Eastern Carolinas Face 40–60% Risk of Moderate Winter Weather Impacts This Weekend as Storm Track Remains Uncertain
NORTH CAROLINA & SOUTH CAROLINA — A newly released winter weather risk product from NOAA and the National Weather Service shows a meaningful chance of moderate winter weather impacts across the eastern Carolinas this weekend, with probabilities ranging from 40% to 60% depending on location.
Forecasters stress that while exact snowfall or ice amounts are still too early to determine, the potential for travel disruptions and hazardous driving conditions is becoming clearer as the system draws closer.
NOAA Winter Risk Map Highlights Eastern Carolinas
According to the early Tuesday morning update, the highest probabilities are focused along eastern North Carolina, where the risk of moderate impacts reaches around 60%. Portions of central coastal areas are highlighted at approximately 50%, while areas farther southwest show a 40% probability of similar impacts.
Moderate winter weather impacts typically include difficult driving conditions, localized road closures, and potential disruptions to daily travel, especially during peak commuting hours.
Storm Track Will Determine Final Impacts
Meteorologists emphasize that the storm track remains the deciding factor in how impactful this system becomes. The forecast hinges on whether the system follows a narrow, favorable “Goldilocks” path that would allow winter precipitation to overlap with cold air across the region.
A slight shift north or south could dramatically change outcomes, ranging from limited impacts to a more disruptive event for parts of eastern North Carolina and coastal South Carolina.
Travel and Infrastructure Could Be Affected
If moderate impacts materialize, residents could experience hazardous road conditions, slower travel times, and isolated infrastructure issues. Even small amounts of wintry precipitation in the Carolinas can quickly create problems due to limited road treatment and rapid temperature changes.
Officials are advising residents to stay alert for updates, especially those with weekend travel plans or work schedules that require early-morning driving.
More Updates Expected Later Today
Forecasters note that confidence will increase as additional data comes in, with a more detailed forecast expected later today once the storm’s track becomes clearer. Until then, snowfall or ice totals being shared online should be treated cautiously, as impacts—not amounts—are the primary concern at this stage.
For continued updates, local impact breakdowns, and clear explanations as the forecast evolves, stay with CabarrusWeekly, where we track developing weather threats and what they mean for communities across the Carolinas.
