Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and East Tennessee Face Multi-Day Winter Storm as Arctic Cold Deepens and Snow Totals Climb Into the Weekend
VIRGINIA — A widespread winter storm is increasingly likely across the southern and central Appalachians late Friday through Saturday night, as persistent Arctic cold combines with a developing storm system capable of producing significant snowfall, dangerous travel conditions, and prolonged sub-freezing temperatures across multiple states.
National Weather Service offices have issued Winter Storm Watches for a broad portion of western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina, southwest Virginia, and northeast Tennessee, with impacts expected to begin Friday afternoon and intensify through Saturday night.
Winter Storm Watch Issued as Snow Potential Continues to Increase
According to National Weather Service guidance, a Winter Storm Watch is now in effect from 4 p.m. Friday through late Saturday night for much of western North Carolina and the western Carolinas Piedmont, extending into southwest Virginia and northeast Tennessee.
Forecasters warn that significant snowfall accumulations are becoming increasingly likely, with difficult and potentially hazardous travel expected across mountain corridors, foothills, and portions of the Interstate 77 and Interstate 26 regions.
Snow Timing: Late Friday Through Saturday
Snow is expected to develop Friday afternoon, initially becoming widespread Friday evening and overnight, especially east of Interstate 75 and across the southern Appalachians.
Periods of steady snow are forecast to persist through Saturday, with the heaviest accumulations occurring during the Friday night to Saturday morning window.
Forecast Snowfall Totals Show Clear Regional Differences
Based on the latest storm-total snowfall projections:
- Southwest Virginia & Northern North Carolina Foothills:
4 to 6 inches, with localized higher amounts at elevation - Charlotte Metro, Salisbury, Concord, Rock Hill, Chester:
6 to 8 inches possible, representing one of the higher-impact zones - Western North Carolina Mountains (Asheville, Marion, Burnsville):
3 to 6 inches, with localized enhancement along ridge lines - Upstate South Carolina (Greenville, Spartanburg, Gaffney):
3 to 6 inches - Northeast Georgia & Southern Upstate SC:
2 to 4 inches, tapering southward
These totals may continue to adjust as the system approaches, but confidence is increasing that this will be a primarily snow-driven event, not ice or sleet.
Arctic Cold Wave Intensifies Ahead of the Storm
The incoming winter storm will arrive while a strong Arctic air mass remains entrenched across the region.
High temperatures on Thursday and Friday are running more than 10 degrees below normal, with many locations struggling to reach the upper 30s and low 40s, even during the afternoon.
Dangerous Cold and Wind Chills This Weekend
Behind the storm system, dangerously cold air will persist into the weekend:
- Wind chills near zero expected at times Saturday and Sunday
- Higher elevations could see wind chills 10 to 20 degrees below zero
- Prolonged cold increases the risk of hypothermia, frozen pipes, and infrastructure strain
Officials urge residents to limit outdoor exposure and take cold-weather precautions seriously.
Black Ice and Travel Hazards Likely Before and After Snowfall
Before snowfall even begins, patchy black ice remains a concern during early morning hours due to lingering moisture and sub-freezing temperatures.
Once snow accumulates, untreated roads, bridges, and mountain passes could become dangerous or impassable, particularly during overnight periods.
What Residents Should Prepare For
- Hazardous travel Friday night through Saturday
- Snow-covered roads and reduced visibility
- Extended cold lasting beyond the snowfall
- Possible delays or closures across the region
Residents are advised to monitor local forecasts closely, avoid unnecessary travel during peak storm periods, and prepare for several days of winter weather impacts.
WaldronNews Weather Update
This winter storm remains an evolving situation. Additional watches or warnings may be issued as confidence in snowfall amounts increases.
Stay with WaldronNews for continued updates, refined snowfall forecasts, and localized impact reports as the storm approaches.