Raleigh, North Carolina – A potentially high-impact winter storm is expected to affect all of central North Carolina beginning Saturday afternoon, with snow, sleet, and freezing rain combining to create dangerous travel conditions and the risk of widespread power outages through Monday afternoon.
According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, a Winter Storm Watch remains in effect from Saturday afternoon through Monday afternoon for the entire central portion of the state. Confidence is increasing in widespread mixed precipitation that could result in moderate to major disruptions across infrastructure and transportation networks.
The watch includes the Triangle, Triad, and Sandhills regions, affecting communities such as Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Burlington, Fayetteville, Goldsboro, Rocky Mount, Wilson, Sanford, and Southern Pines. Roads are expected to become slick quickly, particularly bridges and overpasses along Interstates 40, 85, 95, and U.S. 1. Ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs could lead to prolonged outages in both urban and rural areas.
Forecasters warn that even small amounts of ice can significantly impact travel in central North Carolina. Residents are urged to complete preparations before the weekend, delay non-essential travel once precipitation begins, and ensure emergency supplies are ready. The storm’s impacts may extend into the Monday commute, and watches could be upgraded as confidence in snow and ice totals continues to increase.
