Triangle dodges a big snowfall

For kids and kids at heart, today's flirtation with flurries was a big letdown. Flakes didn't begin drifting down until well into the afternoon and quickly dissolved on the ground.

It was a relief for everyone else. But their worries weren't over yet. The rain and snow, combined with dropping temperatures, could turn wet roads icy this morning, making that drive to church or the mall treacherous.

"It's still enough to make for some slick spots," said Barnett Smith, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in Raleigh.

Today would have been ideal for snow, with a long weekend ahead and not much reason to drive. As much as four inches had been expected, but by nightfall, Smith said less than half an inch had fallen, and the snow was tapering off.

In Sanford, 35 miles southwest of Raleigh, it began snowing in earnest midafternoon. As sundown approached, snow lay on the leaves of magnolia trees, traced the branches of leafless trees against the dimming sky, and teased children who had stared out windows for hours, waiting, waiting, waiting.

Five kids on the west side of town couldn't wait anymore. They pulled on hats and gloves and hauled a blue plastic sled outside.

"We've been in her yard, our yard, everybody's yard, trying to find enough snow," said a wet Taylor Ridall, 13. "We're going to stay out until midnight."

One of the group, Katie Lewis, was celebrating her 13th birthday. The first snowfall she'd seen in a couple of years was a nice gift.

Area police and rescue squads received a gift too. The threat of snow and ice kept most people off the roads, and those who did travel found little problem.

"We've had less wrecks today than a normal day with sunshine," said Raleigh police Lt. Tim Tomczak.

The threat of snow had some scrambling to help those in need. Staff and volunteers at the Helping Hand Mission near downtown Raleigh rounded up coats, gloves and blankets before temperatures started to drop.

"We're running very short," said Willie Thorpe, who works at the mission. "I'm almost having to turn people away because we don't have the items available. The faster we get them, the faster they go."

About 60 people live at the facility, which provides hot meals, coffee, counseling and shelter for people off the street, especially during harsh weather. A children's playroom in the back of the house was taken over by bedding Saturday.

Program director Sylvia Wiggins said the facility has been inundated since Friday, when people without homes or heat started responding to reports of freezing temperatures on the way.

"People get scared," said Wiggins. "We need coats and blankets and layered clothing for them."

Kenneth Jordan of Raleigh came looking for a blanket and found one among a dwindling pile of goods. "Praise the Lord," he said.

It did snow for one North Raleigh neighborhood. The developers of Bedford at Falls River had 80,000 pounds of shaved ice trucked in from Atlanta for the "Snow Extravaganza." The snow covered a 120-square-foot area 2 to 3 feet deep.

More than 1,000 people showed up make snowmen and toss snowballs, according to organizers.

Maurice Hopkins, who lives in Bedford, brought five kids to the event, including his daughter Arianna, 7, and son Jayden, 5. The Hopkins family moved to Bedford six months ago from New Jersey.

"We're used to this stuff," Hopkins said. "It's nice for the kids, let's put it that way."

As for drought relief, Barnett said the wintry weather might deliver the equivalent of a half-inch of rainfall.

To donate clothes, time or transportation to the Helping Hand Mission, call 829-8048 or go to 623 Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh.

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The faux snow had one major impact: No Barry Manilow.

His concert, set for Sunday night at the RBC Center, was postponed. Arena officials said a makeup date will be announced next week.

Karen Shorter flew in from Louisville, Ky., today to attend the show with her daughter, who lives in Carrboro.

“I’m kind of heartbroken because we were looking forward to a mother-daughter night out," she said.