1/24/26 – Updates from the NC Business Emergency Operations Center

*The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and Regional Coordination Centers (RCCs) remain activated in anticipation of winter storm impacts. Multiple counties have declared a State of Emergency and have opened their county EOCs. Warming stations and shelters are expected to continue opening across the state throughout the day. A press conference was held at 1130 this morning, 24 January, to provide additional updates and guidance. – https://5blwdbdbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001yXv_nNV_WDBlm7bBPdS7yE1wb2_afJL83o9HplQHRuJ7BzRW1RwhOWUl6DaB4rLlQ8ztrPHsGRPVwzEhGErRWFDedP-6sv4o1Xiokgjz-dsAIka4Tc1nfxyjRLbgs2VInA_gpUZCSl5UE2wc8ZZFiZaAXfdcvSOMa-7AU7jZoVYWAWhgBwQ48OEsFJqX1l8m9vw7DpA7hHBH5N1hYZ563Y1WYEBx1JjtZ7rIDx8iW4BtFd5RDCmfqM0o4ddEcmmm&c=RCDYD7CRyzLHGjJXTsHn8UGRfrUc4YvJ24N_kItUNmPRNUC5YZDWhA==&ch=uKJIWpECskg2gHev7p-ehJRV-dDUF0fZGrJ3743nMCmoWHM1wVWghQ==

*SUMMARY:

A significant winter storm is expected to impact much of NC beginning today and lingering into early Monday where a wintry mix of snow, sleet, and significant freezing rain accumulation is forecast for much of NC. Dangerously cold temperatures are forecast through next week and may allow impacts to linger, especially for areas that receive the most accumulation. Avoid traveling this weekend and ensure you are prepared for significant winter weather impacts and the potential for power outages across your area.

An Ice Storm Warning will go into effect across the southern mountains and SW Piedmont at 1PM Saturday and remain in effect through midday Monday. A Winter Storm Warning will go into effect across the northern mountains into the Triad region by midday Saturday and remain in effect through midday Monday. The Winter Storm Warning, Ice Storm Warning and Winter Weather Advisory will go into effect at 7PM Saturday and remain in effect through midday Monday. Snow, sleet, and significant icing is possible within these areas. Accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause widespread and long-lasting power outages. ?
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A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect for portions of eastern NC through Saturday afternoon where wind chills as low as 2-10F are expected. ?
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A Wind Advisory is in effect along the Outer Banks through noon Saturday where gusts up to 45-50 mph are expected.

Impactful wintry precipitation arrives today across NC and will continue into Monday morning. Precipitation is forecast to begin by early morning or mid-day across the mountains, spreading east through the afternoon and evening. Precipitation may briefly start as rain for portions of the mountain before transitioning quickly to snow or sleet and then freezing rain through Sunday. A snow/sleet mix may start across central and eastern NC with a transition to sleet overnight and freezing rain through Sunday night across central NC. A change over to rain is expected across much of eastern NC Saturday night into Sunday and may reach as far east as the Sandhills and south-central Coastal Plain by Sunday evening. All precipitation should come to an end from west to east early Monday morning as a cold front passes the region. ?
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As warm air moves into the southwestern mountains along the frontal boundary Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening, a brief period of moderate to heavy rainfall is possible. A Marginal Risk (level 1 of 4) for isolated flash flooding is in place as rainfall may cause ice to block drainage infrastructure. ?
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While some snow is forecast, most snow/sleet accumulation will likely come from sleet. The greatest snow/sleet accumulation is across the NW Piedmont and Mountains, where up to 2-4” is forecast. Elsewhere, a trace to 1” is possible except for the southeastern areas of the Coastal Plain where little to no snow/sleet accumulation is forecast. ?
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The greatest impacts will be from ice accumulations, which are forecast for much of the state over the weekend. Areas along the escarpment and near the GA and SC line have the greatest chance for elevated flat ice accumulations up to 0.75”- 1”+. Elsewhere across the mountains, widespread elevated flat ice accumulations up to 0.5”- 0.75” are forecast with 0.25” – 0.5” in the NW, where the most sleet is expected. ?
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For areas across the western Piedmont and into the southern Triad region, elevated flat ice accumulations of 0.5” – 0.75” are forecast along with portions of the northern Coastal Plain. Elsewhere in the Piedmont region, 0.25” – 0.5” are forecast.?
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Lesser elevated flat ice amounts of 0.1” – 0.25” is possible across inland areas of the Coastal Plain with little to no flat ice accumulation along the coast. ?
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Breezy conditions are possible Saturday with wind gusts up to 20 – 25 mph possible and higher gusts along the coast. Wind gusts lessen to 15 – 20 mph across much of NC on Sunday, with the highest gusts of up to 40 mph across the mountains. ?
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Gusty winds in combination with ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause increased power outages. Be sure to charge your phone and devices in advance so that you are able to receive alerts.?
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Avoid travel over the weekend into Monday. Be sure to clear your car of any snow or ice to allow visibility if you must drive. Keep enough non-perishable food, water, and medications for at least 3 days. Ensure you have warm clothing and blankets as well as an updated first aid/emergency kit. Also, don’t forget about your pets.?
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Dangerously cold temperatures are forecast through next week, with low temperatures dipping into single digits to below zero in some locations Monday night and teens and 20s through Wednesday. Wind chills are forecast to be much lower into next week, especially across the mountains. A reinforcing cold front will move through mid-week continuing below normal temperatures. A Cold Weather Advisory or Extreme Cold Watch/Warning may be needed.
Cold temperatures may lead to hypothermia or frost bite, so take appropriate precautions. Remember to keep generators outdoors and at least 20 ft. away from entry points to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
https://5blwdbdbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001yXv_nNV_WDBlm7bBPdS7yE1wb2_afJL83o9HplQHRuJ7BzRW1RwhOSySMLe339DkwiS6CzGD6D3mONRxcKWRfJVB1xZSGgfc6cIKkFG38K7AKzbh7gNEGg6G_b_DTXClO5u-jJvvl88YXjSpvbrw1PF0aQIGfWmgf-TWvkdGO7R0jUnZeho12_qDcOosFFiMzVYJ9foEQZE7J29PGqZ7xxKDr-GFJMyEGUSe3d7NknEbFmnA0pFfnb79A-n90K0R&c=RCDYD7CRyzLHGjJXTsHn8UGRfrUc4YvJ24N_kItUNmPRNUC5YZDWhA==&ch=uKJIWpECskg2gHev7p-ehJRV-dDUF0fZGrJ3743nMCmoWHM1wVWghQ==

*NC Power Outage Map: https://5blwdbdbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001yXv_nNV_WDBlm7bBPdS7yE1wb2_afJL83o9HplQHRuJ7BzRW1RwhOX87IElpMIQKglsc6PxLQAN07Hb0AC–JCST_SlVf_C-EloItLNwvZGiuwGYHyBbdlwuK3X34XhCuxUqV6UtN1dp1sJJa1k-G5swPPCfM_y6BtBy29qYqQbBRvzVoX1haB4WwSha5ugYa3XdfSgSQj0=&c=RCDYD7CRyzLHGjJXTsHn8UGRfrUc4YvJ24N_kItUNmPRNUC5YZDWhA==&ch=uKJIWpECskg2gHev7p-ehJRV-dDUF0fZGrJ3743nMCmoWHM1wVWghQ==

*NCDOT Closures, Conditions & Detours: https://5blwdbdbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001yXv_nNV_WDBlm7bBPdS7yE1wb2_afJL83o9HplQHRuJ7BzRW1RwhOXclh6YrcYF-GCnDT2ubbU87avIK8-ivybhU2c9GUCcsKAoE9uG4ll9fVw-xWNICBvDGhm_Egh6sayPQVxqOVjBKCsJqiS9USg==&c=RCDYD7CRyzLHGjJXTsHn8UGRfrUc4YvJ24N_kItUNmPRNUC5YZDWhA==&ch=uKJIWpECskg2gHev7p-ehJRV-dDUF0fZGrJ3743nMCmoWHM1wVWghQ==