Winter Storm Watch in place for central NC starting Friday
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Winter Storm Watch is now in place for the Triangle as a system that could bring our first measurable snow heads to North Carolina.
The watch has been issued for the entire viewing area Friday afternoon through Saturday morning for snow potential of 1-3+ inches, sleet, and ice concerns.
Clouds increase during the day Friday, with wintry precipitation expected to move into the region by Friday evening. The general idea at this time is that precipitation starts off as mainly snow and sleet at the onset late Friday afternoon and evening, then mixes with sleet and freezing rain later Friday night into Saturday morning.
Precipitation ends Saturday morning. Snow/sleet accumulations at this time look to be around 1 to 3 inches with ice accretions of 0.10" to 0.25 inches still possible as well. Ice accumulations near and south of RDU will be temperature dependent.
Who will see snow?
- 1-3" of snow and sleet across most of central NC
- More ice south of the Triangle
Regardless of whether there is more freezing rain than snow/sleet or the other way around, later parts of the evening commute on Friday can get a bit dicey, and those issues likely linger into Saturday morning before temperatures rise above freezing.
Black ice will be a concern Saturday night and Sunday night.
With this storm, power outages are possible on Friday and Saturday.
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Beyond Saturday, dry conditions prevail through much of the remainder of the forecast period.
Temperatures will fall into the 20s Saturday night, which will allow for icy spots to develop.
Black ice will be a big concern on Saturday and Sunday nights.
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Forecast for the week
Thursday: Sunny, frigid breeze. High of 38 but it will feel more like 30.
First Alert Friday: Friday night into Saturday: A winter storm arrives Friday evening and stays with us through Saturday morning, then tapers off Saturday afternoon. Most of the region will start off briefly as snow then quickly transition to a mix of sleet and/or freezing rain from the Triangle and areas north. Areas south of the Triangle will be mostly (if not entirely) rain.
Sunday-Tuesday: Plenty of sunshine with highs in the mid to upper 40s.
