With another winter storm approaching, crews from the North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Highways office in Hudson find themselves once again preparing to deal with less than favorable road conditions.

The National Weather Service predicted a third winter storm - the second in a week - to roll through Caldwell County, meaning road crews that have been working to clear roads since last week's storm will be trying to handle yet another.

Caldwell County is under a winter storm warning through 6 a.m. Saturday because of the system.

The storm, brought on by a merging of cold air out of Canada coming through the Ohio Valley with a low-pressure system bringing moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to provide a mixed bag of weather. It was expected to start later Thursday and continue today and possibly even into Saturday.

The storm is expected to bring snow and sleet early, followed by sleet and freezing rain

NWS meteorologists were expecting a rapid increase of precipitation Thursday night into Friday morning, before it begins to taper off later this afternoon as the low-pressure system moves eastward. More wintry mix is expected tonight with snow possible Saturday, though temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 30s and reach 40 by Sunday when the sun should begin to peek through the clouds.

The system could drop 4-5 inches of snow and sleet, and there could be an ice accumulation up to a half inch. On top of that, winds of 20-30 mph are expected today when the temperature is only supposed to reach the low 30s.

County Maintenance Engineer Rodney Gantt said his crews have been working around the clock to clear roads from last week's storm. Primary roads throughout the county have been cleared along with many secondary roads, though there are some unpaved roads and subdivision streets that still have snow and ice on them.

Gantt said earlier this week that his office had ordered loads of salt and sand to replenish its stock for the upcoming storm. Six hundred of the 1,000 tons of sand needed have made their way to the NCDOT office on Pleasant Hill Road. NCDOT officials were expecting 500 of the 1,300 tons of salt ordered to arrive Thursday from the Morton Salt, Co. in Knoxville, Tenn. The salt dome at the Division of Highways location in Hudson holds 1,800 tons of salt, enough for three storms, Gantt said.

"We need to replenish our stockpile," Gantt said, adding that about 150 tons of salt are on site right now. "The salt and sand are being taken to so many counties. They're trying to get a truck to us. It could have a effect on us if we don't get that load in soon, but we feel like we have enough available for what's coming. There could be another weather event after this, and we want to make sure we are prepared."

To do that, crews spent Thursday doing maintenance on trucks and motor graders, getting their plow blades and chains ready for the storm. They also made sure their chainsaws are in good working condition because ice accumulations on trees along with heavy snow and high winds could bring them down in roadways.

Gantt said brine, salt and sand is still on roadways around the county, and that should give some help when the storm hits. He added that pre-treatment would begin when the storm itself started. He said spreaders would be used to dispense sand and salt in an attempt to melt some of the possible snow and ice while giving motorists better traction on the frozen precipitation.

"We have to make sure we hit those primary roads initially and then start on the secondary roads," Gantt said. "People who plan to drive need to check the road conditions and make good decisions. It's up to them if they want to drive, but we recommend they stay off the roads in weather like this unless they absolutely have to be out."