RALEIGH
As much as 8 inches of snow could be coming to the Triangle this weekend as forecasters predict a winter storm will head for central North Carolina.
The National Weather Service on Monday warned of “at least minor to moderate impacts” from a potential “wintry mix of freezing rain and snow.”
The weather service later said the chance of “moderate impacts from the potential winter storm this weekend“ had increased to 50% to 60% and that it would provide more details Tuesday.
In this 2018 file photo, a snow plow plows in Carrboro. Julia Wall News & Observer file photo
In the meantime, several forecasters and weather apps are already predicting snow for Saturday and Sunday. The Weather Channel estimates accumulation of 5 to 8 inches of snow Saturday night after a mixture of rain and snow earlier in the day.
On Sunday, The Weather Channel’s forecast calls for snow showers in the morning and a potential accumulation of another 1 to 3 inches.
With several days to go, snowfall predictions vary. Weather Underground calls for a more modest 3 to 5 inches of snow and ice on Saturday night, followed by 1 to 3 inches Sunday.
Kevin Miller looks out of the passenger window of his friend’s car as they sit stuck in afternoon traffic on Feb. 12, 2014, after snow and ice caused massive traffic jams in Raleigh. Scott Sharpe [email protected]
Temperatures are expected to be below normal throughout the coming week, except for Thursday, when highs will reach the upper 50s. High temperatures will remain in the 20s when the storm arrives on Saturday and Sunday, according to Accuweather, dropping into the teens at night.
Accuweather also predicts a 94% chance of precipitation Saturday, with “periods of snow, sleet and freezing rain.”
Mike Beaman climbs out of the igloo he built from blocks made by packing snow in a recycling container in the days following a storm that dumped two feet of snow on the Triangle in one January night in 2000. Scott Sharpe [email protected]
This story was originally published January 19, 2026 at 2:28 PM.
Kyle Ingram
The News & Observer
Kyle Ingram is the Democracy Reporter for the News & Observer. He reports on voting rights, election administration, the state judicial branch and more. He is a graduate of the Hussman School of Journalism and Media at UNC-Chapel Hill.
