UPDATE: More than 6,000 Duke Energy customers are without power in Henderson County as of 3:10 p.m. The estimated time of restoration is 6:15 p.m., according to Duke's website. 

  Cold grips North Carolina, delays school; snow possible

RALEIGH — It is bitterly cold across North Carolina and forecasters say snow could be coming to the eastern part of the state later this week.

The National Weather Service issued a wind chill advisory for 75 of the state's 100 counties for Tuesday morning. Wind chill readings as low as minus-15 were expected in the mountains.

A reading of 2 was reported in New Bern, with 13 in Raleigh.

Many schools planned to open two hours later than usual today because of the cold, including Henderson County Public Schools. 

Duke Energy reported about 6,300 customers without service Tuesday morning. Only 24 customers were without power today in Henderson County. 

The most serious problems were reported Lee and Randolph counties, west and southwest of Raleigh.

A winter storm watch was reported in 33 counties. Snow was possible Wednesday, with up to 4 inches expected along the coast.

In Hendersonville, snow is not in the forecast until Monday, with a 50 percent chance of flurries and rain, according to the National Weather Service. 

Today's high is 29 degrees, with a low tonight of about 13. Temperatures should stay in the 20s Wednesday and Thursday, warming up a bit this weekend.