A winter storm arrives late Wednesday morning, and significant impacts are likely in our area.
Precipitation likely begins after 8 or 9 a.m. Wednesday and will last off and on throughout the day.
Both Wednesday and Thursday will be WRAL Weather Alert Days due to travel impacts. Most snow falls north of Interstate 40, and accumulations north of the Triangle could exceed 2 inches. South of the Triangle, we expect a “mixed bag” of precipitation.
Keep reading below to see what we’re tracking, what the possible scenarios are and when we expect to know more.
Where am I on a map?
It’s important to know where you are on this map. This will alleviate any confusion as to “how much will I get?” or “when will it start?”
New snow-ice totals released Monday
Our first look at snow-ice totals and timing came out Monday afternoon.
The forecast could change, but right now snow totals up to 6 inches will be possible in our northern counties.
Here’s a look at projected snow amounts, subject to change:
- Roxboro and our northern counties could get 4-6 inches of snow
- Durham, Chapel Hill and Rocky Mount could get 2-4 inches of snow
- Raleigh could get 1-2 inches of snow and sleet
- Areas south of Raleigh, including Smithfield, Goldsboro and Fayetteville, could get less than 1 inch of snow and sleet
Here’s a look at freezing rain and ice accumulation:
- Areas east of the Triangle, including Wilson, Smithfield and Goldsboro, could get the most ice, up to 0.3 inches. Power outages will be possible.
- The Triangle and areas to the north, west and south will likely get under 0.2 inches of ice.
When does it start, and how will it affect me?
I do not think you’re going to wake up at 6 or 7 a.m. Wednesday to snow on the ground or ice in the trees. There’s some dry air to overcome at first. Therefore, we expect things to start up after 9 or 10 a.m.
From there, we’ll see the storm off-and-on for about a 9-to-12 hour time span.
Related Post
The main concern is the impact to travel – both on the road and in the air. That is almost a given. Power outages will be possible if ice totals get to 0.25 inches or above.
Who sees what?
The general trend is for there to be more snow north of I-40. This could be several inches – especially in the northeastern corner of our viewing area.
Durham may also see mostly snow, but in Raleigh, we expect more of an icy mix. A difference of one degree 3,000 feet above our heads makes the difference between snow, sleet and freezing rain. That’s why this is such a delicate forecast. A shift of 25 to 50 miles in the track of the storm makes a difference in the map you see below.
Are you concerned about power outages?
The areas in dark pink below need to be watched for potential power outages. If ice totals get toward 0.25 inches, which is possible, that adds at least 500 pounds of weight onto power lines.
What are your thoughts on schools, appointments, etc.?
That decision doesn’t come from us. That said, I would imagine there will be changes to school and/or scheduled appointments Wednesday and/or Thursday.
I have to travel Wednesday. What’s it looking like?
The coast sees more rain than anything else, although some inland areas could see some freezing rain too. The western half of the state will see some snow and sleet. If you can travel Tuesday evening, I think that’s your best bet for safety and timely purposes.
