Now THAT was a snow

ASHEBORO — Last week, our headline in this space noted the county could exhale as Winter Storm Fern, while leaving us with enough ice to cancel schools for a week, didn’t produce the days-long power outages many feared.

This week, many residents likely chose to inhale after a so-called “bomb cyclone” hit the East Coast with a snow event that delivered on its promise of 7 to 8 inches of snow in our area — and then some in parts of the county. Even though as much as 16 inches fell on the outer western edges of the county (we’re looking at you, Trinity), it was the kind of fine, proper snow that created beautiful images, delicious snow cream and some fun sledding.

The county wasn’t out of danger, of course. Melting snow refreezes at night, making travel (and getting back in school) difficult, especially for those who first had to navigate getting through nearly a foot of the stuff in their driveways just to get on a slippery street. As always in such conditions, folks were urged not to travel unless they absolutely had to.

The cities of Asheboro, Randleman and Liberty all declared states of emergency before the storm hit. Low temps in the teens on Sunday and Monday nights weren’t going to help “get back to normal” efforts. City offices were closed and services were postponed at least through Monday. The NC Zoo was closed through Tuesday. Remote learning days were in effect for city and county schools on Monday.

But, overall, again, we’ll take the win.

For more photos, postponements and related material, see page 3B in the print edition, appearing locally on Wednesday.: