North Carolina Braces for Severe Winter Weather This Week

REIDSVILLE, N.C. — North Carolina residents are preparing for a week of winter storms beginning with a significant cool down and mixed precipitation expected on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings and advisories across various parts of the state ahead of the impending weather system, with potential impacts in the foothills and mountainous regions.

The weather shift follows a relatively warm weekend with temperatures reaching as high as 68 degrees on Sunday. However, by Monday afternoon, daytime highs have plummeted to the low 40s. Meteorologist Dylan Hudler noted, “We’ve had some clouds overhead, but the temperatures remain below average, making for a chilly day overall.”

Starting Tuesday morning, a combination of snow, sleet, and freezing rain is anticipated as the first system interacts with cold air at the surface. “Mainly affecting the mountains and foothills, we might even see some wintry precipitation north of Interstate 85,” Hudler said.

According to the National Weather Service, winter storm warnings are in effect for several counties in the North Carolina mountains and portions of southern Virginia, signaling the potential for accumulating ice and light snowfall. Those in the northern counties and foothills are under a winter weather advisory as they face similar threats.

As the weather system moves through, residents can expect conditions to worsen by Tuesday evening. “Expect a cold, soaking rain for the evening commute, particularly in the foothills, while the mountains continue to grapple with the impacts of ice,” Hudler added. The weather is expected to remain unsettled with another system set to arrive on Wednesday.

In total, forecasts estimate between 2 to 4 inches of rain over the course of the week. This rain is crucial for the region, which has seen dry conditions recently, but residents should remain vigilant about potential flooding in creeks and streams. “With heavy rain on top of already saturated ground, localized flooding is a real possibility,” Hudler cautioned.

Travel conditions will likely be hazardous during the upcoming storms, particularly in higher elevations where snow accumulations are expected. Hudler emphasized the risk of downed trees and power outages in those regions as well. “Travel will be difficult in the mountains, so we want everyone to be aware of the hazardous conditions,” he said.

Looking ahead, this winter weather pattern could persist, with more storms predicted later this week and into the weekend. Local forecasts will continue to update as conditions develop, but residents are urged to remain prepared and stay tuned for alerts regarding the evolving winter weather.