Charlotte preps for winter storm

Row of Single Family Homes on Residential Street in Western New York During Early Winter

Source: Grace Cary / Getty

Ice, snow, sleet, and rain are expected in parts of the Carolinas on Wednesday and Thursday, with a complex forecast creating uncertainty about accumulation.

Officials are preparing for impacts on roads, airports, schools, and power companies, with schools potentially announcing schedule changes. Charlotte is expected to see minimal accumulation but enough for icy and slippery roads.

Local meteorologists are calling for a mix of snow and ice expected, noting that winter storms in Charlotte rarely bring all snow.

A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for the Charlotte region from 6 a.m. to noon Wednesday, with a 70% chance of snow and a 50% chance of a mix of snow and freezing rain.

Bitterly cold air from the northwest will combine with a new storm system on Wednesday, leading to wintry precipitation impacts primarily.

Several schools around the Carolinas are closing, delaying, or switching to remote learning on Wednesday, Feb. 19, due to winter storm conditions. Mecklenburg County School has not announced anything yet.

Accumulation is not expected to be significant in the area, with up to an inch possible in some areas.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for the area, with the heaviest accumulations expected along and north of U.S. 64.

Power outages are likely in areas where heavy ice accumulates, especially south and east of Raleigh. The Triangle could see snow showers starting around 10 a.m. Wednesday, with accumulations of 2 to 3 inches by late Wednesday night.