North Carolina – Damp ground and mild air greet the morning across central parts of the state, but the setup is already changing. A developing winter storm is expected to bring snow, sleet, and freezing rain to much of central North Carolina from Saturday afternoon into early Monday, raising concerns for dangerous travel and power disruptions.
Conditions remain quiet today, with highs climbing into the upper 50s around Raleigh. That warmth fades quickly. Colder air settles in Friday night, dropping temperatures into the 20s and locking in a shallow cold layer near the ground. According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, confidence is increasing that widespread mixed precipitation will develop once moisture arrives this weekend.
Snow and sleet may begin Saturday afternoon before intensifying Saturday night. By Sunday, freezing rain becomes a growing concern, especially across the Triangle and surrounding counties. Ice accretion on trees and power lines could be significant in spots, increasing the risk for outages. Bridges and overpasses are expected to turn slick early, even before roads fully freeze.
Travel could become hazardous along I-40, I-440, I-540, and U.S. 1 as precipitation rates increase. Visibility may drop during heavier bursts of snow or sleet. Flash freezing is possible where precipitation briefly tapers or temperatures dip after daytime mixing.
Wintry precipitation may linger into early Monday before tapering from west to east. Cold air remains in place, keeping untreated roads icy through the morning commute. Officials urge residents to delay travel if possible and prepare for prolonged impacts.
Looking ahead, colder-than-normal temperatures persist into midweek, while another active system may approach later next week.
Seeing icy spots already forming in your area? Let us know what conditions look like near you.
Five-Day Outlook for Raleigh, North Carolina
- Friday: Mostly cloudy, chance of rain late, high near 50°F
- Saturday: Snow and sleet developing, high near 29°F
- Sunday: Freezing rain and wintry mix, high near 30°F
- Monday: Lingering ice early, then mostly sunny, high near 34°F
- Tuesday: Sunny and cold, high near 34°F
