RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- First Alert-Winter Storm Impacts Wednesday: The potential exists for a significant winter storm with rain, snow, and ice over much of central North Carolina Wednesday through early Thursday. The eventual track of the storm will determine the types and amount of precipitation. Accumulation will end late Wednesday night, but significant impacts are expected to continue due to potential snow and ice accumulation. In addition, surface temperatures are only expected to rise marginally above freezing, bringing black ice Thursday night into Friday.
Good morning! Out-the-door temps are in the 30s. Today will be nearly 20 degrees cooler than yesterday, with highs 45 to 50 under mostly sunny skies. Under clear skies and calm winds tonight, temperatures will drop to the upper 20s, which will make for quite a chilly start to Tuesday morning.
Temps will climb into the low 50s Tuesday afternoon. The day will start out sunny, but clouds will start to move in through the day and into the night ahead of the approaching winter storm on Wednesday.
An upper trough will shift eastward from the Plains on Wednesday and a surface low will develop over the Central Gulf states, which will then move off the East coast and push northeastward Wednesday night. This has shifted snow and ice slightly more south, so we could see some snow mixing in now, along with the sleet and freezing rain. This will lead to dangerous travel conditions, and ice accumulation may lead to damaged trees and power outages.
Precipitation will end Wednesday night, then a breeze will pick up again with a tight pressure gradient over the region. Northwesterly flow will continue to keep temperatures in the mid 40s as well.
Temperatures will gradually rise through the weekend as ridging starts to build in. High pressure overhead, will also keep conditions on the quieter side as well.
Areas along and north of US-64 have the greatest chance of seeing 3 or more inches of snowfall
The highest probabilities for greater than 3 inches are along and north of I-85 and near the NC/VA state line
These probabilities are likely to change as guidance converges on a consistent track of the system.
Ice accumulation will be best for the Triangle and south into the Sandhills. This is where the best chance to see ice accumulation of 0.10 to 0.25" will be possible. These probabilities are likely to change as guidance converges on a consistent track of the system.
Have a great day!
Kweilyn