In a word – dangerous.

Local emergency responders are urging Roanoke-Chowan area citizens to stay off the roads today (Tuesday) unless they need to travel to work or in an emergency.

NC DOT is reporting that snow, sleet and freezing rain have left local roadways covered in ice.

“Travelers are advised to stay off the roads if possible and to exercise extreme caution and stay alert if you must travel,” NC DOT said in a statement.

The winter storm dumped more sleet on the local area than first anticipated. It began as snow in the early evening hours and quickly transitioned to sleet. Heavier amounts of sleet, along with some freezing rain, were reported in the southern areas of the local region.

“This is not your typical North Carolina winter storm where the sunshine melts the snow and ice in a day or two. The extended low temperatures and black ice likely will make this a dangerous situation for several days,”  said Governor Pat McCrory. “Our crews have been out in full force treating the roads, but there is not much you can do about black ice.”

Any thawing on the roads today would refreeze overnight and the temperatures are expected to remain dangerously low for several days, the governor cautioned.