Widespread snowfall could taper off tonight

Many schools, including in Oak Ridge, dismissed students early on Tuesday because of the snow, and Anderson County Schools will be closed on Wednesday.

(Update: Oak Ridge Schools will also be closed Wednesday.)

The snow that started late Tuesday morning is expected to continue through the evening in the valleys, tapering off around midnight in the mountains, according to the National Weather Service in Morristown.

Snow and ice caused traffic problems on slippery roads across the region. Some cars and trucks had trouble driving up hilly roads in Oak Ridge.

The federal courthouse in Knoxville closed early because of the weather, delaying the sentencing hearing for the three protesters who cut through fences and vandalized a uranium storage building at the Y-12 National Security Complex in July 2012. Many businesses also closed early, and sporting events and other meetings were canceled.

The National Weather Service said there could be between one to four inches of snow across southwest North Carolina and the East Tennessee mountains and southwest Virginia, with more mountaintop snow possible.

“Generally, between one to two inches of snow is possible across most of the valley locations and mountain foothills,” forecasters said.

The NWS said hazardous driving conditions would develop through the afternoon as the snow accumulated on roadways.

“Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination,” the Weather Service said.

The low tonight near Oak Ridge will be about 6 degrees Fahrenheit, and there is about a 20 percent chance of snow. Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be sunny, with a high of 27 on Wednesday and 39 on Thursday. The low on Wednesday night could be 10.

The central office staff at Anderson County Schools will follow the inclement weather procedure, a statement said.