Raleigh, North Carolina – A dangerous ice storm tightened its grip across central and eastern North Carolina Sunday afternoon, setting up treacherous roads and a growing risk of widespread power outages that could last into Monday.
According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 1 p.m. Monday for much of the Piedmont, Sandhills, and northern Coastal Plain. Additional ice accumulations of up to three-tenths of an inch are possible, enough to weigh down trees and power lines and make travel hazardous.
The greatest impacts are expected across the Triangle and surrounding communities, including Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, Rocky Mount, Wilson, Goldsboro, Sanford, and Southern Pines. Farther west, areas such as Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, Burlington, and Asheboro face a mix of freezing rain with sleet and light snow, further worsening road conditions.
Officials warn that bridges and overpasses will ice over first, with secondary roads becoming increasingly dangerous overnight. Utility crews are preparing for outages as ice accumulates on lines and tree limbs.
Drivers are urged to delay all non-essential travel and prepare for a difficult Monday morning commute. Residents should charge devices, gather emergency supplies, and avoid downed power lines.
Icy conditions are expected to persist through Monday midday, with warnings remaining in effect and additional advisories possible if icing lasts longer than anticipated.
