Raleigh residents, it's time to unpack the winter gear as a significant winter storm gears up to whiten your weekend. According to the National Weather Service in Raleigh, NC, while today's skies remain clear, a looming winter blitz is expected to bring a mélange of snow, sleet, and freezing rain come Saturday, with a chance of hazardous precipitation continuing into early next week.
The current forecast indicates a calm stretch of weather with today's temperatures reaching a mild high near 49°F, followed by an uptick to 59°F on Thursday, thus far, the weekend storm is slated to start with rain on Friday before morphing into a wintry mix that could hamper travel and outdoor plans, snow is mainly expected after 1pm on Saturday, with the mercury falling to a frigid 28°F, the likelihood of precipitation hovers at an assertive 80%, ensuring that some sort of flaky disruption is in store.
By Saturday night, residents should ready their shovels and salt as the forecast promises a 100% chance of snow before 1am, then snow and sleet, potentially heavy at times, this unpleasant arrangement looks to cap off with freezing rain after 1pm on Sunday, keeping the high well below freezing at 27°F. It seems that Raleigh, along with neighboring NC counties, is in for a bout of real winter weather, complete with all the trimmings of slick roads and icicle-adorned trees.
As the cold snap tightens its grip, temperatures are predicted to plunge dramatically, peaking at a meager 33°F on Monday, followed by a nose-diving low of 8°F Monday night while Tuesday offers a glimpse of respite with sunny skies and a high near 32°F, residents should prepare for "dangerously cold temperatures" throughout the weekend and into the early week, with the National Weather Service urging North Carolinians to stay vigilant and keep abreast of the latest weather developments.
