The Carolinas brace for blast of ice and snow

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The National Weather Service is telling parts of North Carolina to expect a major winter storm during the weekend and last into next week.

Forecasters at the weather service office in Raleigh say the storm moving across the Southeast brings a high likelihood of wintry precipitation and significant impacts to central North Carolina.

Locally, Moore County is currently under a Hazardous Weather Outlook. Friday morning’s forecast from the NWS said a strong storm system will enter the area beginning Saturday and will stick around through Monday ‘as cold surface high pressure extends in from the north.’

Wintry precipitation is possible in our area with the greatest chance early Sunday morning into the afternoon and picking up again Monday through Monday night.  “Some accumulations of snow and ice are possible,” said NWS.

The system may bring in rain after 4 p.m. Saturday with a chance for sleet beginning 3 a.m. and snow likely after 4 a.m.  Less than one inch of sleet and snow during this time is predicted.

Sunday morning’s forecast for Moore County is calling for snow before 8 a.m. changing to sleet between 8 and 9 a.m. with rain after 9 a.m.  NWS said snow and sleet accumulation of 2 to 4 inches are possible.  Sunday evening forecast is calling for rain.

Rain will continue into Monday for the county with a chance for rain and sleet after 3 p.m.  There is a chance of snow and sleet before 7 p.m.

According to the weather service, travel will be hazardous where the wintry precipitation is expected, especially on Sunday. There is also the threat of power outages as soggy soil, accumulation of snow and ice and gusty winds could bring down trees and take power lines with them.

As North Carolina prepares for the winter storm the governor calls “the real thing,” he has activated the National Guard plans to declare a state of emergency.

Gov. Roy Cooper said at a briefing Friday that the impacts from the weekend storm will vary across the state, with forecasters calling for up to 18 inches of snow in the mountains and possible flooding at the coast. He says a storm of this magnitude is rare so early in the season.

Officials expect travel to be treacherous and de-icing operations are underway in more than 60 counties. Cooper warns residents to prepare to stay put for a few days.

This article was written with the help of The Associated Press.

Copyright 2018, The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Feature photo: Downtown Aberdeen during a snow storm in January.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email