Motorists should expect rain this weekend and slower travel times on the highways
Rain and post-Christmas traffic congestion could result in slower than normal motorway speeds over the coming days.
The National Weather Service is forecasting rain across the North starting Friday into Sunday night. Doug Outlaw, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Greenville-Spartanburg office, said more than three inches of rain could fall in parts of the region.
Outlaw is expected to receive the heaviest rainfall Saturday night and Sunday until around noon.
Outlaw said there’s no need to worry about ice, in fact, temperatures could reach the 50s and 60s on Saturday and Sunday.
Monday will be warm, with a high around 60 degrees, and no rain.
But according to AAA Auto Club, motorists need to take precautions during the rainy weekend.
On its website, AAA urges motorists to ensure they can “see and be seen.” Recommendations include replacing old windshield wipers to avoid streaks and uneven cleaning, monitoring tire tread and inflation levels, and checking all exterior lights.
Slowing down and braking are especially important on rainy days, so pay close attention. AAA discourages the use of cruise control in the rain because it can cause the driver to become distracted and lose reaction time. At the same time, drivers should drive slower and leave more space between themselves and other vehicles than in dry conditions.
While the rain is not expected to affect flights out of Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, officials encourage travelers to consider how long it will take to drive to the airport.
Tom Tyra, the airport’s chief marketing and communications officer, said it’s going to be a busy weekend at GSP, especially Sunday. He expects nearly 9,000 passengers to travel in and out of GSP on Sunday and Monday.
Tyra said it’s important for passengers to arrive two hours before departure. He encouraged visitors to reserve parking spaces at gspairport.com and download the airline’s mobile app.
“The best advice is always to allow plenty of time and enjoy the journey,” says Tyra.
This article originally appeared in The Herald: A rainy weekend for post-holiday travelers in Greenville
