Buckle up for an "impactful winter storm," Charlotte
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A view of Uptown after a snowfall in Charlotte on Jan. 21, 2025. Photo: Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images
Temperatures are expected to begin falling in Charlotte by the end of the week, with the weekend bringing the possibility of "an impactful winter storm," according to WBTV meteorologists.
- As of Wednesday afternoon, freezing rain and sleet are looking to be the main precipitation types for Charlotte, and snowfall accumulations are likelier the farther north you get, per WBTV.
Why it matters: The forecast could change, but the massive winter storm slated to pummel huge swaths of the country, including Charlotte, could cause dangerous road conditions, power outages, and school and business closures.
Details: Expect accumulating ice and snow across the Charlotte region on Saturday and into Sunday, and bitterly cold conditions are expected to linger into the beginning of next week, per WBTV.
- A winter storm watch is in place Saturday morning through Monday afternoon. On Wednesday, Gov. Stein declared a state of emergency in light of the upcoming winter storm.
- Total accumulation remains uncertain, but forecasts should become clearer in the coming days.
What they're saying: "Accumulations of ice and snow will yield hazardous road conditions and the risk of power outages Saturday through the start of next week," WBTV meteorologist Rachel Coulter told Axios.
Zoom in: Jeff Brooks, a spokesperson for Duke Energy, told Axios that the utility company is still watching the forecast evolve for the "significant storm event" expected in the Carolinas this weekend.
- "Customers should make plans for a potentially multi-day outage situation," Brooks said.
- It takes 6–8 inches of snow to bring down a tree limb, but only 0.25 inches of ice, he said. Charlotte-based Duke Energy has about 4 million customers in North Carolina.
