Winter storm brings more ice and heavy rain Wednesday

A winter storm continues to impact the Carolinas today with freezing rain and sleet for the mountains creating hazardous travel and power outage risks. In the Piedmont and Foothills, expect a cold steady rain with highs in the upper 30s to lower 40s. By tonight, warmer air moves in, changing any freezing rain to a cold rain.

The heaviest rain and highest flooding risk will be late Wednesday into early Thursday as a strong low pressure system moves in from the west. A powerful low level jet will pump in Gulf moisture, leading to an additional 1-2″ of rainfall and possible localized flooding – especially for low lying and poor drainage areas. Winds will also pick up, adding stress to trees and power lines weighed down by ice in the higher elevations. Temps rise steadily overnight, reaching the low 60s for the Piedmont by Thursday afternoon. We’ll get a brief opportunity to dry out Thursday afternoon through Friday with highs in the low 50s for Valentine’s Day.

Looking ahead to the weekend, another strong system moves in Saturday with more widespread rain. Some light freezing rain is possible early in the high country and foothills. but most areas will see a steady rain through Sunday. A strong cold front Sunday will bring another round of gusty wind and one final blast of heavy rain before much colder temperatures settle in next week and we get an opportunity to dry out.