Bitter cold, coastal storm lead to ‘unique’ snow chance in North Carolina

The coldest air since Christmas Eve of 2022 is set to arrive in the upcoming week. Temperatures may not climb above freezing from Monday afternoon to Thursday morning.

At the same time, a storm system glides along the Gulf Coast and the East Coast, providing the chance of winter weather for areas that don’t often see it.

Let’s spend this story diving into what we’re tracking, why it’s unique and when we expect to learn more.

What are WRAL meteorologists watching?

We’re watching a system riding the East Coast. However, there’s a lot of dry air to the west that will limit how far inland the snow will reach.

We know it’s going to be really cold.

That said, the upper-level air pattern is out of sync and not pulling much moisture in our direction. Snow totals, if any, will be light for most of you reading this.

I went into extensive detail on the storm dynamics in this Facebook post Sunday.

How much snow are we getting?

A lot of snow-lovers are going to be bummed by this storm, seeing as it favors the coast.

One thing you should know is that anything that falls will stick. It’s cold – very cold. Even if you get a half an inch of snow, roads will be slick Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.

So for now, the greatest chance of wintry impacts (ie. slick roads and closures) is near and east of I-95.

Also, keep in mind that most any snow that does make it this far west will fall while most of us are asleep. You blink, and you miss it.

Check back for updates in the days ahead. As new data comes out and we look for any trends, we’ll pass that info along to you on the WRAL News app.

Snow at the Beach!

We’re used to talking about snow in the mountains and sunshine at the beach, but this storm system will be a complete opposite of that. In fact, some lesser-expected areas like Houston and New Orleans will cash in on more snow than our area.

Bitter cold, coastal storm lead to ‘unique’ snow chance in North Carolina

North Carolina residents are bracing for a potentially rare snow event as a coastal storm combined with bitter cold temperatures is set to bring wintry weather to the region. The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories for several counties, warning of the possibility of snow accumulation and treacherous road conditions.

This “unique” snow chance comes as a result of a coastal low pressure system interacting with the cold air mass currently in place over the Carolinas. While snow is not uncommon in the region during the winter months, the combination of factors leading to this event has forecasters predicting a more significant snowfall than usual.

Residents are urged to take precautions and stay informed about the changing weather conditions. Road crews are preparing to treat roads and bridges in anticipation of the wintry weather, but travel may still be hazardous. It’s important for residents to stay off the roads if possible and to exercise caution if they must venture out.

This unexpected snow chance serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of winter weather in North Carolina. It’s always best to be prepared for the unexpected and to stay informed about the latest forecasts and advisories. Stay safe and stay warm, North Carolina!

Tags:

• Bitter cold weather
• Coastal storm
• Snow chance in North Carolina
• Winter storm
• North Carolina weather
• Unique snow event
• Severe weather alert
• Snow forecast
• Cold front approaching
• Winter weather advisory

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