, mitchell, macon, madison, graham and haywood. haywood.here are some delays.

two hour delaywe have a lot of other closings running at the bottom of your screen.and you can also check our app. 3 and duke energy is already reporting power outages tonight--right now nearly 15-hundred people across henderson county and into south carolina are without-- without--and with the snow fall...and wet weather we've seen today--officials say ice conditions could cause problems in the next few days. there are fewer problems with buried power lines--like the ones on main street in downtown greenville.but most areas still have above ground power lines.and because of that - duke energy is focusing on both north and south carolina - ahead of friday's winter system. 3 3 3 3 "we have our line technicians and other team mates and crew mates who are getting ready. they're making sure they have the gear they need if they have to spend several nights in the field and making sure they have whatever they need to respond to whatever mother nature throws their way." 3 now duke energy recommends having a plan if your power does go outthey say to have a

food...water...and try to have an alternate heat source or generator to keep warm. 3 we have team coverage on this winter weather 3 the bmw driving school is giving us tips about how to handle your vehicle -- if you come across black ice. 3 fox carolina's rebecca atkins is live for us tonight from d-o-t in spartanburg, and you met with a driving instructor as well as highway patrol about overall safety in this weather, and rebecca what did you find out? 3 cody and sarah the roads are already being prepped for this weather, and highway patrol urges that if you don't have to be on the roads this weekend they say just don't drive on them. 3 but earlier today i met with mike renner, a driving instructor for the bmw performance driving school and he says no matter what size car you drive ice can easily take over the wheel of your car. he says if your car starts sliding, go with the wheel and once the car starts to straighten out, he says then correct it in the

go. he says the most important piece of advice, is to keep your eyes in the direction you want the car to travel. 3 3 3 3 "unfortunately most people look at the ditch they are about to run into, and that's where the car ends up. so always stay focused on where you want to go which is the roadway... you counter-stear into it, try not to panic, try not to overdo it and then when the grip comes back of course, if you put a correction in, you have to be ready to take the correction out, and that's where vision really comes into play." play."and highway patrol also says that if you will be driving on the roads, to let someone know where you're going, what time you plan on being there as well as what route you will be taking. 3 they say that way if you happen to not make it to your location... they have an idea of where to start looking for you. cody? 3 rebecca, when it comes to driving on ice, those tips the driving instructor gave can really come in handy, are there any other recommendations he gave if drivers come

roads?well above all he says be aware of your surroundings, and try not to panick. he says a lot of times when a car starts drifting he says the drivers immediate instinct is to correct the wheel in the opposite direction but again he says go with the wheel then correct it once it starts to straighten out, he also says drivers can take classes with them if they want to learn more about driving in those 3 and many across the north east and mid atlantic are bracing for a massive winter storm... and you can see the snow is already falling in washington d-c -- at the white house.and that means major airlines are also prepping for the weather...as many take to the skies this weekend. american....southwest...and delta are among the airlines already issuing travel waivers to customers ahead of the storm.most passengers will be able to change their flights without penalty through the weekend. 3 and this afternoon we headed over to the greenville spartanburg international airport --- to find out what passengers can expect in the upstate...as they get ready to fly. 3 3 3

check with their airlines check the status of their flight with their airlines directly for the most up to date information" information""the biggest tip i can pack smart dress early." early."and you heard it right there--passengers should arrive early...for parking and check-in... and of course keep a close eye on the status of your flight. 3 and we will continue to track the winter storm--remember to download the fox carolina weather app. just text 'carolina weather' to 23765 to download! 3 now to a developing story 3 out of hart county, georgia... where the georgia bureau of investigation is investigating an officer involved shooting. it happened on old reed creek road around seven tonight. tonight.and here's a live look at the scene--investigators say deputies were initially called out to a domestic dispute....and when they arrived they were confronted by a man with a machete. investigators say that person was shot by deputies...he was taken to the hospital for treatment and was later released into custody.no deputies were hurt in the

is ongoing. 3 now to a fox carolina folow up 3 we have a happy update for you on the greenville county sheriff's deputy who was injured when he was shot in the head in the line of duty. duty.that's right!just this afternoon family, friends, fellow officers and staff at g-h-s were all there to give deputy dave dempsey a well deserved send-off from the hospital--it comes 41-days after he was hurt while responding to a burglary call. demspey has already gone through weeks of rehab...and says he's ready to go home. this afternoon he only had words of gratitude for those who helped him get to this point. point. 3 3 3 3 3 "i've worked hard to try and come to this day quick with help from the physical therapists" therapists""i appreciated everybody's prayers and visits it was great"

