The affected alligators are currently emerging from brumation - similar to hibernation in mammals - and over the past few months, these factors have led them to appear orange to onlookers.

In a bizarre turn of events, alligators in South Carolina are turning orange. It’s a strange but true happening. And, of course, people have so many questions. How and why are these alligators turning orange?

Alligators brumate in the winter -- the equivalent of mammal hibernation -- which can last from November to February.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol says it responded to nearly 1,200 collisions statewide on Wednesday. Virginia State Police reported early Thursday that there had been nearly 500 crashes statewide.

Snowy roads led to hundreds of crashes throughout Virginia and North Carolina, including a series of crashes on an interstate highway involving more than 50 vehicles

The last in a long train of storms will bring snow and ice to the Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas on Wednesday. While Washington will be near the northern edge of the storm starting late in the morning — with a dusting to a half-inch of snow possible in the District and areas to the south by the evening — impacts will be moderate to major farther south.

Cam Carter scored 17 points to lead a balanced scoring effort and LSU coasted to an 81-67 victory against South Carolina on Tuesday night in Baton Rouge, La.