Snow, freezing rain could slicken roads in NC mountains, forecasters warn
A “wintry mix” of snow, sleet and freezing rain could ice up roads again this weekend in the North Carolina mountains and foothills, National Weather Service meteorologists warned Saturday afternoon.
The bad weather was originally expected to stretch early Sunday along the Interstate 40 corridor into Catawba, Iredell and Rowan counties, according to a NWS hazardous weather outlook bulletin at 4 a.m. Saturday.
NWS meteorologists said the expected path of the wintry mix shifted Saturday afternoon. At 2 p.m., forecasters said they expected light accumulations only in the S.C. and N.C. mountains, including Asheville, Blowing Rock and Boone, and Winston-Salem in the Piedmont Triad.
“Any freezing rain, sleet, or brief snow in the pre-dawn hours could quickly lead to slippery roadways given surface temperatures at or below the freezing mark in many locations,” NWS forecasters said in an updated ulletin.
Just two days before the official start of winter on Monday, the wintry mix is expected to stay well west and north of Mecklenburg County, according to the latest NWS forecast at 3 p.m. Saturday.
Any precipitation in Charlotte would fall as rain, meteorologists said. Charlotte’s airport has a 50% chance of rain, according to the forecast.
A low of 35 degrees is forecast in Charlotte early Sunday. That’s three degrees above freezing, which is when snow can form.
A similar wintry mix struck the I-40 corridor earlier in the week, forcing delays to the start of classes in the Iredell-Statesville Schools.
Christmas Day forecast
Snow lovers hoping for the fluffy stuff in Charlotte on Christmas Day, next Friday, may be out of luck, according to the area forecast by the NWS office in Greer, S.C.
While another weather system is predicted to bring showers to Charlotte on Thursday, Christmas Day should be mostly sunny with a high near 41, according to the NWS.
This story was originally published December 19, 2020 at 12:30 PM.