Raleigh, North Carolina – The Virginia–North Carolina region is entering an extended period of elevated winter weather risk as lingering cold across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast keeps the potential for additional snow and ice events high through mid-February, following one of the most expansive winter systems of the season.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, below-normal temperatures are expected to persist across both Virginia and North Carolina through the Feb. 7–20 period. With cold air firmly entrenched, any storm system tracking across the Ohio Valley, Tennessee Valley, or along the East Coast could produce snow, sleet, or freezing rain, particularly during overnight and early morning hours.
The renewed concern follows Winter Storm Fern, a massive system that swept from Texas to Maine and impacted more than two dozen states. Fern delivered disruptive winter weather across both states, with heavier snow reported across western and northern Virginia and mixed precipitation creating hazardous conditions across central and eastern North Carolina. Travel deteriorated rapidly along Interstates 40, 64, 77, 81, 85, and 95, while school closures and widespread delays were reported as roads became slick and visibility dropped.
As cold conditions persist, communities from the Blue Ridge and Appalachian foothills into the Piedmont and northern Coastal Plain could face renewed disruptions if similarly strong systems develop. Transportation officials in both states warn that repeated winter events may strain treatment efforts, while prolonged cold increases the risk of ice buildup on bridges, overpasses, and untreated secondary roads.
Emergency management agencies across Virginia and North Carolina are urging residents to prepare now by checking heating systems, insulating exposed pipes, and restocking winter emergency supplies. Drivers are encouraged to avoid non-essential travel during wintry weather and to monitor VDOT and NCDOT updates closely.
While the exact timing of future storms remains uncertain, forecasters say the overall pattern supports continued winter threats. Additional advisories and warnings may be issued as confidence increases, with cold air and the risk of snow and ice likely remaining a recurring concern across Virginia and North Carolina through mid-February.
