BREAKING: A powerful winter storm is hitting North Carolina right now. Heavy snow is stacking up from Charlotte through the Piedmont. The wind is building. Arctic air is racing in behind the snow. Visibility is dropping fast. I am tracking this storm as it unfolds, and the next 48 hours will be tough.
What’s happening now
Intense snow bands are locked over Charlotte and nearby suburbs. Rates are high at times, and roads are turning slick within minutes. Plows and salt trucks cannot keep up on side streets. Main highways are also slow. The I-85 and I-77 corridors are hot spots for quick icing and spinouts.
In the mountains, upslope snow has kicked in. Gusts are lifting powder and creating drifts along higher ridges. Some gaps and passes are facing whiteout bursts. At the coast, a cold wind is pushing in. Light snow or a wintry mix is possible on the inland side of the sounds. Most beaches stay wet and windy, then turn sharply colder tonight.
Blizzard-like whiteouts can hit with little notice. If you cannot see road lines, pull off safely and wait.
The next 24 to 48 hours
Arctic air will take over tonight. This is dry and bitter air that squeezes out the last flakes, then freezes everything left behind.
- This evening: Heavy snow tapers west to east. Winds rise, 30 to 45 miles per hour in gusts. Temperatures plunge.
- Overnight: Wind chills fall below zero in the mountains. Single digits to near zero in the Piedmont. Teens at the coast.
- Sunday morning: Widespread black ice, even where roads were cleared. Any melt refreezes on bridges and overpasses.
- Late Sunday into Monday: Skies clear, but the cold holds. Drifting snow lingers in exposed areas.
Power outages are possible where heavy, wet snow clings to trees and lines. The highest risk stretches from the southern foothills into the Charlotte metro and east toward the Sandhills. Crews will work as conditions allow, but the wind will slow repairs.
Travel and power, region by region
Mountains
Snow continues in waves with strong gusts. Expect drifting on the Blue Ridge and along the escarpment. Chains and true winter tires make a real difference. Avoid secondary roads at night. Power blips are possible where branches bend under the load.
Piedmont and Charlotte
The heaviest snow is crossing now and into the evening. Expect quick changes from wet to icy as the Arctic air arrives. Bridges, ramps, and shaded streets will glaze first. Trees are carrying weight, so scattered outages are likely. Keep phones charged and devices warm. If you lose power, layer clothing and close off unused rooms to hold heat.
Coastal Plain and Coast
Wind is the main story, with a quick drop in temperatures after rain or a brief mix. Standing water and spray can freeze inland, especially north of US-70. Bitter wind chills arrive by daybreak. Marinas and exposed bridges will be harsh for travel.
Use generators only outside, at least 20 feet from doors and windows. Never run them in a garage.
Why this storm packed a punch
Cold air came first and stayed put. That set the stage for snow to reach deep into central North Carolina. A coastal low tapped warm Atlantic moisture and threw it over the cold dome. This overlap made the snow more efficient and heavy.
Our winters are warming overall, yet they still bring sharp swings. Warmer oceans feed stronger storms with more moisture. When that moisture meets rare, strong cold, we get high-impact snow. The jet stream has been wavy this season, which helps deliver Arctic shots, then quick warm-ups. That whiplash stresses roads, power grids, and water systems.
Safety and sustainability in the cold
We ride out winter together. Small choices now protect health, the grid, and our waterways.
- Keep thermostats steady, not high. Close curtains and interior doors to hold heat.
- Space heaters need space. Three feet from anything that burns. Plug them directly into a wall.
- Use sand or kitty litter on walks. Avoid heavy rock salt near streams and pets.
- Clear storm drains and downspouts to prevent ice backups.
Check on neighbors, especially seniors and those without steady heat. Share warmth and spare supplies if you can.
If you must drive, go slow and leave extra room. Take a shovel, blanket, water, and a phone charger. If you slide, do not slam the brakes. Ease off, steer where you want to go, and find traction.
This storm will ease from west to east by late tomorrow, but the dangerous cold will linger. Black ice will be a repeat problem each morning until a true warm-up arrives. Stay patient, stay warm, and stay off the roads when you can. I will keep watching the bands and the wind, and I will update as the storm shifts.
