‘Snow likely’ for Charlotte area Wednesday, forecasters say. Here’s what to expect
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein declared a state of emergency Tuesday as the odds of snow and freezing rain increased for the Charlotte region and everywhere else across the state.
“Most of North Carolina will be impacted by this storm, and our greatest concerns are potential power outages and road safety,” Stein said in a statement.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools switched to remote learning Wednesday and canceled all extracurricular activities, athletics and facilities use.
Avoid roads when the storm arrives on Wednesday and keep your devices charged, Stein urged drivers and others.
The North Carolina National Guard activated at least 180 members to help communities statewide, Stein said.
Snow, freezing rain chances for Charlotte
The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory from 6 a.m. Wednesday through noon Thursday for Charlotte, the Carolinas mountains and Upstate South Carolina.
Charlotte has a 70% chance of snow showers, possibly mixed with sleet, between noon and 5 p.m. Wednesday, and a 50% chance of snow from 10 p.m. until after midnight, according to the NWS Charlotte forecast at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Another half-inch of snow showers could fall before 7 a.m. Thursday, the forecast showed.
Up to 1 1/2 inches of snow could fall in Charlotte Wednesday through Thursday morning, according to the NWS. Skies should clear by Thursday night.
The Charlotte forecast originally called for snow and freezing rain on Wednesday. Freezing rain is more dangerous than sleet to drivers because it forms a layer of ice on roads, according to the NWS.
Some spots to the north and west of Mecklenburg County could see up to two inches of snow and ice, NWS forecasters said.
Snow is predicted to fall on roads that are above freezing during the day Wednesday, so impact on travel could be minimal, forecasters said.
However, wet surfaces will start to freeze when temperatures fall to 27 degrees Wednesday night, according to the NWS.
Charlotte has a 30% chance of snow before 7 a.m. Thursday.
Highway crews apply deicing mixture to roads
NWS meteorologists warned of ice accumulations.
“Icing may create slippery conditions on roads, bridges and sidewalks,” according to an NWS bulletin early Tuesday. “The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes.”
Charlotte Area Transit System riders should check the Inclement Weather page on RideTransit.org for real-time bus route service alerts. CATS will give free rides to warming shelters in Mecklenburg County Wednesday through Friday.
State highway crews began brining Charlotte-area roads on Monday and continued to apply the ice- and snow-melt mixture of salt and water on Tuesday.
The NWS forecasts a high of 37 on Thursday, which should speed thawing of ice on surfaces. The low Thursday is predicted to be 19 degrees.
Statewide, at least 1,500 N.C. Department of Transportation employees have pre-treated roads. As of Tuesday morning, crews spread 1.8 million gallons of brine on hundreds of miles of interstates, highways and secondary roads, Stein said.
Staff Writer Mary Ramsey contributed.
This story was originally published February 18, 2025 at 5:44 AM.