3 "im very joyful, my heart is happy and full and content we are ready to go home" home"doctors say dempsey does have a long road of outpatient rehab ahead.if you'd like to keep up with deputy dempsey's progress and maybe donate financially to help with some of the costs ahead....you can find a link to a "go fund me" account set up for him...on our website...fox carolina dot com. 3 the carolina panthers are cardinals for the n-f-c championship--this weekend! 3 that's right -but they're not the *only ones getting prepared--coming up -- police are reminding fans of security measures...and how to spot ticket scammers, among the excitement. 3 plus--we're taking a live look in western north carolina--as we track some winter weather moving in.still to come how the mountain towns are preparing--and another look at your forecast across our

3 and all night long you've been sending us your pictures of the winter weather from the upstate to western north carolina--keep them coming! remember you can email us or like us on our facebook page to share.

3 3 tonight marked governor nikki haley's state of the state address -following a historic year for south carolina. 3 the governor commented not only on the tragic shooting at emmanuel a-m-e church...but also how the state responded to the death of walter scott-- scott--scott was shot during a traffic stop by a north charleston police officer who is now charged with 3 3 "but unfortunately what happened in north charleston on april fourth was not an unique event in america today. what happened after was. in the face of overwhelming video

wrong sc did not erupt in riots or violence instead we focused on justice and progress." progress."and the governor also recognized scott's family who was in the audience tonight.in her address she also focused what's being done to end what she calls the "domestic violence epidemic plaguing south carolina - as well as - on business growth and job creation in the state. 3 and we're tracking some winter weather 3 you're taking a live look in mars hill north carolina right now...where you can see they were blanketed with snow today...north carolina highway patrol says the weather is causing some bad road conditions--and are reminding drivers to use caution as they prepare for another system to move in. 3 just this afternoon in asheville you could really see the snow flurries... accumulating on the ground...

busy brining the roads ahead of the snow they got...using that mixture of salt and water that helps melt whatever ice comes their way tonight and through the rest of the week. the big worry is for a potential freezing rain event friday--the rain that's expected over the next two days will most likely wash away whatever work they today...so that means crews will be back out to treat the roads again. 3 chief meteorologist kendra kent joins us now with a look at your forecast- 3 slick roads could develop overnight with snow on the ground in the mountains. thursday will be partly cloudy with highs in the mid 40s for the upstate and low 40s in the mountains, thursday night rain will move in as our next big storm system approaches. it will begin as rain, then transition to freezing rain

of that may drift south into the upstate for friday morning colder air pushes in from the northeast.therefore, a mix of rain, sleet and freezing rain is possible early friday, and that could make driving treacherous. there is time of things to change, but right now i do think we could see some ice accumulations in the far northern upstate near the nc border and all across western nc. a wintry mix will continue through the day, with upstate. the bulk of the moisture leaves on friday evening, then we could see some light to moderate snow on late friday night. 1-2 inches of snow will be possible in the upstate with 4-6 inches possible near the tn border in the momotains.skies will clear slowly on saturday, but the mountains could still get snow through midday. expect sun to return and highs back in the

3 happening this weekend--as the panthers inch closer to a superbowl bidwe're taking a

get there.join us this sunday for panthers' pursuit of a title -aaron and shannon will have all the coverage from charlotte -again, that's this sunday at 5:30. 3 and fox carolina is the place to be this sunday.pre-game coverage starts at 6pm.kickoff is 6:40pm.tune in this sunday for the nfc championship.and of course head to fox carolina dot com and click on the panthers section for all you need to know! 3 and fox carolina sports anchor shannon sommerville joins us now---and shannon speaking of the panthers we're also talking about ticket scams and security for this weekend's big game. game.that's right guys...today charlotte-mecklenburg police are warning fans to be on the lookout for scams in the midst of the excitement... excitement...in a press conference today...police are reminding fans they could be targeted by ticket scammers.... they say to avoid that happening to you....purchase your tickets from a reputable source...but if you want to go through someone...they say to take a picture of the seller...ask for their identification...and if you're

them to walk to the gate with you while it's scanned. 3 3 3 3 "and we want to make sure fans are not turned awawa that they have valid tickets aso they can get in and watch the football game." game."and of course another concern for this weekend is security...police say they will have extra officers on hand this sunday...monitoring outside the stadium and of course inside.and they're reminding fananwho will be attending--if you see something you think is suspicious-- then say something so they can investigate. 3 we've got plenty more from bank of america including a report from fox carolina sports director aaron cheslock... cheslock...and even though the n-f-c championship game is days away...panthers quarterback cam newton is already getting some honors...we'll tell you what the pro football writers had to say about carolina's signal caller...thats coming up in sports. stick around.

