ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Blowing snow and slick roads created hazardous driving conditions across parts of the Asheville area early Thursday, with markedly different conditions reported on either side of the French Broad River.

Bowen Bridge appeared to be a dividing line for road conditions. Drivers traveling west from downtown Asheville reported mostly clear lanes on Patton Avenue until crossing the bridge toward West Asheville and the Enka-Candler area, where snow and ice quickly accumulated.

Smoky Park Highway in the Enka-Candler area and sections of Patton Avenue in West Asheville were snow-covered, while roads closer to downtown remained largely clear as of early morning.

Motorists shared multiple reports of slick conditions through social media. One person, posting in the WNC Road Warriors traffic group, said Patton Avenue became slick with accumulating snow immediately west of the French Broad River, with several vehicles losing control near the Louisiana Avenue and Hazel Mill Road intersections. She described what felt like a layer of ice beneath the snow, particularly on downhill stretches, during a drive around 6:50 a.m.

In Leicester, drivers also reported rapidly deteriorating conditions. One driver warned that roads near Leicester Highway and Patton Avenue were slick, while another said Leicester Highway and Alexander Road “got tricky quick.”

Additional reports from the Leicester area indicated roads became snow-covered within a short period, with traffic moving slowly as conditions worsened.

Sand Hill Road was also reported to be very icy, as were roads off New Leicester Highway.

Drivers are reporting that Johnston Boulevard is icy and North Bear Creek is not safe.

“Watching cars slip and slide, and the last city bus slid a few feet in front of my house,” one person commented on social media.

Drivers are urged to use caution, reduce speeds, and allow extra travel time as weather conditions continue to affect road safety across the region.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation travel map showed plenty of snow-covered roads, with quite a bit of congestion in the Pond Road area.

The right lane of eastbound Interstate 26 near Brevard Road was closed because of a disabled vehicle. That is expected to be cleared by 10 a.m.

The left shoulder of eastbound I-26 near Brevard Road is closed 2 miles before Exit 33 because of a crash. That is expected to clear by 9:05 a.m.