Charlotte could get a half an inch of ice during winter storm, forecasters say

UPDATE: For ice estimates as of Friday, click: Ice projections continue to rise for Charlotte as storm nears.

The original story is below.

Charlotte’s winter storm forecast is coming into focus, and it appears Mecklenburg County is likely to get ice with a frosting of snow on top.

More than a half an inch of ice (0.57 of an inch) and up to an inch of snow could accumulate in the area between 7 a.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

The end result will be dangerous roads, slippery sidewalks, falling tree limbs and power outages due to downed power lines.

“This storm is a rare, high-impact storm for the South. Heavy ice accumulations followed by a deep freeze can lock in dangerous conditions long after the storm passes,” AccuWeather reported Thursday.

“This storm may bring vastly different impacts across short distances. Changes in elevation, temperature and the storm track could be the difference between snow, ice, sleet, freezing rain or rain in the span of just 50 miles. This is a slower-moving storm compared to others we have seen in recent weeks. The freezing rain, ice and snow impacts could last 24 to 36 hours in some places.”

A Winter Storm Watch issued for the Carolinas covers Saturday morning though Monday morning, and it reports parts of the watch area could see “total snow and sleet accumulations between 1 and 3 inches and ice accumulations between one half and one inch.”

The wintry mix of sleet, freezing rain and snow will reach the Charlotte area Saturday afternoon, and it will be accompanied by 25 mph gusts.

There is a 100% chance of freezing rain after sunset Saturday when temperatures fall to 20 degrees, and it will continue through Sunday night. The high Sunday will be 30 degrees and the low will be 23.

The chance of precipitation falls to 80% after sunset Sunday, resulting in the freezing rain turning to snow after midnight, forecasters say.

“Locations of Upstate SC and into the NC Piedmont have a 40-50% chance of total ice accumulations greater than 0.5 (of an inch). As for snow, the likelihood of snow accumulations greater than 4 inches are 35-45% for locations north of I-40,” the National Weather Service says.

“But the main focus at this time should be preparations for a significant winter storm. ... Wintry precipitation, whether its ice, sleet, or snow are going to have widespread impacts making for hazardous travel and power outages that could last for days.”

Forecast maps show more than a half an inch of ice could from to the west of Charlotte in cities like Franklin.

Meanwhile, snow chances will increase to the northwest, with two inches in Boone and North Wilkesboro, and 3 inches in Clemmons.

People are being encouraged to delay all travel and to use “extreme caution” when venturing out during the storm, forecasters say.

Governor Josh Stein declared a State of Emergency as North Carolina prepares for storm impacts, including pre-treating roads, bridges and overpasses with brine.

“Roadway conditions are expected to deteriorate early Saturday and could remain hazardous for several days after the storm due to the sustained subfreezing temperatures that are expected throughout the next week,” according to a news release from the Office of the Governor.

This story was originally published January 22, 2026 at 5:42 AM.