Today’s Weather Forecast

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Major winter storm will impact the area through Saturday morning. Here is the latest:

CHARLOTTE

Light rain will overspread the area around midnight and gradually transition to freezing rain, sleet, and snow by 3am. The wintry mix will pick up in intensity as we work our way through Friday morning. The mix will gradually transition to just freezing rain and will linger throughout the day. As the storm begins to move away from the region, expect freezing rain to change back to snow and sleet. This transition will occur Friday night. If enough moisture remains, an inch or two of snow is possible in and around Charlotte. Although we may see some snow Friday night into early Saturday, the big threat from this storm will be significant icing. Temperatures are expected to remain at or below freezing through the duration of this storm. Any precipitation that falls will freeze on impact. 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch of ice accumulation is possible. This has the potential to bring tress down, power lines, and create dangerous traveling conditions. Traveling will be treacherous. Black ice will continue to be a threat Saturday night before temperatures warm above freezing Sunday.

Timing– Rain will begin around midnight and quickly transition to a wintry mix. Freezing rain and sleet are likely throughout the day Friday. Snow will begin to mix in with the freezing rain late in the day and linger into Saturday morning. Precipitation will stop falling early Saturday.

Snow and Ice Totals– 1-2 inches of snow is possible in and around Charlotte Friday night into early Saturday. Snow will not be the big threat with this storm. Significant ice accumulation is likely and will range from 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch. This is a dangerous amount of ice.

Impacts– Power outages, dangerous driving conditions, airport delays, and trees being knocked down are all likely.

FOOTHILLS

Light snow will overspread the area shortly after midnight and will gradually increase in intensity. The snow will likely fall heavy at times towards sunrise and continue into Friday. Friday morning the snow will mix with sleet and freezing rain. A wintry mix is likely throughout the day. This wintry mix will hinder snowfall totals. As the storm begins to pull away, expect the wintry mix to transition back to all snow late in the day. Snow will gradually taper off Friday night. A few lingering snow showers are possible Saturday, but by then the bulk of the heavy precipitation will have moved out of the area. Black ice will continue to be a threat Saturday night before temperatures warm above freezing Sunday.

Timing– Snow will begin shortly after midnight and will increase in intensity toward sunrise. Freezing rain and sleet will mix in with the snow Friday before changing back to all snow late in the day. Light snow Friday night will taper to snow showers or flurries late as the storm exits the area.

Snow and Ice Totals– 7-12 inches of snow is possible. The highest amounts will be in the higher elevations, with lesser amounts likely as you drop in elevation. A coating of sleet and freezing rain is likely during the day Friday.

Impacts– Power outages, dangerous driving conditions, and trees being knocked down are all likely.

MOUNTAINS

Light snow will overspread the area shortly after midnight and will gradually increase in intensity. The snow will likely fall heavy at times towards sunrise and continue into Friday. At this point, it appears that some sleet will mix in with the snow during the day Friday which will hold back snow totals from their true potential. With that said, it is still very likely for most areas at or above 3,500 feet to receive 12 or more inches of snow and sleet. Light snow will transition to lingering snow showers Friday night into Saturday. Black ice will continue to be a threat Saturday night into Sunday.

Timing– Snow will begin shortly after midnight and will increase in intensity towards sunrise. Sleet will likely mix in with the snow during the day Friday before returning to all snow Friday night into Saturday.

Snow and Ice Totals– 12 inches of snow and sleet is likely above 3,500 feet. The higher you go in elevation the more likely it is to see more snow.

Impacts– Power outages, dangerous driving conditions, and trees being knocked down are all likely.