Charlotte could see a dangerous 0.75 inches of ice through Monday afternoon from a storm expected to move into the region late Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, the National Weather Service reported.
National Weather Service
Hundreds of incoming and outgoing flights were cancelled at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Saturday ahead of an ice storm expected to shut down the region into Monday.
By 4 p.m. Saturday, at least 448 flights were cancelled, most all of them on American Airlines and its affiliated carriers, according to tracking site Flight Aware.
“CLT will remain open and operational, but travelers should expect significant impacts across the network,” airport officials posted on X at 11:30 a.m.
Charlotte can expect up to a debilitating three-quarters of an inch of ice from the winter storm forecast to bring freezing rain to Mecklenburg and surrounding counties late Saturday through Sunday, National Weather Service meteorologists said.
“A major ice storm is still on tap,” NWS forecasters said on Facebook at 7 a.m. Saturday. ”Make sure to finish any preparations today. Precipitation rates ramp up this evening.”
“Significant ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause widespread and long-lasting power outages,” according to an NWS ice warning bulletin. “Trees and large limbs could fall on structures, posing threat to life and property.”
“Ice and snow covered roadways will become treacherous and impassable,” the NWS said.
Hazardous conditions could affect Monday’s commute, forecasters said.
Some light sleet, mixing with rain, began moving into the Charlotte area Saturday afternoon, but the heaviest sleet isn’t expected until between 8 p.m. and midnight, NWS meteorologist Trisha Palmer told The Charlotte Observer just before 5 p.m.
The Grady Cole Recreation Center, 310 N. Kings Drive in Charlotte, will open as a winter storm shelter at 7 p.m. “for anyone who needs a warm, safe place to go,” according to a Mecklenburg County government statement Saturday afternoon.
“Bring warm clothes, toiletries, medication, blankets, snacks, phone and charger if you can,” officials said.
Duke Energy said more than 18,000 workers are ready across the Carolinas to respond to outages from the storm. Workers include “company and contract crews, vegetation teams and support staff from 27 states and Canada,” the company posted on X. “Restoration will begin when conditions are safe.”
Light snow and sleet moved across the Appalachians into the western Carolinas around 8:30 a.m. Saturday, the National Weather Service reported.
“Impacts will be relatively low this morning, but cooling temps set the stage for much greater winter impacts later this afternoon and evening,” NWS meteorologists said on social media site X.
A state of emergency began at noon for Mecklenburg County and “will remain until it’s safe to end it,” the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office posted on X.
The declaration allows for increased public safety staffing and bans price increases.
The town of Davidson activated its emergency operations center at 6 a.m. Saturday. “Public safety personnel are in place to respond to emergencies throughout the weather event,” according to a town news release.
At 1 p.m., the town of Mooresville closed all public town buildings, including the Charles Mack Citizen Center, Mooresville Public Library east and west branches, Mooresville Skate Park and all recreation centers.
Sunday night’s concert by Swedish rock band Ghost at the Spectrum Center was among scores of events cancelled due to the storm.
Snow crews at Charlotte Douglas International Airport prepares for Winter Storm Fern. Charlotte Douglas International Airport
White House approves NC emergency declaration
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein on Saturday said the White House approved his request for a statewide emergency declaration. That will enable the state to get more generators to hospitals and shelters, access emergency fuel for state vehicles responding to storm incidents, and get U.S. Forest Service help clearing roads in state forests, Stein said at a news conference.
“We are grateful for their partnership and quick response,” Stein said on X.
Once the storm hits, stay home and off the roads, “unless absolutely necessary,” Stein urged.
“Be prepared for potential power outages, and make sure you have a plan to stay warm and in contact with loved ones,” the governor said.
Workers at Charlotte Douglas International Airport are preparing equipment ahead of Winter Storm Fern. Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Charlotte forecast: Single-digit lows
Charlotte has a 100% chance of freezing rain and sleet late Saturday and early Sunday, and a 100% chance of freezing rain mixed with sleet on Sunday, according to the NWS Charlotte forecast.
A de-icer truck makes its way through the Lockwood neighborhood on Friday, January 23, 2026 in preparation for winter weather, including ice, expected in the Charlotte area this weekend. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez [email protected]
“The sleet could be heavy at times” late Saturday and early Sunday, according to the forecast.
All freezing rain is forecast after noon Sunday, “with new ice accumulation of 0.2 to 0.4 of an inch possible,” the forecast showed. “New sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.”
The NWS forecasts highs of 34 on Saturday and 31 on Sunday, and lows of 21 late Saturday and early Sunday and 28 late Sunday and early Monday.
Monday should be mostly sunny, with a high near 38, although the low could plummet to 8 degrees late Monday and early Tuesday, 17 degrees late Tuesday and early Wednesday, 18 late Wednesday and early Thursday and 12 degrees late Thursday and early Friday, according to the NWS.
“The cold lingering into next Monday will impact folks’ ability to travel,” Stein said at Saturday’s news conference.
Drivers should check DriveNC.gov for the latest road conditions in their areas, he said.
Here’s the latest forecast on storm total snow/sleet and ice accumulations today through Sunday night. A major ice storm is still on tap. Make sure to finish any preparations today. Precipitation rates ramp up this evening.#ncwx #scwx #gawx pic.twitter.com/B0qYQQmdgS
— NWS GSP (@NWSGSP) January 24, 2026
This is a developing story that will be updated.
This story was originally published January 24, 2026 at 10:34 AM.
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Joe Marusak
The Charlotte Observer
Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. He currently reports on breaking news.
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