Governor Roy Cooper and state emergency officials are making preparations for a winter storm that will begin tonight and last into Friday morning. At a briefing in Raleigh this morning, Cooper said impacts will be felt across the state, with the most significant snowfall occurring in northeastern North Carolina. The National Weather Service predicts three to six inches of snow across the area. The governor said residents on the coast can expect whiteout conditions due to heavy snows and gusty winds. The state emergency operations center will open at 1pm to assist local governments. National Guard troops have been activated and can be deployed to a particular area if needed. North Carolina Department of Transportation Chief Tim Little said crews have put out more than 300,000 gallons of salt brine on roadways. He added over 135,000 tons of salt is on hand ready to clear roadways following the storm. Black ice is possible Friday morning, making travel conditions treacherous. Officials urge people to stay off the roads.