Winter storm update: 11 inches of snow forecast in NC mountains, all rain in Charlotte.
The North Carolina mountains could see up to 11 inches of snow this weekend from a wintry weather system, while Charlotte is no longer forecast to see even flurries on Sunday, National Weather Service meteorologists said Saturday.
NWS forecasters thought early risers in the Queen City would see a snow and rain mix, but the NWS office in Greer, South Carolina, revised that prediction later Friday to all rain.
NWS meteorologists on Saturday said they expect a low of 36 overnight in Charlotte, four degrees above freezing, when snow forms.
With not a trace having fallen so far this winter, Charlotte has been on pace to set a winter-weather record., the Observer previously reported
Never before has the city gone without snow in winter, at least since 1879, when the government started keeping track, NWS records show.
Charlotte has a 100% chance of rain on Sunday, according to the NWS Charlotte forecast at 8 a.m. Saturday. Strong winds are expected during the night, with gusts up to 34 mph.
Governor: Roads could turn dangerous
Drivers across the mountains should monitor the local forecast, as accumulating snow could make for hazardous travel, Gov. Roy Cooper and state emergency leaders urged Friday.
“Parts of Western North Carolina may experience intense winter weather from the upcoming storm,” Cooper said in a statement. “North Carolinians should prepare by making sure they have any necessary medications, food and emergency equipment.”
At 4:15 a.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for eight North Carolina mountain counties, meaning “significant amounts of snow, sleet, and ice are expected.”
The warning is in effect from 7 p.m. Saturday to midnight Sunday night.
Up to 11 inches of snow, a 10th of an inch of ice and 40-mph gusts are predicted in Avery, Yancey, Mitchell and Haywood counties, according to the warning.
That includes the cities and towns of Banner Elk, Newland, Burnsville, Spruce Pine, Waynesville and Canton.
Up to 10 inches of snow could dump on parts of Madison, Swain, Buncombe, Graham, Jackson, Macon, and Transylvania counties, according to the warning.
Those counties include Asheville, Black Mountain, Candler, Robbinsville, Bryson City, Sylva and Franklin.
“Strong winds are also possible,” according to the warning. “This will make travel very hazardous or impossible.
Ski resorts, however, are in luck, meteorologist Christiaan Patterson of the NWS office in Greer, South Carolina, told The Charlotte Observer Thursday night.
Avery County includes the popular ski slopes at Sugar Mountain Resort and Beech Mountain Resort, 110 to 115 miles northwest of Charlotte.
Charlotte weather
After an expected high of 56 on Saturday, Sunday’s high is predicted to drop to 42 degrees, according to the NWS.
Highs should then dramatically rebound, to 60 Monday, 61 Tuesday, 63 Wednesday and 72 Thursday, the forecast showed. Friday’s high could drop to 60, NWS meteorologists said.
All sunshine is forecast for Monday and mostly sunny skies Tuesday. Skies could turn cloudy on Wednesday, while a 50% chance of showers returns Thursday morning and afternoon and a 70% chance Thursday night, according to the NWS.
This story was originally published February 10, 2023 at 9:09 AM.