Charlotte, North Carolina – The Carolinas are entering an extended period of elevated winter weather risk as lingering cold across the Southeast keeps the potential for additional snow and ice events alive through mid-February, following one of the most expansive winter storms to impact the region in years.
According to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, below-normal temperatures are expected to persist across both North Carolina and South Carolina through the Feb. 7–20 period. With cold air firmly entrenched, any storm system tracking across the Southeast or Mid-Atlantic could produce snow or freezing rain, particularly during overnight and early morning hours when temperatures drop below freezing.
The renewed concern follows Winter Storm Fern, a massive system that swept from Texas to Maine and impacted more than two dozen states. Fern brought rare winter weather into the Carolinas, with snow and sleet reported across the Piedmont and foothills and icy conditions impacting major travel corridors. Hazardous conditions were reported along Interstates 40, 77, 85, and 26, while school closures and commuter disruptions spread across both states.
As cold conditions persist, communities from the North Carolina mountains and foothills through the Piedmont and into the South Carolina Upstate could face renewed disruptions if similarly strong systems develop. Transportation officials in both states warn that repeated winter events increase the risk of icy bridges and overpasses, which can become dangerous quickly even with light precipitation.
Emergency management agencies across the Carolinas 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 NCDOT and SCDOT updates closely.
While the exact timing of future systems 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 potential for snow or ice likely remaining a recurring concern across the Carolinas through mid-February.
