RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – The CBS 17 Storm Team has issued an Alert Day from Tuesday into Wednesday due to the bitter cold temperatures and chance of light snow.
On Monday morning, the National Weather Service issued a cold weather advisory for Monday night through Tuesday at 10 a.m. due to the risk of single-digit wind chills. This comes after an arctic front on Sunday night, allowing very cold and dry air to move into central North Carolina this week.
Dangerous cold for days
High temperatures this time of year are usually in the 50s. We'll be in the low 30s through Thursday. Mornings will be in the teens and 20s. Milder temperatures will return this weekend, allowing us to thaw out from the deep freeze.
Staying safe
Central North Carolina isn't used to this arctic air, so it's important to check on your neighbors and stay safe by layering up. Frostbite and hypothermia can occur if unprotected skin is exposed to these temperatures.
According to the National Weather Service, the best ways to stay safe in the cold are the following:
- Stay indoors during the worst part of the extreme cold
- Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing and a hat
- Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves
- Have a winter weather survival kit in your vehicle
- Check tire pressure, antifreeze levels, heater/defroster
- Bring pets and plants indoors
- Check on elderly
Snow chance Tuesday night through Wednesday morning
While the cold is here, a winter storm will be moving across the deep south from Louisiana to the Carolinas on Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing us the chance of light snow for the second time this month. This storm system has yet to develop in the Gulf of Mexico, but will form by late Monday. The track of this winter storm will be unique, and more south and east, bringing the best chance of snow over coastal North Carolina and South Carolina.
Totals: trace to two inches
Usually, higher totals during winter weather events are set up along the I-85 corridor, but this time it will be east of I-95. In the Triangle, expect a trace of up to one inch of snow, while areas east of I-95 will see between one and two inches.
Totals will greatly depend on where the snow-to-no-snow line sets up. The further west you go, the lower the snow totals with this winter weather event.
We expect snow to begin in our southern counties as early as 8 p.m. Tuesday. It will become widespread over the Triangle by 11 p.m. before ending around 4 a.m. on Wednesday. This system won't have a lot of moisture to work with and will be moving fast, keeping snow totals down.
CBS 17 Storm Alert Day: Tuesday and Wednesday
The CBS 17 Storm Team is keeping Tuesday and Wednesday Alert Days due to the dangerous cold and the potential of slick roads on Wednesday morning after the snow moves out of the area.
Roads could be slick, especially over bridges and overpasses. Highs only Wednesday won't get to freezing, so the chance of slick roads could linger into Thursday.
Stay tuned to the forecast and for updates.