National Weather Service says expect icy roads, power outages through Monday in Spartanburg area

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The National Weather Service is encouraging Greenville-Spartanburg area residents to prepare for long-term power outages and hazardous driving conditions from the winter storm.

The storm is expected to start Saturday evening and continue through Sunday. A cold rain is expected to start around 7 p.m. Saturday, transitioning into a sleet-snow mix during the night. The storm is expected to transition again around daybreak Sunday into freezing rain.

NWS meteorologist Scott Krentz said some areas of Spartanburg could see up to a quarter inch of ice accumulation and that snow should start around 5 p.m. Sunday and continue through the evening with maybe an inch accumulation.

Be prepared: Everything you need to know about the winter storm forecast for Spartanburg, South Carolina

Wind gusts up to 25 mph are also expected, which, when combined with the ice, could take down some power lines and tree branches.

"It's a good time for everybody to make final plans, to make sure they've got provisions. There could be power outages for a day or so; they're going to need to be able to stay warm," Krentz said.

As of 8 a.m. Saturday, Spartanburg is under a winter storm warning, rather than an ice storm warning. Power outages, hazardous travel and mixed precipitation should be expected.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Weather forecast predicts icy roads, power outages in Spartanburg SC