3 5 years ago cam newton was celebrating a national championship with the auburn tigers...a lots changed since then. but the story is very similar...anf as we head into this year's n-f-c championship game...newton might be celebrating just like he did 5 years ago... ago...while it was the heisman trophy he won during that campaign at auburn..this year he's a frontrunner for the league's most valuable player. he's already been named nfl mvp by the pro football writers of america. newtons certainly got the stats to back it up. he's the only player in nfl history throw 35 touchdown passes and record 10 touchdown runs in a season,

will be announced february 6th- the night before the superbowl... 3 the cardinals meanwhile are looking to find a chink in carolina's armor... one place they might look is the one loss this season for the panthers... against the falcons... but sports director aaron cheslock found that the reason for that loss varies, depending on who you talk to... 3 3 3 "one for the record books, but it could have been even more... the 16-1 panthers set to play in the nfc title game this sunday, but ron rivera's wondering what could have been... if the feud between greenwood alum josh norman and odell beckham jr hadn't caused some chaos leading into the atlanta game.. the one loss on cacalina's resume."3 "the way things played out against the giants, and then dealing with having won the way we did and all the backlash that we got, that to me was a distraction. and

as a coach is to make sure we're not distracted. unfortunately i didn't do everything i i needed to. i've said it before, it'd be interesting to see where we'd be right now if we were still undefeated. i just wonder. it'll be something i wonder as long as i'm a head coach.""the atlanta loss is weird for multiple reasons, but i think the biggest thing that week that's not being mentioned is we didn't practice. our offense is built off timing. and the dress rehearal is the game. the success rate is going to be extremely low. and i don't think we're that good to just do that. we need as muchpractice as possible. we need as much practice because thahas what got us to this point.""we've won some games we've lost some games and you an learn a little bit from each one, buti think guys understand the process that it takes to be successful and we're sticking to that, i think guys understand that

more physical. each plays matters more and thankfully we've had experience in the past that's going to benefit us at this point right now. " "the panthers one loss won't mean much however if they can get two more wins... our panthers coverage continues through the week... tag out 3 we'll have more coverage of the panthers as they look to punch their ticket to super bowl 50. right now though we've got your coverage of the gamecocks women's basketball team...they're undefeated undefeatedbut they've got a tough stretch ahead of them, playing 3 of their next 4 on the road. and it all starts tomorrow with a trip to auburn. u-s-c is one of just two teams in the country's top 25 with an unblemished record. uconn is also undefeated and the only team standing between the gamecocks and the number one spot in the polls. game

3 and the buffalo bills are making history tonight with their newest hire--who's now the first *full-time female n-f-l coach ever...more on the big announcement- next.

marco rubio. he ran for senate saying he opposed amnesty... then he flipped, and worked with liberal chuck schumer to co-author the path to citizenship bill. he threatened to vote against it. and then voted for it. he supported his own dream act and then he abandoned it. marco rubio. just another washington politician you can't trust. jeb bush. he's a leader, so you always know where he stands. right to rise usa

3 3 the cardinals made waves at the beginning of the season to hire first ever female training camp assistant coach...and now the buffalo

suit!the bills announced tonight they've hired kathryn smith to serve as a special teams quality control coach... making her the first **full-time assistant coach in n-f-l history.smith previously worked as the administrative assistant to coach rex ryan last year....and in a statement today he said quote: "she certainly deserves this promotion based on her knowledge and strong commitment....and i know she's going to do a great job." job." 3 let's get a last look of the

kendra kent kentslick roads could develop overnight with snow on the ground in the mountains. thursday will be partly cloudy with highs in the mid 40s for the upstate and low 40s in the mountains, thursday night rain will move in as our next big storm system approaches. it will begin as rain, then transition to freezing rain and sleet in western nc. some of that may drift south into the upstate for friday morning colder air pushes in from the northeast.therefore, a mix of rain, sleet and freezing rain is possible early friday, and that could make driving treacherous. there is time of things to change, but right now i do think we could see some ice 3 3 thanks for joining us, good night.

(glass tinging)